Frequently-Asked Questions
Who is invited?
Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the новый год – the Russian New Year – in Slavic style. Young and old. Bring your friends, bring your family. And bring the kids! There is something for everyone to enjoy.
And, new this year, attendees are welcome to join us for a Singles Mingle from 7 to 7:30 p.m. in the bar area. No pressure – just good company and the chance to find a new dance partner, or simply a new friend, before dancing is in full swing.
What kind of dancing is there?
The Novogodny Ball features the Kauriga Orchestra as the main attraction for the evening. This group plays traditional ballroom dances, slow dances, and polkas, as well as lively ethnic dances.
For the younger crowd, we also feature current dance music between the live orchestra sets. Many of our guests are on the dance floor all night long.
Our attendees enjoy this unique opportunity to practice their skills at Slavic dances including the troika, korobeiniki, kokanochka, karapet, and pas d’espagne. The evening traditionally ends with the hopak (or kozachok), where our attendees show off their physical prowess through acrobatic kicks, jumps, spins, and twists on the dance floor.
Where is the Ball held?
In 2026, the Ball will be held at Canstatter’s.
When is the Ball this year?
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Dinner begins at 5:30pm
Singles Mingle begins at 7:00pm in the bar area
Dancing begins at 7:30pm
How much does it cost?
Please see pricing here. Be sure to take advantage of Early Bird pricing if you can. The event planners have heard feedback from past years and are pleased to keep pricing as low as possible for attendees.
Where can I stay?
Rooms have been reserved at the
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia NE-Bensalem
1329 Bristol Pike
Bensalem, PA 19020
http://www.hiebensalem.com
The reserved room rate is $139 plus tax, and includes breakfast. Call 215-245-5222 and request the group rate for St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church. The rate will be reserved through Friday, December 26, 2025. After this date, it depends on availability.
What else can I expect from this event?
FUNDRAISING
The Ball is a fundraiser for St. Stephens OCF Chapter #82. Their goal is to raise money for deserving Orthodox Christian charities. There is a basket raffle at the Ball, so bring your generosity to the event!
DINING
You can opt in to the dinner, or just come for the dancing. There will be coffee, tea, and light ethnic desserts available throughout the evening. You can also purchase appetizer-style refreshments from the food window at Cannstatter’s if you work up an appetite from dancing all night.
Additionally, there is a cash bar.
NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES
At the end of the evening, the crowd gathers on the dance floor to ring in the “new year.” We start with the hopak, Then, after a countdown with the band, a flurry of balloons falls from the ceiling. Some of the balloons have cash inside. (Hurry, grab one and pop it to see if you got a prize!) The orchestra plays a Mummer’s Medley in honor of the Philadelphian heritage of our event and our guests. The evening ends to the tune of God Bless America.
novogodnyball.com 