Grand Master Event

Guests created custom perfumes at a scent bar set up by Ka-Mil-Yin, a Los Angeles-based fragrance company that specializes in perfume parties, to take home as a favor from a bridal shower.

#2 Political & Advocacy Event
The gathering honors public figures for taking courageous stands, in a ceremony hosted by Caroline Kennedy. Next: May 2013

#6 Political & Advocacy Event
Honoring women who have made a difference in the state, the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Tribute to Abigail Adams is a ceremony held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. Next: October 10, 2013

#8 Political & Advocacy Event
The dinner hosted by the Human Rights Campaign is slated to move to new location Boston Marriott Copley Place for its 31st outing this September. Next: September 22, 2012

#4 Parade, Walk, Festival & Holiday Event
Showcasing the work of 1,000 artists and featuring 200 live performances across the city, Boston First Night Festival takes place each New Year’s Eve. Next: December 31, 2012

#6 Theatre & Film Event
A “Cinema Italiano” theme marked the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's gala, the theatre company’s fourth annual fund-raiser, held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel this year. Next: May 201

#7 Theatre & Film Event
This year's Ellie Fund Oscar Night sold out in record time, raising $200,000 for breast cancer research from 200 attendees. Next: February 24, 2013

#2 Fashion & Beauty Event
The 15th edition of the Harris Center Public Forum, a conference on body image in the media, included 600 guests and a keynote speech by Arianna Huffington. Next: June 2013

#2 Benefit
The black-tie ball more than doubled its fund-raising haul in 2012, soliciting $2.2 million from 600 guests in a setting inspired by French surrealist films. Next: April 20, 2013

#1 Trade Show & Convention
The region’s largest car expo, the New England International Auto Show will give guests the chance to test drive Jeeps on an off-road course set up in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Next: January 17-21, 2013

#2 Trade Show & Convention
The horticultural expo attracted 67,000 attendees to the Seaport World Trade Center in its fourth edition this year. Next: March 13-17, 2013

#4 Festival (up from #5)
Chicago puts on the world’s largest free blues festival, which this year was headlined by Mavis Staples and drew 500,000 fans. Next: June 2013

#7 Festival
Chicago’s sprawling food festival, once the city’s most successful large-scale event, has been revamped to address declining attendance and profits in recent years. This year, the Illinois Restaurant Association managed Taste of Chicago, shortening it from 10 to five days, adding attractions such as pop-up restaurants, and inviting guests to purchase tickets to concerts by Jennifer Hudson. Some one million guests attended and many vendors reported increased profits. Next: July 2013

#1 Art & Architecture Event (up from #2)
North America’s largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, NeoCon draws some 40,000 international industry pros, and inspires glitzy fund-raisers and swank showroom parties. Next: June 2013

#4 Art & Architecture Event (new to the list)
The famous museum’s largest fund-raiser is held at a different time each year to correspond with a major exhibition. This year’s glitzy event celebrated pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and drew 1,100 guests between a gala dinner and an over-the-top new after-party hosted by local fashion icon Ikram Goldman. Next: June 2013

#6 Art & Architecture Event
The event saw 285 submissions in 2011 and drew more than 800 industry pros. The American Institute of Architects’ Design Excellence Awards returns to Navy Pier this fall and will dole out awards in categories such as sustainability and interior architecture. Next: October 26, 2012

#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