Germany's most prestigious ball is the Semper Opera Ball in Dresden, held on January 26, 2018. The 2,500-guest event brings together celebrities and members of high-society, and is even broadcast live to thousands of spectators outside the opera house. One highlight is the opening choreographed performance by 100 debutantes, pictured here.

One of the first balls of the season takes place on November 24. The German Press Ball welcomes some 2,500 politicians, media representatives and celebrities to its annual ball in Berlin. Pictured are German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière, his wife Martina, and former German President Gauck with his partner Daniela Schadt. The ball was held in Bonn for many years but moved to Berlin in 1999.

While the German Press and Semper Opera Balls include charity raffles, the Sport Ball in Wiesbaden was designed to raise money for the foundation that financially supports high-performance athletes in Germany. Former German Foreign Minister (now President) Frank-Walter Steinmeier is pictured with his wife Elke Büdenbender at the event, which will draw some 1,600 invited guests on February 3, 2018.

Former German ski jumper and gold-medalist Sven Hannawald is pictured here with his girlfriend Melissa at the 2016 Sport Ball in Wiesbaden. Proceeds from the ball go to the Deutsche Sporthilfe, a private organization that financially supports Germany's high-performance athletes so they can pursue their athletic careers full-time.

While a handful of important balls are held in Germany, Vienna is by far Europe's ball hub, holding dozens each year. The most famous among them is the Vienna Opera Ball, which dates back two centuries and is next scheduled for February 8, 2018. Here, the dress code is strict: long gowns for women and tails for men. Pictured is the highly anticipated debutante performance of the Viennese waltz.

Kim Kardashian clearly didn't participate as a debutante, but she was a guest at the Vienna Opera Ball in 2014, which regularly draws top stars — because Austrian business man Richard Lugner (right) pays them. Kardashian later complained that Lugner was treating her poorly and that a comedian in blackface tried to imitate her now-husband Kanye West. It was likely Kim's last ball visit.

Not all balls are simply merry events. The right-wing populist FPÖ party took over the organization of the Vienna Academic Ball in 2013. Previously known as the Ball of the Viennese Union of the Incorporated, the event's connections to far-right politicians from around Europe has drawn protests for years. Not only debutantes, but also Viennese police will stand ready on January 26, 2018.

Nearly a century old, the Hunters' Ball in Vienna is unique because guests show up in traditional garb: dirndls for the ladies and hunters' suits for the men. The event was founded in 1905 by the Green Cross charity organization to support hunters' and their families who were in need. The next edition takes place on January 29, 2018.

The next Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball takes place on January 27, 2018. This year's theme is "Viennese Blood," inspired by a famous song by Austrian singer Falco. Like other traditional Viennese balls, this one observes the custom of the "Damenspende," where the organizers give the ladies a gift. The present used to be a decorative dance card, but is now a party favor.

When Adolf Freiherr von Knigge wrote "Über den Umgang mit Menschen" ("Practical Philosophy of Social Life") in 1788, he aimed to provide guidelines for social skills, and probably didn't expect to be associated with good table manners. Today, the name Knigge is synonymous with etiquette in Germany. Here are a few of his recommendations that could be still be useful for various social events.

Getting dressed for a fancy ball can be stressful. Knigge offers a diplomatic solution: "Let your dress be neither above nor beneath you situation; not above nor beneath your fortune; not fantastical nor too gay, nor ostentatiously sumptuous, splendid and extravagant." It can, however, be expected that a few guests at the German Press Ball might not follow this rule.

Once you've chosen your tux or gown, you can get ready to mingle. Knigge offers tips for small talk at the event: "Take care not to speak too much of yourself if your friends out of civility should turn the conversation upon your person, your publications and similar subjects."

Knigge reminds us that slimy flatterers are just as inappropriate as conversational narcissists. He advises, for example: It is "extremely degrading for any man to act the mean part of a low flatterer, who by cringing adulation infatuates vain people in such a degree as to render them averse to hear any thing but praise."

Knigge wouldn't approve of those who continuously pat themselves on the back and brag about their possessions. He recommends: "Speak also not too loudly of your prosperity, nor display too much splendor, wealth and genius. There are but few who will behold such a superiority without murmuring and envy."

Don't learn jokes by heart, says Knigge: "A person that constantly hunts after witticisms and shows that he has studied to amuse the company, will please only for a short time and interest but a few. [...] True humor and genuine wit cannot be forced nor produced by art and mental toils; but they are felt like the presence of a celestial being, creating pleasure, congenial warmth and secret awe."

Did you see that dress? If you want to badmouth, at least do it discreetly, advised Knigge in 1788: "If you want to talk to your friend about someone who's present at a social event, consider that whispering in the ear is indecent, and at least be cautious enough not to look at the person you're gossiping about while you're doing it."

Illustrious guests have been invited to the German Press Ball on Friday. If you meet a creative young talent, Knigge advises to choose your words carefully: "Encourage the young artist by modest applause, but never flatter nor praise him immoderately, for this spoils most of them." Knigge wrote a whole chapter about dealing with scholars and artists in his 1788 manual.

At the German Press Ball, celebrities and politicians (like former Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his wife (left) expect to be able to enjoy their champagne without being aggressively interviewed by journalists. Knigge's advice on the matter is that you should avoid serious issues at such an event: "We must understand the art of conversing with our guests on such subjects only as give them pleasure."