Charity may begin at home, but some of the country’s most influential galas are worth traveling for. These high-profile events bring together major donors, cultural institutions, and national figures for evenings that pair top-tier hospitality with serious fundraising. Here are some of the standout charity galas across the country, listed chronologically.
Boston Winter Ball
“Boston’s Biggest Night Out,” the Boston Winter Ball is an annual black-tie fundraiser that draws more than 1,500 guests in support of the Cory C. Griffin Foundation. Proceeds benefit the foundation’s work expanding access to education and healthcare for children and families, supporting initiatives focused on academic opportunity, healthcare equity, character development, and housing stability.
- Where: Boston, MA
- When: March 7, 2026
amfAR Gala
amfAR Palm Beach returns on Saturday, March 28, 2026, for an evening supporting the foundation’s HIV/AIDS research initiatives. The 2026 gala features special performances by EGOT award-winner John Legend and multiple Grammy winner Gloria Gaynor, and is hosted by Christie Brinkley. Amy and Bret Baier will receive the evening’s Philanthropic Leadership Award. The black-tie event brings together major donors, cultural figures, and longtime supporters for one of Palm Beach’s most high-profile fundraising nights. Palm Beach is one of several amfAR international benefit galas being held this year, raising funding for biomedical research that drives advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and breakthroughs in other diseases.
- Where: Palm Beach, Florida
- When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Mack, Jack & McConaughey
The Mack, Jack, & McConaughey Gala gets its name from renowned college football coach Mack Brown, country musician Jack Ingram, and Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey. Funds from this event go to various community nonprofits dedicated to children’s education, health, and wellness. Guests will enjoy a red carpet cocktail reception, dinner, live auction, and headlining concert. Previous year’s headers included country superstars Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, and Kenny Chesney.
- Where: Austin, TX
- When: April 23-24, 2026
Lyric Wine Auction
The Lyric Wine Auction is one of Chicago’s most established cultural fundraisers, supporting Lyric Opera of Chicago, a 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner. Hosted by the Women’s Board of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the multi-day fundraiser brings together collectors, vintners, and patrons for curated lots and high-level giving in support of Lyric’s artistic and education programs.
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
- When: May 8 – 9, 2026
Steppenwolf Gala
The 2026 Steppenwolf Gala marks five decades of Steppenwolf Theatre Company with an evening at Rockwell on the River. Hosted by Steppenwolf’s Ensemble and Board of Trustees, the event includes cocktails, a progressive dinner, live auction experiences with Steppenwolf artists, and a late-night lounge with DJ and dancing. Proceeds support Steppenwolf’s Ensemble, artistic productions, and education programs serving teens across the Chicago region.
- Where: Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, Illinois
- When: Saturday, May 9, 2026
The Goodman Theatre Gala
The annual black-tie fundraiser for Chicago’s The Goodman Theatre, a 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, supports the theater’s education and engagement programs, bringing together Chicago’s cultural and philanthropic communities for an evening of performance and celebration. The 2026 gala continues the theater’s centennial celebration and features a seated dinner, a live performance by Emmy and Critics Choice Award nominee Tituss Burgess, and dancing with music by the Gentlemen of Leisure
- Where: The Fairmont Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Joffrey Ballet Celebration
This year’s Joffrey Ballet Celebration marks 70 years of The Joffrey Ballet, a 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, and 30 years in Chicago with a 70s disco glam-themed evening at Studio Joffrey. The event includes cocktails, dancing, and fundraising in support of the company’s artistic productions and education programs.
- Where: Chicago, Illinois (Studio Joffrey)
- When: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Leukemia Ball
Don’t miss one of D.C.’s largest non-political black-tie events, the Leukemia Ball. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the National Executive Committee host this annual gala to support blood cancer research. In the last 30 years, the event has raised more than $74 million. More than 2,000 guests can enjoy dinner, dancing, inspirational programming, auctions, and headlining entertainment.
- Where: Washington D.C.
- When: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Tipping Point Gala
Spend the night focusing on nothing but the good happening throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area at the Tipping Point Gala. During the 2025 event, the Tipping Point Community raised a record-breaking $20 million for poverty-fighting nonprofits in the region. Nearly every year, this event hosts 1,000 donors to celebrate the wins and untold stories of the Bay Area, showcasing the power of community and working together.
- Where: San Francisco, California
- When: TBA, previously in May
HRC National Dinner
The Human Rights Campaign’s Annual Dinner celebrates local leadership working to bring LGBTQ+ equality nationwide and make the country safer for LGBTAQ+ individuals.
- Where: Washington D.C.
- Date: 2026 TBA, previously September
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Symphony Ball
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Symphony Ball is the ensemble’s signature fundraising gala, pairing a formal performance at Symphony Center with a post-concert dinner and festivities. The evening supports CSO artistic programming and community initiatives.
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
- When: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Imagine Benefit
The Alzheimer’s Association Imagine Benefit, built on the legacy of the Rita Hayworth Gala, is an annual fundraising event supporting the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, a 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, to advance global research, drive early detection and risk reduction, and expand care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan in honor of her mother, Rita Hayworth, the gala has raised more than $90 million since its inception in 1984. The evening typically brings together leaders from philanthropy, entertainment, and business for a black-tie program featuring live performances, a mission-driven program, and a high-profile honoree.
- Where: TBA, Previously The Plaza Hotel, New York City
- When: TBA, Previously October
Angel Ball
The Angel Ball is the signature fundraising gala for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation. This star-studded event raises 88 cents on every dollar for cancer research, working to find non-toxic treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. This event also honors individuals who have made significant humanitarian and philanthropic contributions supporting cancer research.
- Where: New York City
- When: 2026 date TBA, previously November
Healing New York 2026 Fall Gala
Healing New York, formerly The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, hosts its annual fall gala, bringing together civic leaders, philanthropists, and advocates in support of child protection and family services. Proceeds benefit the organization’s trauma recovery programs, parenting and caregiver support, and school-based abuse prevention initiatives, which collectively serve more than 10,000 children, caregivers, and professionals each year.
- Where: New York City
- When: 2026 Date TBA, previously November
Improvisations Gala
The New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Improvisations Gala brings together live music, immersive entertainment, food and cocktails, and a fundraising auction inside the museum’s historic French Quarter home. The annual event supports the museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate the city’s musical legacy while convening civic and cultural leaders for an evening rooted in performance and philanthropy.
- Where: New Orleans
- When: 2026 Date TBA, previously December
Under the Oculus: A Celebration of Visionaries
Hosted annually by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, Under the Oculus honors influential leaders in art, culture, and philanthropy whose work reflects the museum’s commitment to creativity and innovation. The evening typically includes a private exhibition viewing, a seated dinner by a notable chef, and a live performance beneath the museum’s iconic rotunda, with proceeds supporting exhibitions, education initiatives, and collection preservation.
- Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City
- When: 2026 Date TBD, previously December
UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball – Atlanta
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The glamorous Mayor’s Masked Ball is one of Atlanta’s signature fundraising galas, raising awareness and support for the United Negro College Fund. UNCF has supported more than 550,000 students in earning college degrees and is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider for minority students, awarding over $62 million annually to students at more than 600 institutions, including 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HCBUs).
- Where: Atlanta, Georgia
- When: 2026 date TBA, previously December
2027
Barrow Grand Ball
Held annually by the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation, the Barrow Grand Ball is one of the country’s most significant medical research fundraisers. Since its founding in 1965, the event has raised more than $135 million to advance neuroscience research and innovative treatments at Barrow Neurological Institute, drawing major donors and national attention to breakthroughs in stroke, dementia, spinal disorders, and brain tumor care.
- Where: Phoenix, AZ
- When: 2027 Date TBA, previously January
San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala
San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala kicks off the ballet’s season while supporting the San Francisco Ballet’s mission of sharing joy through dance. Funds support new creative works and the preservation of classics, plus scholarships to aspiring SF Ballet students and programming for thousands of Bay Area students, families, and seniors.
- Where: San Francisco, CA
- When: 2027 Date TBA, previously January
