The article is devoted to the study of the specifics of ballroom orchestras of the first half of the 19th century ‒ European musical groups specializing in the performance of light and dance music. public entertainment. The social changes taking place in European society led to the emergence of public forms of musical entertainment (public balls, promenade concerts) and served as an impetus for the spread of a new practice of performances by commercial orchestras performing light music. The article studies the features of ballroom orchestral performance in Vienna, Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, and other European cities, represented by the groups of J. Lanner and I. Strauss (father), F. Musard, L.-A. Julien, H.-C. Lumbyu and others. The specifics of the performance repertoire, the traditions of performance practice (focus on commercial success in combination with the desire to popularize classical music) are revealed. The distinctive features of orchestras are studied: the uniqueness of the line-ups, ensuring the full sound of the orchestra in the open air, the wide use of solo timbres, mobility and use of multi-instrumentalist performers, the use of rare and new instruments, as well as noise and stage effects. The study of the peculiarities of the practice of ballroom orchestras of the first half of the 19th century allows us to draw a conclusion about their special role in the process of forming new instruments, new techniques and methods of orchestral performance.