2024 St. Andrew's Charity Ball

The St. Andrew's Charity Ball is an annual celebration of Scottish-Canadian culture. Attendees have been enjoying this elegant evening of music, dance and cuisine for well over 100 years. The 2024 Ball will take place on Saturday, November 16.

Charitable Giving

All funds raised from the Ball will benefit the St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation. The Society was originally founded in 1836 to support Scottish immigrants that had fallen on hard times. The Foundation has continued these good works by supporting worthy causes across the city. Over $1 million has been donated to local charities over the past 15 years.

The Venue

The Charity Ball will once again be held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. The first Ball at the Royal York took place in November of 1929. The luxurious new hotel had just opened in June of that year.

The Royal York was home to the Charity Ball for decades. After a few years at other locations, the event made a triumphant return in 2023. Attendees were thrilled to once again dine and dance in the Canadian Room. Photos from the 2023 Charity Ball can be seen here.

The Schedule

The evening will begin at 6:00pm with a cocktail reception. This will be followed by dinner (haggis included) from 7:00-9:00pm. Guests will retire to the lounge area for drinks and socializing at the dinner's conclusion. Dancing will begin at 10:00pm after the room is changed over. Festivities will continue until 1:30am.

Entertainment

The St. Andrew's Society hosts the Charity Ball in partnership with 48th Highlanders of Canada. As per tradition, the regiment’s Pipes & Drums will provide all the music for the evening’s dancing.

A key focus in 2024 will be on how Ball attendees can help the 48th recognize an important milestone. A contingent from the regiment will be traveling to Europe in 2025 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the 48th’s role in the Liberation of Holland during World War Two. Assuming enough funds can be raised, the 48th Highlanders Pipes & Drums will once again march into Apeldoorn on May 5, 2025.

Attendees can also look forward to seeing Highlandin6 Dancers over the course of the evening. These dynamic young performers always steal the show.

Dress Code

The Charity Ball is one of the few remaining black-tie events in the city. It is an evening of high fashion with elegant gowns and clan tartans on attendees of all ages. Some opt for tuxedos in lieu of traditional Highland Dress.

Those looking to get outfitted for the Ball should contact William Glen & Son. They have a wide variety of tartans, sashes, kilts and other accessories. For over 20 years, they have offered Ball goers a Full Highland Rental for $99 (regular $175). This offer excludes dress shirt and hose.

Dinner Menu

The 2024 dinner menu will be announced in the Fall. A vegetarian meal can be selected as an option during the purchase process. Dietary restrictions can also be noted at that time.

A vegetarian meal can be selected as an option for each guest during the purchase process. Dietary restrictions can also be noted at that time.

Ticket Options

There are three types of tickets available for the Charity Ball. All tickets must be purchased one week before the event in order to help with planning. The sales window will close at 11:59pm ET on Saturday, November 9.

• A Dinner & Dancing Ticket may be purchased for $250. This price will allow one person access to the entire evening.
• A Table Package may be purchased for groups of 8, 9 or 10. The package comes with a table beverage credit for wine or cocktails ($10 credit per ticket).
• An $80 Cèilidh Ticket is available for those who wish to come after dinner. This ticket is ideal for those who only wish to go to the dancing portion. Ceilidh ticket holders may begin arriving after 9 pm.

Guests who are not part of a full table may request who they would like to sit with at the time of purchase. All seating will be arranged by the Ball Committee. Best efforts will be made to honour all seating requests.

Please note that ticket prices do not include Eventbrite fees. A tax receipt for a portion of the ticket proceeds will be issued after the event for purchasers requesting one. Those looking to purchase tables via cheque or e-tranfer are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] for further instructions.

Accommodations

Ball attendees must make their own arrangements for overnight stays. There is no special pricing or dedicated room block with the Royal York Hotel.

Please be aware that Taylor Swift is performing at the Rogers Centre on the same night as the Ball. This has driven up the price and decreased the availability of accommodations across the city.

Dance Practices

A list of all the dances for the night will be provided in the Ball program. Everyone who purchases a ticket for the Charity Ball will be eligible to attend dance practices leading into the event. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, this is a great opportunity to get ready for the Ball. Practices will be held at the following times and locations:

• Tuesday, October 29th (8-10pm) - Moss Park Armoury (130 Queen St. East)
• Tuesday, November 5th (8-10pm) - Moss Park Armoury
• Tuesday, November 12th (8-10pm) - Moss Park Armoury
• TBC - Glenview Presbyterian Church (1 Glenview Ave.)

Dance Order

The order of the dances and the instructors for the ceilidh practices will be released in the Fall.

Contact Us

Any Ball related questions can be directed to [email protected] . We look forward to celebrating with you on November 16th!

Host or Publisher St. Andrew's Society