Prom Dress, Prom 2010 Activities

Americas
In Canada, most schools have the same traditions as those in the United States, except Prom is only held for the graduating class. There is no prom held for Grade 11 (except in the province of Quebec, where grade 11 is the last year. It is strictly a ceremony celebrating students' graduation from high school.

In Argentina there are also proms or "fiestas de graduación" for students finishing their last year of high school. There are big parties for teenagers in local discos and graduates usually wear costumes to be identified from others. They usually hold formal dinners with parents too, but students dress formally.

In Costa Rica, alike many other American countries, the "Baile de graduación" is celebrated after finishing High School, where grade 11 is also the last year, it usually takes place before graduation, to celebrate, finally, the end of school. It's normally held in hotels or saloons with a dance-floor, music and dinner. It starts with the students walking through the dance-floor and dancing a waltz, the dinner comes after, and the rest of the night is taken by the dancing and celebration.

In Brazil, bailes de formatura are usual at the end of high school and at college graduation. There is no crowning of a "king" or a "queen," but evening gowns and suits are required. Family may or may not be included, and there may be a live band or DJ hired to command the music.

In Chile, proms, or "fiestas de graduación" (graduation parties), are usually held at convention centers or hotels after the "licenciatura," or graduation from High School. They can also be held after taking the PSU (Chilean University Entrance Exam) in December. Students are expected to dress formally. They are allowed to go with dates, friends, or relatives. They usually start with people dancing a waltz and then dinner. After the dinner, the parents leave, and the dance continues through the night into the next day. Food and alcoholic drinks are available during the party.

In Colombia many private schools usually have prom balls as well, usually consisting of a dinner, dancing, live music, and contests. They are usually held at hotels or clubs.

In Peru, proms—"Fiesta de Promocion"—are usually held at hotels, convention centers, or big residences. The dress code is prom gown formal. Some parents and teachers are often invited, but they don't stay the whole night. Dinner is served as well as alcoholic drinks and delicatessen. Breakfast is often served the next day, at around 6-7 am. There is a growing tradition to hold a "Pre-Prom" for the students in the class below the graduating class, and even a "Pre-pre-Prom" for the students in the class below that.

In the United States, Some American Christian high schools and colleges that do not allow school-sponsored dances will host a Junior/Senior prom. Rather than the event being a dance, a banquet is held instead. Typically, students still dress in formal attire and even bring dates.