The Year in Washington Galas

November

Fight Night, $1,000/Knock Out Abuse, $650

Guys attend Fight Night, where scantily clad hostesses light their cigars; women head to Knock Out Abuse for dinner, an auction—and eye candy of their own.

Harman Center Gala, $750

This lavish fundraiser for the Shakespeare Theatre Company pulls in a who’s who of names to enjoy mini-performances of ballet, modern dance, and theater.

December

Kennedy Center Honors, $500

A Hollywood/Wash-ington mash-up where you’re almost guaranteed to get a glimpse of the President and First Lady.

February

Alvin Ailey Opening Night, $500

Luxe tables dot the Kennedy Center’s beautifully decorated terrace level while Ailey dancers join guests for dinner—and unchoreographed dancing to the band.

March

Leukemia Ball, $1,000

Get lost in the dancing—a real possibility, given the 2,000 attendees at the convention center. If the gowns don’t do it first, the auction prices will take your breath away.

April

Children’s Ball, $1,000

Fast becoming one of the top events on the calendar, it draws boldface me-dia types to handle auctioneer duties to benefit Children’s National.

May

Phillips Collection Gala, $1,350

The Contemporaries Bash, which follows the main dinner in the museum, brings in a younger crowd mingling until the wee hours in a hip, off-site spot.

Washington Ballet Spring Gala, $1,200

Septime Webre always cooks up a magical theme to echo the venerable company’s season, highlighted by great performances from corps members.

Trust for the National Mall Benefit Luncheon, $500

Switch things up and head to a lunch-eon in a white tent on the Mall—and don’t forget your fancy spring hat!

June

Opera Ball, $500

First dine at one of a handful of ambassadors’ residences before dessert at the host envoy’s home (last year, Germany’s) and dancing with some of the city’s biggest titans.

This article appears in our December 2015 issue of Washingtonian.