what is a masquerade ball

A masquerade ball is a formal ball where participants attend in costume wearing masks. The tradition of masquerade balls dates back to the 15th century, during the Carnival season in Europe, which involved elaborate public displays like parades, festivals, and outdoor parties. Masquerade balls were a fixture of royal society in parts of Europe during the 16th century Renaissance, and there was no place that they were more popular than the Italian city of Venice. The "Bal des Ardents" ("Burning Mens Ball") was held by Charles VI of France, and intended as a Bal des sauvages ("Wild Mens Ball"), a form of costumed ball. Masquerade balls usually encompass music and dancing, and the party atmosphere is emphasized in present times, with formal dancing usually less prominent. Masquerade masks are used for costumes during Halloween, and they are sold in a wide range of stores in different designs and colors. Masquerade balls are central figures in several different types of popular art, including literature, such as Edgar Allan Poes short story "The Masque of the Red Death".