The Petroushka Ball is a Black Tie charity ball held annually since 1965 to benefit the Russian Children’s Welfare Society's charitable programs.
56th Petroushka Ball, February 6, 2026
The Plaza Hotel, Grand Ballroom & Terrace Room
We would like to thank our sponsors and patrons for supporting the 56th Petroushka Ball. This year it was especially important because of the RCWS’s 100 anniversary and bringing the Petroushka Ball back after a 5-year hiatus.
A Special Thank you to the event sponsors NetCost Market, NAVADA, Clarins Group, Davidoff Law, The Jewel of Russia, Steinway & Sons, and others.
SPECIAL GUEST STARS
Oksana Volkova, mezzo-soprano
Berj Karazian, tenor
Alisa Sadikova, harpist
Appeared by kind permission of the New York City Opera
Music by The Lester Lanin Orchestra, Barynya Balalaika Orchestra
Dress Code: Strictly White or Black Tie, Long Ball Gowns
Age Requirement: 21 y.o. and up
The net proceeds were designated to assist the Russian language and culture schools in the US. RCWS is a 501 c 3 US non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law (EID #: 13-5562332).
All tickets sales are final and non-refundable.
Past Petroushka Ball events have featured leading soloists of the Metropolitan Opera, the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Bolshoi Theater, and other prominent companies. Among the opera stars who appeared at the Petroushka Ball by kind permission of the Metropolitan Opera are Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Elena Obraztsova, Ildar Abdrazakov, Elina Garanca, Matthew Polenzani, Nadine Sierra, Diana Damrau, Piotr Beszala, Kristine Opolais, Francesco Demuro, Olga Borodina, Rolando Villazon, Brandon Jovanovich, Kate Lindzey, Rodion Pogossov, Oksana Dyka, Paul Groves, Serena Malfi, Ben Bliss, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Sergey Semishkur, Lyubov Petrova, Maia Kovalevska, and others.
If you would like to be more involved in sponsorship, organizing or volunteering at the Petroushka Ball, please contact us at main@rcws.org.
To join our email list for updates about the annual Petroushka Ball, email to main@rcws.org.
Help us spread the word! Join RCWS community on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @PetroushkaBall
PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE 2020 PETROUSHKA BALL, photos by Maike Schulz
The professional-quality portraits by Roman Makhmutov from the 55th Petroushka Ball are available on-line.
NOTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
By attending the Petroushka Ball, you are entering an area where photography may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to photography, and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes by the Russian Children’s Welfare Society (RCWS), including on websites, social media, or any other purpose by RCWS.
Images and photos may be used to promote similar RCWS events in the future, highlight the event and promote the activities of RCWS. You release RCWS, its officers, directors and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, digitizing, or publication and use of any photographs taken at the Petroushka Ball.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Since its inception in 1965, the Petroushka Ball has been one of New York's most elegant charitable events, attended by over 700 guests.
The success of the Petroushka Ball is contingent upon the renewed participation of local and international businesses, as well as RCWS’ patrons. Support RCWS' charitable programs and be a part of the Petroushka Ball legacy by purchasing tickets to the Ball, placing advertisements in the Petroushka Ball journal, supplying raffle prizes or products for event gift bags, or by generously making a donation.
Additionally, sponsorship of the Petroushka Ball is a great way to entertain clients and employees, network with prominent businesses while enjoying an exciting evening. The annual Petroushka Ball traditionally includes a Raffle with wonderful prizes and a group of children in Slavic costumes assisting with selling the raffle tickets. Supplying auction, raffle prizes or products for the gift bags and contributing advertisements to the event journal present an effective opportunity for corporate visibility and brand awareness for your products or service.
RCWS is a 501(c)3 US non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
100% of the net proceeds from the 56th Petroushka Ball will be directed towards the RCWS educational programs in the US.
To learn more about the Sponsorship Opportunities, please visit and contact the office at main@rcws.org or 212-473-6263 for information regarding sponsorships, ads, auction, raffle & gift bag items, or other contributions.
Thank you for your generous support and patronage!
