River Court Autumn Ball

When

Saturday, 5 September 2026

Where

VPK:n talo, Eskelinkatu 5, 20100 Turku

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What to expect

The elves and fae of the River Court welcome you to celebrate the beginning of the autumn season to the banks of River Aura, in Turku, Finland. Enjoy the themed programme, dance under the chandeliers, and immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere.

The venue is a nouveau renaissance style palace — Turku Auxiliary Fire Corps' dance hall — which will transform into a fantasy court for just one night. Within the walls of the ballroom, all kinds of fantastical beings (and humans too) will party together and forget about the worries of the mundane world for a while. Come dressed as your favourite fantasy character, or choose an otherwise theme-appropriate formal outfit, and join your like-minded fellow guests.

The River Court offers you the chance to dance both historical and more modern dances, in groups, in pairs, or by yourself. There will be themed programme and performances throughout the evening, and a selection of cocktail snacks available. Later in the evening, the court atmosphere gives way to a more nightclub-esque space for dancing into the wee hours.

The event is for adults only (18+). The event ends at 1 am.

The event languages are Finnish and English.

Performers

Elvann

Elvann is a Canadian born harpist and singer living in Helsinki. She has been a professional musician for over 15 years. Her instrument is an electric harp and she performs covers of melodic metal and video game music.

At the ball of the Rivercourt, Elvann will indulge us with her amazing, unique soundscapes she creates with her harp, effect pedals and improvisation.

Her music will lead us into the fantasy world of Avalonia and set the celebratory atmosphere of the Rivercourt.

MDS Raqset Amar

Photo: Soumik Datta @soumik_photos

MDS Raqset Amar

MDS Raqset Amar is a dance ensemble from the Turku based Moon Dance Studio. This ensemble is not afraid to dive into adventures! They have ventured into the landscapes of the Orient, ancient Greece and the Americas. This autumn they will also visit the magical land of Avalonia.

At the ball of the Rivercourt, Raqset Amar will assist us in enticing Elo to join the festivities, as Elo is bound to fall in love with the beautiful and atmospheric choreographies of the dancers. Provided that everything goes well with Elo, we might even be invited to the dance…

Riverside Castle Choir

Riverside Castle is a Turku based (mostly) female choir, which was founded in 2014. This “choir of nerds” specialises in popular culture, taking inspiration from the world of movies, tv-series and videogames.

The guests of the Rivercourt will get to experience a collection of songs tailored to the atmosphere of the ball and made to delight Elo as well.

Circus of the night court

Circus of the night court

The performing circus group of Turku Art Academy

The mythical circus of the night court will grace us with their presence and participate in the ball of the River court, celebrating Elo. Their mythical creatures will dance among the guests, inviting them to join in. The dance floor will transform into a whole new universe as the will-o’-the-wisps shine their lights upon us.

The third year circus students of the Turku Art Academy will bring a piece of circus magic to the ball. The enchanting dance of the Night court will entice the gaze of the spectators, bringing a bit more magic to the evening.

Nera

Nera

Master of Ceremonies

Terve hyvä juhlakansa!

Nimeni on Nera ja on iloni ja kunniani saada toimia illan puhuvana päänä ja seremoniamestarina.

Luvallanne, kerron itsestäni muutaman tiedonmurusen. Tulen kaukaisesta linnakaupungista, Raseborgista, missä tämänkaltaisia juhlia ei ole näkynyt vuosikausiin. Näihin kemuihin pääsin ystäväni kummin, kaiman serkunlapsen isotädin suosituksesta, sillä verukkeella, että teen töitä.

Arkipuhteeni on asiakaspalvelun maailmassa, mutta mielekkäämpää on käsillä luominen, kotisuden paimennus ja kukkaketojen istutus.

DJ Myra de la Muerte

DJ Myra de la Muerte

Myra de la Muerte on helsinkiläinen ompelija ja DJ.

Hänen settinsä kasaantuvat energisistä ja tanssittavista kappaleista, joiden joukkoon ujuttautuu yleensä ainakin yksi jokerikappale hämmentämään pakkaa. Viime aikoina se on ollut usein toivottu Abbey Luckin Teletubbies (Darkwave Version).

Myra on soittanut Club Anvilissa (Helsinki), Maldrorossa (Turku), erinäisissä yksityisissä tapahtumissa ja vuonna 2026 ystävänsä kanssa perustamassaan Disco de la Muerte -klubissa (Helsinki).

Myran toteemieläimenä toimii rengashäntämaki Kuningas Julien.

Np. Valencia Grace - Voodoo

Tickets

The ticket price includes:

  • the unique ball experience in elegant surroundings
  • cloakroom fee
  • a glass of sparkly as a welcome toast
  • a selection of cocktail snacks from a buffet
  • historical and fantastical dances (with a dance leader to guide you)
  • several themed performances throughout the evening
  • nightclub style dancing and informal mingling in the later hours
  • photos by the official event photographer
  • photobooth / -wall for your own photos

There is a cash bar serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the venue.

Finnish VAT and Lippu.light ticket sales service fee included.

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Dress code and outfit ideas

The dress code is fantasy-themed formal attire.

Draw inspiration from fantasy and fairy-tale worlds — films, series, and the styles described in novels.

Typically, a fantasy ball brings to mind long evening gowns and ball dresses, formal wear from historical periods, elven ears, elaborate jewellery, and perhaps props or dramatic make-up effects such as wings, horns, or pointed teeth.

The theme of the River Court Autumn Ball is a generic fantasy court, so interpretations can be wonderfully varied. Among the guests you might find elves, fae, warriors, vampires, merfolk, hobbits… And in many fantasy worlds there are also perfectly ordinary humans — or beings who look very much like humans — in the mix.

At its simplest, you might hire a ball gown and dress it up with jewellery or flowers — your character, your story. We will not be measuring the length of your hem or your train, checking how tight your corset is, imposing period requirements on your tailcoat, or policing whether your outfit was made to measure or assembled from your own wardrobe with a little imagination. What matters most to us is that you throw yourself into the fantasy from your own celebratory angle, and interpret it in a way that lets you dance and celebrate in (at least relative) comfort all evening!

When planning your outfit, give some thought to footwear too. We hope the festive spirit shows from head to toe — but you are also here to dance through the night.

Inspiration

For outfit ideas and a feel for the atmosphere, take a look at some international events — their social media accounts give a sense of the atmosphere we are aiming for at the River Court Autumn Ball too. Follow for example these accounts on Instagram:

Practical information

Good to know

The cocktail snacks we will be serving are more in the style of a light snack rather than a hearty meal. We therefore advise enjoying a proper dinner before the ball.

The main doors to the venue will open at 17.45. Tickets are checked digitally at the entrance. The main doors will be locked once the event's programme begins. If you arrive late, you can enter via the side entrance — the door staff will check your ticket there.

Additional programme

We will keep you updated about a possible dance workshop before the event; if it goes ahead, it will have a small attendance fee. We are also working on offering extra programme on Friday 4 September with the help of our collaborators — such as a small fantasy-themed market. These activities are separate from the ball itself, but are intended to get you in the mood and give you a chance to meet people; participation is entirely voluntary. We will share more details as plans are confirmed.

Accessibility and inclusivity

The event venue is accessible for people with physical disabilities. There is an elevator to all floors and a wheelchair accessible ramp at the side entrance.

Many guests will be wearing long, formal gowns and even outfits with trains. Please be mindful of your surroundings when moving about the venue, so that everyone can move safely and with care.

The event is, by its core values, inclusive, equal, and community-minded. Everyone is welcome to be who they are — or who they choose to portray during the ball — exactly as they are. The venue's restrooms will be marked gender neutral for the evening.

Each and every guest has the right to remain untouched and we do not accept any inappropriate, harmful, or discriminative conduct. Always make sure it is ok to touch or take a photo, and do not assume anything about anyone.

There is a named contact person for any harassment concerns, should anyone feel they have been harassed. Good manners and consideration for others ensure a wonderful evening for everyone.

Getting to Turku and the venue

Turku is easy to reach by public transport. Both the main railway station and the bus terminal are a short walk from the city centre, where the venue is located at Eskelinkatu 5.

International guests can fly to Helsinki or Turku. There are also ferry connections from Stockholm to Turku.

For guests arriving by car, there is street parking near the venue, for example on Ursininkatu, Eerikinkatu, Yliopistonkatu, and Käsityöläiskatu. Parking in Turku is paid during the day; in the evenings some spaces are free. Always check the zone you are parking in.

The underground car parks P-Louhi and Toriparkki in the city centre are open around the clock. Parking there is always paid; accepted payment methods include parking apps and payment cards. Further details can be found on the car parks' own websites.

Accommodation

Several hotels are within walking distance of the venue. The closest, Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone, is directly across the street from VPK's dance hall. The River Court Autumn Ball has a partnership agreement and a block of discounted hotel rooms with Sokos Hotel Seurahuone.

A block of 20 hotel rooms has been reserved at Solo Sokos Hotel at discounted rates for guests of the River Court Autumn Ball for the night of 5–6 September 2026. The rooms accommodate one or two guests; some have a double bed.

The offer rates — 125 € for a single room and 145 € for a double room — are valid for bookings made before 29 August 2026 at 16:30, subject to availability. When booking, please quote the code "Jokihovin syystanssiaiset". The online booking code is BJOKIHOVI.

The room rate includes a generous hotel breakfast, access to the guest sauna, wireless internet (Wi-Fi), and VAT.

Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone reserves the right to change prices.

Room reservations made from the block must be confirmed with a credit card or paid in advance at the time of booking.

The last free cancellation date for a block reservation is 4 days before the arrival date.

The hotel primarily recommends booking by phone or online.

Each guest is responsible for their own accommodation costs. Accepted payment methods are cash, debit card, or credit card.

Please note that for data protection reasons, credit card details must not be sent by email.

Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone Humalistonkatu 2 20100 Turku Tel. 010 786 4000

Individual room reservations Open: weekdays Mon–Fri 8:30–16:30 Phone: +358 300 870 000 Email: sokos.hotels@sok.fi Please quote the code Jokihovin syystanssiaiset when booking.

www.sokoshotels.fi – Online booking code BJOKIHOVI

Radisson Blu Marina Palace is a few minutes' walk away (within sight of the venue).

There are also other hotels in the city centre. Almost all of them are within a few minutes' walk of the venue. Scandic chain hotels Sokos Hotels Boutique hotel Park Hotel Centro Hotel Forenom Aparthotel Turku Omena Hotel Humalistonkatu Omena Hotel Kauppiaskatu

There are also several bed & breakfast style accommodation options — listings can be found on, for example, Booking.com.

It is also worth exploring Airbnb, perhaps if travelling as a group of friends.

Read our event safety guidelines →

Tickets

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