Gorey Glam and Gothic Gaiety: The Edwardian Ball Returns to San Francisco
There’s something deliciously subversive about embracing decadence and doom simultaneously, isn’t there? This weekend, San Francisco transforms into a dreamscape of gothic whimsy and eccentric elegance as the Edwardian Ball returns for its 2025 edition this weekend, spanning Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. For the uninitiated, it’s an annual spectacle honoring the twisted genius of Edward Gorey—a man whose illustrations managed to make death chic and morbidity delightful.
Gorey, who passed away in 2000, left behind an artistic legacy that feels even more relevant today. Known for his meticulous black-and-white crosshatched drawings, he populated his works with mischievous children, odd creatures, and plenty of foreboding Victorian aesthetics. You may not realize it, but Gorey’s fingerprints are everywhere: from the stylized gloom of The Addams Family to Tim Burton’s moody, eccentric worlds, and even the queer community’s deep love for all things campy and theatrical.
But the Edwardian Ball isn’t just about Gorey. It’s a full-blown celebration of the weird, the whimsical, and the wildly creative. What started as an intimate gathering back in 1999 has become a carnival of curated chaos. This year’s “Pop-Up Edition” feels particularly special—leaning into spontaneity while holding onto its immersive theatrics. Imagine an entire building brimming with performers, artists, and partygoers, all dressed in their best Edwardian-meets-queer-futurism finery.
If you’ve ever felt like the standard black-tie gala could use more flair—or maybe a fire dancer or two—the Edwardian Ball is the place for you. It’s a space where Gen Z’s unflinching creative self-expression meets Millennials’ obsession with goth nostalgia, and queer aesthetics rule supreme. Expect circus acts, live music, cabaret, and interactive installations. There’s no such thing as blending in here; it’s about standing out, shimmering in sequins, or basking in the glow of velvet and lace.
The ball’s home this year, San Francisco’s Chinatown’s Great Star Theater, serves as an opulent, intimate backdrop for the theatrics. The audience becomes as much a part of the spectacle as the performers. Feathered hats, dramatic capes, and glitter beards are more than welcome. Want to make an entrance? Think corseted decadence with a cheeky, queer twist.
What makes the Edwardian Ball so unique is its ability to take something rooted in nostalgia—the bygone Edwardian era—and twist it into something distinctly contemporary. It’s more than an ode to Gorey; it’s also a celebration of community, art, and embracing the weird. Whether you’re an artist, a misfit, a drag queen, or just someone looking to dance with death (metaphorically, of course), this ball offers an experience like no other.
For a city as rich in creativity and queer culture as San Francisco, the Edwardian Ball is a fitting way to step into 2025. It’s a reminder that the gothic and the glamorous aren’t opposites—They’re a match made in moody heaven. Dust off your finest top hat, or glitter your brows, and prepare to revel in a space where the extraordinary is the rule, not the exception. After all, as Edward Gorey might have put it, life is too short not to wear something fabulous to your demise—or, in this case, a really good party.
