Black Rose Ball 2024

The Black Rose Ball will return once more to the chapel in the Victorian cemetery in York. This chapel is a rare design for the late Victorian period, inspired by the Greek Revival style, and based on the temple of Erectheus in Athens. Set in beautiful cemetery grounds, the chapel is a wonderful venue for the ball. Ball attendees will be free to enjoy the space all to themselves throughout the evening.

Included in the ticket

• Entry to the Black Rose Ball, and the Black Rose Bazaar
• One Black Rose cocktail (or mocktail)
• One raffle ticket to enter the draw for fabulous gothic prizes
• One commemorative sterling silver Black Rose Ball pin, exclusively designed by Jewellery for the 10th anniversary Black Rose Ball, and only available on this evening
• £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 chapel itself.

Black Rose Bazaar

The Black Rose Bazaar will be in the visitor centre, a short walk from the chapel. Arcane Exhibitions will again be styling the bazaar to make it a multi-sensory experience.

Doctor Geof will be on hand to draw portraits; and there will be a small selection of stalls for attendees to peruse. The Black Rose Ball second-hand stall will also be returning this year. More information on all traders will follow on social media.

Raffle

There will be a range of desirable gothic raffle prizes to win, kindly donated by supporters of the ball. Prizes, and information on donors, will be advertised on social media. The draw takes place at 23:30 in the chapel.

Bar
The well-stocked bar will be provided by The Yorkshire Tipsy Trailer; with a mobile bar just outside the chapel.

Food

Fabulous pizzas will be provided by Bistro Guy; with a mobile catering van just within the entrance to the cemetery.

Ghost tours

Dorian Deathly, from The Deathly Dark Tours, will be on hand to walk you through the cemetery and tell you spine tingling tales (tickets sold separately; booking information will be sent to all ticket holders).

Additional story telling

Details to be confirmed (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 wonderful Fleur Adamo.

Dress code

The Black Rose Ball is a gothic masquerade ball, an elegant and extravagant event; a unique opportunity to wear the outfit of your dreams. Masks can be any format, be it the traditional mask, or lace, or veils, or even elaborate make up.

To ensure that all guests feel comfortable to get creative in elaborate attire there is dress code policy for entry, which is formal / elegant / gothic / alternative. Although there is no strict policing, the right of admission is reserved if guests are not suitably attired.

Here is a moodboard for some inspiration - the ball is a wonderful opportunity to dress your best, and show off your style; whilst dancing in the chapel, or promenading along cemetery paths.

Age 18+ Right of Admission reserved.

Arrival & door staff

Guests need to arrive before 7pm, when the gates will be locked (you can exit anytime). There will be no tickets for sale on the door.

Doorstaff will kindly be provided by Andante Group AGL Security Division (in lieu of a donation instead of payment, thank you).

Rain and uneven ground

Please note that the event takes place in two buildings, the chapel and the visitor centre, which are a short open air walk away from each other. If it rains, please bring an umbrella.

Please also note that the cemetery grounds are often uneven in places - please wear sensible footwear and stick to marked pathways.

Accessability

The chapel has an access ramp. The visitor centre is ground floor; and there is an accessible toilet. Toilet facilities are in the visitor centre building.

Cash/cards & timings

The bar, food van, and bazaar will be trading from 18:00-23:00. Card payments will be available but as the wifi can sometimes be erratic on the cemetery grounds, it is worth having cash on hand too.

Fundraising

£2 of each ticket sold, along with money raised on the night, will be donated to charity. The charity this year will be the St Leonard's Hospice. This was the first charity the Black Rose Ball raised funds for and it is fitting to do so again on the 10th ball anniversary. The hospice is an essential local care provider, much loved in the community, and provides excellent care and support.

Donations can also be made to the Black Rose Ball Justgiving page and all donations are most gratefully received.

Image & Model: A huge thank you to the wonderful Lady Amaranth, who donated her time, and skills, to provide some lovely flyer images this year. Lady Amaranth will also be in attendance again this year.

Flyer Design: A big thank you to domina_ex_mortis for creating the flyers.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

York Cemetery, 30 Cemetery Road, York, United Kingdom