Charity may begin at home, but it doesn’t have to stay there. Galas for good causes across the nation can give you an even better reason to pack your bags than wanderlust. Besides helping others, you’re likely to experience the efforts of elite entertainers, caterers, and florists while rubbing elbows with local luminaries — and sometimes international celebrities. On the financial side, host hotels frequently offer attractive discounts to gala patrons, while much of a ticket’s price may be tax-deductible. Here are some of our favorite charity galas in chronological order. Grab your tickets for this year, or mark your calendar for next year.
Check out our list of top Chicago galas here!
Updated January 12, 2025
Barrow Grand Ball
Celebrate the last 60 years of work from the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Institute during this year’s Barrow Grand Ball. Over the last 60 years, this organization has raised more than $110M for BNI research in critical areas at Barrow Neurological Institute. The research supported by this event looks into treatment for stroke, dementia, spinal disorders, brain tumors, and much more.
- Where: Phoenix, AZ
- When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
- Tickets: Pricing available upon request
San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala
Support the San Francisco arts at the San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala. This Gala kicks off the ballet’s season while supporting the San Francisco Ballet’s mission of sharing joy through dance. Funds allow for 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: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- Tickets: Start at $2,000 for individual silver level ticket
Boston Winter Ball
Don’t miss Boston’s biggest charity event, the Boston Winter Ball. This annual black-tie dinner is a night to remember for the next generation of philanthropic leaders. More than 1,500 guests come together on this night to support the Cory C. Griffin Foundation, which works to provide education and healthcare opportunities to Boston children. Funds from this event can increase awareness, advocacy, and resources to change children’s lives through education programs, character-building support, healthcare equity, and housing.
- Where: Boston, MA
- When: Saturday, Feb 8, 2025
- Tickets: Starting at $250 for early bird general tickets
Annual Snowball Gala
This year marks the Junior Council’s 36th Annual Snowball Gala. This iconic Chicago event is known for its live entertainment, premium open bar, and tastings from some of Chicago’s top restaurants. Proceeds from this event support the Pediatric & Adolescent HIV/AIDS Clinic at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Funds provide scholarships for patients plus testing, medication, and services for uninsured or low-income patients.
- Where: Chicago, IL
- When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Tickets: Starting at $185 for general admission
Annual Liberty Ball Gala
Fight against childhood cancers by attending the Annual Liberty Ball Gala. This year-round fundraising event supports the Penn State Dance Marathon and the Four Diamonds organization in their efforts to provide comprehensive support and innovative research to conquer pediatric cancer. Since its inception in 2005, the Liberty Ball has raised more than $450,00 for childhood cancer research.
- Where: Philadelphia, PA
- When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Tickets: Starting at $175 for individual tickets and $1,650 for a table
Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars
Join the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for the annual Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars gala, which celebrates more than 12,000 extraordinary youth throughout Arizona. This high-netting event is one of the only fundraisers that exclusively benefits local programs for kids in the Boys and Girls Clubs. Previous events have included a silent auction filled with high-end jewelry, restaurant experiences, vacations, and sports memorabilia.
- Where: Phoenix, AZ
- When: Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Tickets: Start at $1,000
amfAR Gala
Honor individuals contributing to the fight against AIDS at the 4th Annual amfAR Gala. This event is one of Palm Spring’s go-to gala and has raised more than $5 million since its inception to support research toward a cure for AIDS. Funds from this gala also aid in access to prevention treatment and advocacy for public policy to support international prevention and relief. Attendees can enjoy premium cocktails, a sit-down downer, a live luxury auction, and exclusive performances from A-list artists.
- Where: Palm Beach, Florida
- When: Saturday, March 8, 2025
- Tickets: Start at $5,000
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, March 29, 2025
- Tickets: Start at $1,000
Mack, Jack & McConaughey
If you’re for an ultimate night of entertainment, you won’t want to miss the 13th Annual Mack, Jack, & McConaughey Gala. This event 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 24-25, 2025
- Tickets: Price TBA
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 2024 event, the Tipping Point Community raised more than $14.5 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: TBD – the 2024 event was in May
- Tickets: TBD
Angel Ball
If you want to hit one of New York City’s top social events this season, attend the 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: TBD – the 2024 event was in October
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $2000
Homecoming Gala
Support the public students in Denver at the Homecoming Gala. The Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) hosts their annual Homecoming Gala to honor the accomplishments of young professionals from the Denver Public School (DPS) system. Every dollar raised from this event will be matched by the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative to provide resources and scholarships to DPS students. This year, DSF will also host their second annual After Party following the gala, complete with dancing, a silent disco, and late-night snacks and drinks.
- Where: Denver, Colorado
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in November
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $125 for young professionals and $250 for the general public
HRC Chicago Gala & Auction
Don’t miss one of the largest LGBTQ+ fundraising events in the Midwest. The Human Rights Campaign’s Annual Dinner celebrates local leadership working to bring LGBTQ+ equality nationwide and make the country safer for LGBTAQ+ individuals. Each dinner ticket comes with a year of HRC membership, giving you access to various events, volunteer opportunities, and resources.
- Where: Chicago
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in November
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $325
NYSPCC 2025 Fall Gala
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Stop by the annual New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s (NYSPCC) Fall Gala for an inspiring night of entertainment and hope. The NYSPCC Fall Gala welcomes more than 250 of NYSPCC’s supporters for an evening of live entertainment and music. The funds from this event go toward programming for families to heal from trauma, abuse, and neglect. This event makes it possible to provide therapeutic support and resources to more than 10,00 individuals.
- Where: New York City, NY
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in November
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $2,500
2025 Diamonds and Pearls Gala
Indulge in a night of elegance at the Diamonds and Pearls Gala. This event is the longest-standing partnership between the Suburban-Houston Fort Bend Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Delta Academic Artistic Philanthropic Foundation. The night raises funds to support scholarships for middle and high school educational programs throughout Houston. Attendees can enjoy live music, a silent auction, and various luxurious vendors.
- Where: Houston, TX
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in December
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $125
Denver Winter Ball
Don’t miss the black-tie event of the season at the Denver Winter Ball hosted by the Making An Impact Foundation. This annual fundraiser helps children and families across Denver who lack adequate nutrition due to financial constraints. The night’s festivities include an open bar, silent auction, live entertainment, dancing, and a buffet of hors d’oeuvres.
- Where: Denver, CO
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in December
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $150
Improvisations Gala
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Go all out for the New Orleans Jazz Museum Improvisations Gala. Attendees can enjoy an elegant VIP cocktail hour, performances by Grammy Award winners and local jazz legends, a silent auction, interactive exhibits, an open bar, and delicious French, Cajun, and Creole cuisine. Funding from the gala supports the Museum’s Education Center and programming. The funds support education outreach, teacher training, student performances, and professional development for musicians.
- Where: New Orleans
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in December
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $150
72nd Annual Alpha Merit Toy Dance
Enjoy a sophisticated black-tie night with entertainment, drinks, and food for the Alpha Merit Group Educational Foundation’s Annual Alpha Merit Toy Drive. This event supports educational causes for minority youth throughout Houston. Not only does this gala help raise funds and asks all guests to bring an unwrapped toy that gets distributed to Houston children during the holiday season.
- Where: Houston, TX
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in December
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at$500
Mayor’s Masked Ball
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The attire is strictly formal — long gowns for women, black tie for men, and masks for both — at the glamorous Mayor’s Masked Ball, a celebrity-attended fundraiser for the United Negro College Fund. Over the years, among many things, UNCF has helped hundreds of students pay for their education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
- Where: Atlanta, Georgia
- When: TBD – the 2024 event was in December
- Tickets: TBD – the 2024 event started at $1,000
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Jeanne Cooper, former San Francisco Chronicle Travel editor, writes frequently about the Wine Country for Marin Magazine and other publications. She is particularly fond of wines from the Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. She supports ongoing work of Ecumenical Hunger Project in East Palo Alto and the disaster response efforts of World Central Kitchen and San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
