Black Rose Ball 2025 2025
Location: The Hospitium, Museum Gardens Museum Street York YO30 7DR
Description: The Black Rose Ball returns for a unique All Hallows' Eve gathering at the Hospitium, in the Museum Gardens. This spectral soirée will unfold within the alluring embrace of the spectacular 14th-century building on the eve of Friday 31 October 2025.
York, a city steeped in ancient beauty, is even more enchanting during Halloween, offering an array of spooky delights. A perfect occasion to linger in the city for a weekend of Halloween mischief.
This year the ball offers two ticket types.
Reception & Ball
- Limited number of tickets to join the drinks reception at 17:00
- Early access before the ball starts at 18:00
- A Black Rose cocktail (or mocktail)
- Early entry to the Black Rose Bazaar
- £2 from each ticket will donated to charity
Ball only
- Entry to the Black Rose Ball, and the Black Rose Bazaar from 18:00
- £2 from each ticket will donated to charity
Music
Dance the night away to the best of Goth/ Dark Wave/ Dark Electro/ Mittelalter, provided by DJs Victoria Fenbane (Slimelight, Shattenspiel, Exit the Grey), Rosenkavalier (Tanz Macabre) and Doktor Joy(Intrusion) in the downstairs stone walled medieval hall.
Black Rose Bazaar
The Black Rose Bazaar will be located upstairs in the seating area showcasing a carefully selected number of excellent traders.
Bar
The well-stocked bar will be provided by Bradshaws Event Catering.
Food
There will be a selection of food stalls in the Museum Garden on the evening.
Ghost tours
The Deathly Dark Tours will provide spine tingling ghost tours through the Museum Gardens (tickets sold separately; booking information will be sent to all ticket holders).
Dark Story Telling
Femme Fatale Faerytales & Tales of Britain and Ireland will hold a unique performance in the Storytelling Garden beside the The Hospitium in the heart of York's Museum Gardens. Immerse yourself in the magical world of faerytales and folklore and enjoy a spellbinding performance, captivating storytelling, and a touch of dark magick (tickets sold separately; booking information will be sent to all ticket holders).
Flowers & Event Styling
The beautiful flowers and event styling will again be provided by the fantastic Fleur Adamo.
Dress code
For the last 10 gatherings the Black Rose Ball has been a gothic masquerade ball. The masquerade element will no longer be in place this year but the ball remains a highly elegant and extravagant event; the unique opportunity to wear the outfit of your darkest, most glamorous, dreams.
To ensure all guests feel comfortable to get creative in elaborate attire there is dress code policy for entry, which is formal, elegant, gothic and alternative. Although there is no strict policing, the right of admission is reserved if guests are not suitably attired.
For inspiration, or guidance, on what outfits are appropriate, have a look at images from past gatherings on Instagram or Facebook.
Arrival & door staff
Entrance to the Museum Gardens will be through the gate on Museum Street. The space will be managed by York Venues. The event ends at the stroke of midnight.
There will be NO tickets for sale on the door. Age 18+ Right of Admission strictly applies.
Venue & accessability
The Hospitium is a beautiful unique medieval building but also provides modern conveniences. The toilets are on the first floor but there is lift access.
There are clearly marked path ways through the Museum Gardens but if you wish to wander off those, please be aware that grounds are often uneven in places.
A cloakroom is available but all items are left at your own risk.
Fundraising
£2 of each ticket sold, along with money raised on the night, will be donated to Parkinson's UK. It is always a difficult decision to select a charity for the ball each year, as there are so many worthy causes to choose from. This is a cause that has personal meaning to me and whose research is invaluable in a time when Parkinson's is on the rise.
Image & Model: A huge thank you to the wonderful Lady Amaranth (and her husband, Tim), who donated her time, and skills, to provide another lovely flyer images this year. Lady Amaranth will also be in attendance again this year.
Flyer Design: A big thank you to the lovely Sophie Niamh Evans at domina_ex_mortis for creating the flyer.
More Information: Masquerade Ball
