8. International Interior Design Association Black Tie Celebration
#8 Art & Architecture Event
The high-end celebration takes place during NeoCon, drawing 500 designers and manufactures to mingle and connect. The International Interior Design Association Black Tie Celebration includes cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Next: June 2013
The high-end celebration takes place during NeoCon, drawing 500 designers and manufactures to mingle and connect. The International Interior Design Association Black Tie Celebration includes cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Next: June 2013
Photo: IIDA
2. Lyric Opera’s Opening Night Gala Benefit and Opera Ball
#2 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
The eight-hour affair emanates a grand sense of occasion with red-carpet arrivals, a bugle-scored grand march, and opera stars. This year the Lyric Opera’s opening night gala benefit and Opera Ball includes a performance of Richard Strauss’s Elektra. Next: October 6, 2012
The eight-hour affair emanates a grand sense of occasion with red-carpet arrivals, a bugle-scored grand march, and opera stars. This year the Lyric Opera’s opening night gala benefit and Opera Ball includes a performance of Richard Strauss’s Elektra. Next: October 6, 2012
Photo: Cheri Eisenberg
4. Joffrey Ballet Spring Gala
#4 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
This year, the dance lovers’ evening was attended by 800 guests including big-name business leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The 2012 spring gala raised $1.2 million and celebrated the women’s board’s 10th anniversary. Next: Spring 2013
This year, the dance lovers’ evening was attended by 800 guests including big-name business leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The 2012 spring gala raised $1.2 million and celebrated the women’s board’s 10th anniversary. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Bob Carl
5. Goodman Theatre Gala
#5 Theater, Dance, & Music Event
With opulent decor evocative of the Moulin Rouge, the Goodman Theatre gala offered a cabaret-style performance from Tony award winner Laura Benanti and raised $800,000. Next: Spring 2013
With opulent decor evocative of the Moulin Rouge, the Goodman Theatre gala offered a cabaret-style performance from Tony award winner Laura Benanti and raised $800,000. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Violet Dominck
1. American Cancer Society Discovery Ball
#1 Benefit (up from #3)
This year, the annual Discovery Ball served as a model for the society’s nationwide events and staffers from six major markets got "backstage training" at the illustrious affair. The benefit, which took over the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised a record-breaking $2.7 million, with a single auction lot bringing in an impressive $218,000. Next: April 27, 2013
This year, the annual Discovery Ball served as a model for the society’s nationwide events and staffers from six major markets got "backstage training" at the illustrious affair. The benefit, which took over the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised a record-breaking $2.7 million, with a single auction lot bringing in an impressive $218,000. Next: April 27, 2013
Photo: George Burns Photography Inc.
4. Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner
#5 Benefit (up from #6)
Last year, the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner saw authors seated at every table, a record $1.25 million funds raised, and iconic film critic Roger Ebert honored. This year’s event will honor Don DeLillo and Walter Isaacson. Next: October 17, 2012
Last year, the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner saw authors seated at every table, a record $1.25 million funds raised, and iconic film critic Roger Ebert honored. This year’s event will honor Don DeLillo and Walter Isaacson. Next: October 17, 2012
Photo: Dan Rest
5. Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Salute Gala
#6 Benefit (up from #13)
The gala has grown rapidly in the past few years; this year, some 1,050 guests helped raise $1.5 million. The Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Salute Gala had a Mission Impossible-inspired motif. Next: Spring 2013
The gala has grown rapidly in the past few years; this year, some 1,050 guests helped raise $1.5 million. The Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Salute Gala had a Mission Impossible-inspired motif. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Jeff Shear
6. Shedd Aquarium Gala
#7 Benefit (up from #8)
The popular black-tie affair includes an aquatic show, an elegant dinner, and an after-party with a chocolate buffet, lavish specialty cocktails, and dancing in a tented area overlooking the lakes and the city’s fireworks show. ITW and McDonald’s are among the many corporate supporters. Next: Summer 2013
The popular black-tie affair includes an aquatic show, an elegant dinner, and an after-party with a chocolate buffet, lavish specialty cocktails, and dancing in a tented area overlooking the lakes and the city’s fireworks show. ITW and McDonald’s are among the many corporate supporters. Next: Summer 2013
Photo: Courtesy of John G. Shedd Aquarium
10. Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Wish Ball
#11 Benefit
The event raises more than $1 million annually, features celebrity guests, and has a long list of corporate supporters. David Spade and Billy Bush appeared at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 2012 Wish Ball. Next: Spring 2013
The event raises more than $1 million annually, features celebrity guests, and has a long list of corporate supporters. David Spade and Billy Bush appeared at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 2012 Wish Ball. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Mary Melka
17. Friends of Prentice Gala
#18 Benefit
Benefiting the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the high-profile Friends of Prentice Gala typically draws an 800-guest crowd to Navy Pier and raises around $1 million. Next: Summer 2013
Benefiting the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the high-profile Friends of Prentice Gala typically draws an 800-guest crowd to Navy Pier and raises around $1 million. Next: Summer 2013
Photo: Dan Rest
18. Brookfield Zoo Whirl
#19 Benefit
This year, the springtime gala offered its 800 guests a peek at a live cheetah, raked in $1.3 million, and was supported by the likes of American Airlines. Next: Spring 2013
This year, the springtime gala offered its 800 guests a peek at a live cheetah, raked in $1.3 million, and was supported by the likes of American Airlines. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Robert Milkovich
19. The Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Ball
#20 Benefit (up from #24)
This year, the 600-guest event took place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel with an "Aqua" theme and raised $1 million. Next: Summer 2013
This year, the 600-guest event took place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel with an "Aqua" theme and raised $1 million. Next: Summer 2013
Photo: Bob Carl
4. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Primetime Emmy Awards
#4 Entertainment & Media Event
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Primetime Emmy Awards honor TV’s best. The crowd moves from the show to the academy’s splashy annual Governors Ball for about 3,900 guests; the ball is billed as the largest formal dinner in the U.S. Next: September 23, 2012
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Primetime Emmy Awards honor TV’s best. The crowd moves from the show to the academy’s splashy annual Governors Ball for about 3,900 guests; the ball is billed as the largest formal dinner in the U.S. Next: September 23, 2012
Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
15. Backstage at the Geffen
#16 Benefit
Backstage at the Geffen recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising awareness of the Geffen Playhouse’s education and outreach programs. Most recently, it honored Jim Gianopulos and Carol Burnett. Next: May 2013
Backstage at the Geffen recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising awareness of the Geffen Playhouse’s education and outreach programs. Most recently, it honored Jim Gianopulos and Carol Burnett. Next: May 2013
Photo: Jordan Strauss/Geffen Playhouse
2. Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s “Art+Film” Gala
#2 Art & Design Event (new to the list)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s "Art+Film" gala in November was the debut of the buzzy new annual event. This year, the event will honor artist Ed Ruscha and Stanley Kubrick with Steven Spielberg paying tribute to the late filmmaker. Leonardo DiCaprio co-chairs and Gucci is the presenting sponsor. Next: October 27, 2012
Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s "Art+Film" gala in November was the debut of the buzzy new annual event. This year, the event will honor artist Ed Ruscha and Stanley Kubrick with Steven Spielberg paying tribute to the late filmmaker. Leonardo DiCaprio co-chairs and Gucci is the presenting sponsor. Next: October 27, 2012
Photo: Stefanie Keenan
11. Miami Art Museum Ball
#13 Benefit
Saluting the region’s artistic community, the Miami Art Museum Ball is a festive party that serves as one of the highlights of the Miami Art Week surrounding Art Basel. December 1, 2012
Saluting the region’s artistic community, the Miami Art Museum Ball is a festive party that serves as one of the highlights of the Miami Art Week surrounding Art Basel. December 1, 2012
Photo: Daniel Azoulay Photography
