Masquerade Ball

The Royal Maritime Hotel is hosting a masquerade ball in its Trafalgar Ballroom on Friday 31 July, starting at 7:00pm and running until late. It's a one-night-only thing, so it's not a regular fixture on the hotel's calendar.

The evening is built around two things: a two-course dinner and live music from the Pink Champagne Swing Band, who they describe as bringing the golden era of swing to life. Once the band has played through, there's dancing to follow, so the night shifts from dinner to the dance floor. The dress code is black tie and masquerade masks, and the hotel is turning the Trafalgar Ballroom into a scene of mystery for the occasion.

There's a charitable side to it, too. All surpluses from the night go to the hotel's work for service personnel and veterans; the Portsmouth Royal Maritime Club is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and a registered charity (No. 1205660). It's not the only thing the venue puts on, though — they also programme New Year's Eve, Christmas Day and Trafalgar Night.

Tickets are £45 per person and include the two-course dinner. The ball is at the Royal Maritime Hotel, 75-80 Queen Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3HS, and it kicks off at 7:00pm on Friday 31 July.