InnovativeMe

National
#1 Sports Event
A record 114.4 million people watched Super Bowl XLIX, the largest audience in TV history. The N.F.L. championship game is a sports and cultural touchstone that offers something for everyone—clever advertisements, an over-the-top halftime concert, and, of course, the game itself. Next: February 7, 2016, Santa Clara, California

National
#2 Sports Event
The culmination of the men’s college basketball championship has introduced the terms “bracketology” and “March Madness” into the national vocabulary. Interest in the game from sponsors and viewers continues to grow. This year’s championship game between Kentucky and Wisconsin averaged 28.3 million total viewers, the most since 1997. Next: April 2-4, 2016, Houston

August, Georgia
#3 Sports Event
With his win, young golfer Jordan Spieth is making a claim as the sport’s next big superstar. He won the coveted green jacket and helped boost ratings to 14 million viewers for the final round. Next: April 7-10, 2016

Daytona Beach, Florida
#4 Sports Event
The 500-mile race kicks off Nascar’s Sprint Cup, paying out the largest purse of the season and attracting the largest TV audience of any auto race. A renovation to the Daytona International Speedway that added new higher grandstands will make for a more comfortable experience for fans next year. Next: February 21, 2016

Indianapolis
#5 Sports Event (new to the list)
The nation’s most historic auto race celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, a significant milestone for the open-wheel race. Nascar’s premier races have surpassed the Indy 500—it drew about 6.4 million viewers in 2015—although Indy’s live crowd counts about 100,000 more fans than the Daytona 500. Next: May 29, 2016

New York
#6 Sports Event
Bankable stars like Serena Williams, who won the women’s singles title in 2014, keep interest in the Grand Slam tournament high. Highbrow sponsors such as Tiffany & Company and American Express reach some 713,600 live spectators. Next: August 29-September 12, 2016

Louisville, Kentucky
#7 Sports Event
Horse racing had a historic year in 2015, as American Pharoah became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. The now-legendary horse began his journey at Churchill Downs, home to the derby and the first leg in the three-race series. Next: May 7, 2016

Boston
#8 Sports Event
The road race, a celebration of Patriots’ Day, is the nation’s oldest sporting event and its most prestigious marathon. The 2015 theme was “There Is Only One Boston,” and the mayor declared race day “One Boston Day,” a recognition of the lives lost in the 2013 bombings at the race. Next: April 18, 2016

New York
#9 Sports Event
Miss P, a beagle, won best in show in a field of 2,711 dogs competing at the Madison Square Garden spectacle, which has been held continuously since 1877. Next: February 15-16, 2016

New York
#1 Fashion Industry Event
Fashion’s focus has shifted downtown, as the event moves to two new venues, Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Square, after five years at Lincoln Center. The relocation is designed to provide a better home for designers, many of whom had started to seek out other venues. The eight days of shows reach some 100,000 industry insiders. Next: September 10-17, 2015

New York
#2 Fashion Industry Event
Ostensibly gathered to celebrate the 2015 exhibition “China: Through the Looking Glass,” the celebrities, fashion designers, models, and socialites contributed to a red-carpet spectacle worthy of the event’s chairwoman, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour. Next: Spring 2016

New York
#3 Fashion Industry Event
One of the best-dressed crowds attends the awards, which honor designers working in womenswear, menswear, accessories, and other categories. Betsey Johnson received the lifetime achievement award in 2015. Next: Spring 2016

Miami
#4 Fashion Industry Event
After 11 years, event owner IMG paused the official Fashion Week Swim to rethink the event, but Miami’s Swim Week continued with many designers staging shows independently. In addition, the Swimwear Association of Florida’s SwimShow trade show in Miami Beach continued as usual. Next: July 2016

Detroit
#1 Trade Show
With its strong media interest and massive consumer appeal, the show continues to be the go-to venue for the auto industry. This year the show boasted 49 worldwide vehicle introductions and another six North American introductions—providing the contingent of 5,025 journalists much to write about and the ticketed attendance of 808,775 plenty to see. The show’s Charity Preview, a gala benefit at the Cobo Center, raised $5.3 million for children’s charities and brought its cumulative fund-raising total to more than $100 million. Next: January 11-24, 2016

Las Vegas
#2 Trade Show
The retail industry event, held in February and August, draws buyers in 11 sectors of the fashion industry including womenswear, footwear, and accessories. More than 60,000 people attend each three-day event. Next: February 2016

Chicago
#3 Trade Show
The show continues to be the must-attend event in the foodservice and hospitality industries, drawing some 65,000 people. To increase interest in the co-located spirits-industry trade show, this year it changed the name to “Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants,” which shortens to the acronym B.A.R. Also new in 2015 was a “Startup Alley” showcasing restaurant technology and a 3-D Printing Zone that created candies and other treats. Next: May 21-24, 2016

High Point, North Carolina
#4 Trade Show
The furniture and home decor worlds convene to identify the next big trends as some 75,000 people view showrooms, participate in educational sessions, and network with peers. The largest furnishings industry trade show, it takes place twice a year and covers 11.5 million square feet of show space. Next: October 17-22, 2015

Atlanta
#5 Trade Show
The wholesale marketplace for gifts, holiday decor, rugs, and more has been drawing buyers to AmericasMart for more than 50 years. The show, held twice a year, draws some 88,000 people to see more than 1,500 permanent showrooms and more than 2,800 temporary exhibiting companies as well as attend panels, an award ceremony, and other events. Next: January 12-19, 2016

Columbus, Ohio
#6 Trade Show
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness event and trade show draws 175,000 people to watch athletes compete in more than 50 events. The event has expanded globally, with locations in Europe, Brazil, and, new in 2015, Australia. Next: March 4-6, 2016

Las Vegas/Orlando
#7 Trade Show (new to the list)
The combined attendance for the five co-located shows that made up Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas was about 125,000, with the International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show the largest draws. Combined, the shows covered more than 1.2 million net square feet of exhibits. Next: January 19-22, 2016, Las Vegas

Las Vegas
#8 Trade Show
About 145,000 people attend the automotive specialty products trade show, which takes over the Las Vegas Convention Center. In 2014, the show debuted SEMA Ignited, a consumer car show that included events such as the Battle of the Builders, which was filmed for a TV special that aired on the Velocity Network. Next: November 4-6, 2015

Houston
#9 Trade Show
The show, which focuses on offshore oil and gas resources, boosted its attendance to 94,700, the sixth-largest crowd in its history. It also increased the number of exhibiting companies to 2,682. A new event, the Rice Alliance Startup Roundup, brought together 50 start-up companies with potential investors. Next: May 2-5, 2016

Miami
#1 Art & Design Event
The country’s premier art event is the anchor to Miami Art Week and draws serious collectors and more than 250 gallerists who do mega business at the fair, which specializes in modern and contemporary art. The after-hours dinners, parties, concerts, and other promotions from brands add to the enormity of the scene. Next: December 3-6, 2015

New York
#2 Art & Design Event
The fair marked its 17th season this year and has had such a strong run under executive director Noah Horowitz that Art Basel recruited him to direct its Miami Beach show. Nearly 200 galleries showed work from more than 1,500 artists. New this year was the show’s first Instagram Meet-Up of 30 bloggers. Next: March 3-6, 2016

Chicago
#3 Art & Design Event
About 50,000 people gathered this year for the 47th edition of the trade show for the commercial interior design industry. Taking up nearly one million square feet of space at Merchandise Mart, the show deftly integrates sponsors into the layout. For example, the Chicago-based Archeworks designs the pressroom, and various companies transform the entrances and pass-throughs on the first floor with custom lounges and installations. Next: June 13-15, 2016

National
#4 Art & Design Event
Architects, interior designers, fashion designers, floral and landscape artists, and event producers are among those who create dining room installations for versions of the show across the country. The efforts support organizations that fight H.I.V. and AIDS. Next: October 3, 2015, Kansas City

Los Angeles
#5 Art & Design Event (new to the list)
Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the show from Dwell Media presents one trade day and two consumer days all focused on modern design. The show draws more than 30,000 people, a figure that has grown consistently in the event’s 10-year history. Next: June 24-26, 2016

San Diego
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
About 130,000 people descend on the San Diego Convention Center—many dressed in character—to gather with fellow fans of comic books, movies, and other forms of pop culture. It marked its 46th year in 2015 and recently reached a new deal that will keep the event in San Diego through 2018. Next: July 21-24, 2016

Park City, Utah
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
Located in the Wasatch Range mountains, the festival celebrates independent movies and can help launch the careers of showcasing directors and actors. Founded by Robert Redford, the event is continuing its international expansion: a Hong Kong edition began in 2015, and a London event launched in 2012. Next: January 21-31, 2016

Washington
#3 Entertainment Industry Event
One of the highest honors for performing arts is bringing in new producers—Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment—this year following 37 years under George Stevens Jr. The 2015 honorees, to be feted in front of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, are the band the Eagles, singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress and singer Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa, and actress Cicely Tyson. Next: December 6, 2015

New York
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
Television networks hope to capture the interest of media buyers—as well as build buzz among viewers—at the presentations of their prime-time lineups for the fall season. The events book the city’s most celebrated venues, including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center. Next: May 2016

Las Vegas
#5 Entertainment Industry Event
Drawing more than 103,000 attendees from 164 countries in 2015, the event is the largest electronic media convention. Professionals from broadcast, digital media, film, entertainment, and other industry sectors attend. A highlight of this year’s show was a Drone Pavilion, which included an enclosed cage for demonstrations. Next: April 16-21, 2016

Los Angeles
#6 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #7)
The major broadcast and cable networks, Netflix, Hulu, and other content producers meet with journalists who cover television at the event, which occurs twice a year in Southern California. The Late Late Show host James Corden served as M.C. of this summer’s 31st T.C.A. Awards, which are handed out as part of the tour. Next: January 2016

Miami
#7 Entertainment Industry Event
The long-running dance music industry conference gathers songwriters, DJs, producers, music label reps, and more for workshops, panels, and performance sets. The fans also come in droves for hundreds of performances at venues in the area. Next: March 2016

New York
#1 Benefit
The high-production benefit, which supports antipoverty initiatives in New York, raised $101.7 million this year, shattering the previous record of $87.8 million, set in 2010. Katie Couric hosted, and Paul McCartney performed a nearly two-hour set to close the evening. The 4,000-person event packs the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and in 2015 expanded its outreach by hosting two satellite parties in the city for younger patrons. Next: Spring 2016

New York
#2 Benefit
Drawing a bevy of celebrities and fashion luminaries, the Foundation for AIDS Research celebrates men’s fashion at its event series, which is produced by Josh Wood Productions. At the 2015 New York event, which raised $1.5 million, Anderson Cooper hosted and Miley Cyrus and Andy Cohen were honored. Cher was among the honorees in São Paulo, Brazil. Later this fall, Ryan Murphy will be honored in Los Angeles. Last year’s event in the city raised more than $3 million. Next: October 29, 2015, Los Angeles

New York
#3 Benefit
Art patrons gathered to honor artists Richard Serra and Kara Walker and give a 100th birthday tribute to David Rockefeller at the museum’s spring benefit, which raised $4.38 million. The event included an after-party performance by the Weeknd and a DJ set by Chromeo. Next: Spring 2016

Los Angeles
#4 Benefit
Raising more than $3 million in 2015, the museum’s benefit draws a reliably A-list guest list of artists and celebrities. Sponsored by Louis Vuitton, this year’s event honored John Baldessari and featured an after-dinner performance by Janelle Monáe. Next: Spring 2016

Naples, Florida
#5 Benefit (up from #6)
The event, which benefits the Naples Children & Education Foundation, raised $12.3 million, with $500,000 coming from a single item bid—a “Krug Experience” that included a collection of the brand’s most notable bottles and a private multiday visit to the champagne house’s French estate. The festival also inaugurated an online auction, which raised an additional $231,000. Next: January 29-31, 2016

San Francisco
#6 Benefit (new to the list)
Raising $14 million, the poverty-fighting organization set a fund-raising record at the ninth annual event this year. A live auction, conducted by a Christie’s auctioneer, had several notable lots, including a suite at Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Nearly 1,300 guests attended the event, held at Pier 70, and were treated to a surprise appearance from Snoop Dogg. Next: Spring 2016

St. Paul, Minnesota
#7 Benefit
Former president George W. Bush was the honoree and Katy Perry headlined the entertainment at this year’s benefit, which raised more than $9 million for the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The event, which in a bipartisan spirit previously honored former President Bill Clinton, draws guests from around the country. Next: Summer 2016

Dallas
#8 Benefit
The glamorous event, which had a “Jewels of the Garden” theme in 2014, increased its fund-raising total to $5.2 million. The benefit raises money for children’s charities and is the culmination of a monthslong lead-up that includes other fund-raising events starting with the theme announcement party in May, a fashion show, and special events for the largest donors. Next: December 5, 2015

New York
#9 Benefit
Hakeem Olajuwon and Mary Lou Retton were among the honorees at the 2014 event, which benefits the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. The dinner, held at the Waldorf-Astoria, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and will feature performances by the Beach Boys and the Pointer Sisters. Next: October 6, 2015

Washington
#10 Benefit (new to the list)
Now in a multiyear partnership with Under Armour, the Fight for Children’s boxing-theme benefit reached new heights in 2015, raising $4.7 million. It also marked the 25th anniversary of the event, which features matches between boxers with the World Boxing Council. Next: November 5, 2015

Chicago
#11 Benefit
More than 700 guests attended the black-tie benefit, which raised more than $2.9 million this year. Held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, the ninth edition of the society’s signature event featured an appearance by actor Paul Reiser. Next: April 2, 2016

Washington
#1 Political Event
Standing just feet from President Obama, Saturday Night Live comedian Cecily Strong roasted him, other politicians, and the media at this year’s annual dinner hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association. Media brands such as Politico, The New Yorker, and Yahoo News use the event as an opportunity to host events during a packed weekend. Next: Spring 2016

New York
#2 Political Event
The profile and scrutiny of the Clinton Foundation’s annual meeting has only heightened as Hillary Clinton has launched her presidential campaign. But the event, timed to the opening session of the United Nations, has continued to focus on global challenges. The 2015 theme is “the Future of Impact.” Next: September 26-29, 2015

National
#3 Political Event
Several Republican presidential candidates, including Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, and Rick Perry, spoke at the 2015 event, which took place in Nashville. Some 70,000 attendees attended the gun advocacy event and trade show, which next year marks its 145th meeting. Next: May 19-22, 2016, Louisville, Kentucky

Washington
#4 Political Event (up from #5)
The president’s annual address to Congress lays out priorities and celebrates triumphs of the past year. President Obama’s 2015 address was noted for his optimistic tone on issues such as national security, climate change, and education. Nearly 32 million Americans watched the speech on television, although ratings were down. Next: January 2016

Aspen, Colorado
#5 Political Event
Provocative speakers from the worlds of politics, health, the arts, technology, and more present to some 3,000 attendees at the event. This year’s theme was “Smart Solutions to the World’s Toughest Challenges,” and new this year was the Aspen Ideas Award, given to festival presenters and scholars who provide the most compelling solutions to challenges such as “promoting tolerance” or “addressing global sustainability.” Three winners were each awarded $25,000. Next: Summer 2016

Washington
#6 Political Event
A record 16,000 people attended the conference, which promotes a strong relationship between the United States and Israel. Addressing the conference this year were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, and U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Next: March 20-22, 2016

Miami
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
More than 60,000 people flocked to Miami Beach to interact with celebrity chefs and personalities such as Rachael Ray, Dominique Ansel, and José Andrés. The festival, sponsored by the Food Network and Cooking Channel and presented by Food & Wine, has a huge reach and reported nearly four billion total media impressions this year. It celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2016. Next: February 25-28, 2016

Chicago
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Moving the event to Chicago in 2015 brought new energy to the coveted food industry awards, which were held in New York for its first 24 years. The award show announced it will return to Chicago in 2016 and 2017. Next: May 2, 2016

New York
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
While it shares some events with its sister event in South Beach—the popular Burger Bash and Meatopia, among others—the New York version has developed its own identity. About 55,000 people attended the seventh annual edition in 2014, whose proceeds support Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Next: October 15-18, 2015

Las Vegas
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Presented by Bon Appétit, the festival offers events with chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Guests can also take part in the action at events such as a Hell’s Kitchen-style competition hosted by chef Gordon Ramsay himself. Next: Spring 2016

New Orleans
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #6)
The cocktail festival draws bartenders and others from the spirits industry worldwide to New Orleans for five days of tastings, product launches, and competitions. Danny Meyer, whose Union Square Hospitality Group opened its first cocktail bar, Porchlight, earlier this year, provided the keynote. Next: July 20-24, 2016

Aspen, Colorado
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #7)
The 33rd annual event aims for quality, not quantity, and draws about 5,000 attendees for some 80 events with celebrated chefs such as Jacques Pépin, Marcus Samuelsson, and Christina Tosi. New this year was a sommelier conference. Next: June 17-19, 2016

Austin, Texas
#1 Music Festival
The massively popular festival, which also includes film and digital components, is dealing with the consequences of its success with fans and brands. For this year’s festival, Austin officials limited the number of special event permits and boosted police presence downtown. But the event proved as attractive as ever to brands such as Pandora, Spotify, and Comedy Central, which produced activations to engage fans. Next: March 11-20, 2016

National
#2 Music Festival
The pyrotechnic-filled spectacles that make up the electronic dance music series from producer Insomniac draw massive crowds. The Las Vegas edition is the largest, with some 405,000 fans attending the three-day event. The festival began in Los Angeles and has taken place throughout North America; this year it expands to Brazil and next year will head to Japan. Next: November 6-7, Orlando

New Orleans
#3 Music Festival
About 460,000 fans attended the two weekends of the 46th annual jazz fest, watching performers such as Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, John Legend, Elton John, and Trombone Shorty. AXS TV aired a live broadcast during the second weekend, expanding the festival’s reach significantly beyond the city. Next: April 22-May 1, 2016

Indio, California
#4 Music Festival
AC/DC, Jack White, and Tyler the Creator were among the performers at the boho-chic festival, which proves irresistible to brands like H&M, Chevrolet, and even McDonald’s, whose Instagram-ready installations guarantee social media success. Producer Goldenvoice also caters to the California crowd with vegan, gluten-free, and kosher food options, as well as its first sit-down restaurants this year—pop-up versions of several popular Los Angeles eateries. Next: Spring 2016

Chicago
#5 Music Festival
Paul McCartney headlined the festival this year, with Metallica, Florence & the Machine, and Sam Smith also getting top billing. Beyond the grounds in Grant Park, other live music events piggyback off of the festival, including Rolling Stone’s annual Live: Chicago Party and a series of after-parties at Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. Next: Summer 2016

Milwaukee
#6 Music Festival (new to the list)
With 11 nights of headliners such as the Rolling Stones, Kendrick Lamar, and Carrie Underwood at this year’s event, the world’s largest music festival as certified by Guinness draws some 900,000 people. More than 800 acts play across 11 stages set up at a 75-acre permanent festival grounds on the shore of Lake Michigan. New this year was a live stream of 60 performances as well as artist interviews. The event will mark its 50th anniversary in 2017. Next: June 29-July 3, July 5-10, 2016

Austin, Texas
#7 Music Festival
More than 75,000 fans converge on Zilker Park for two weekends of music from 130 bands. Headliners this year include Foo Fighters, Drake, and the Strokes. In 2014, the festival went cashless, requiring people to link their credit cards to an R.F.I.D. wristband. Next: October 2-4, October 9-11, 2015

Charleston, South Carolina
#8 Music Festival
With offerings in opera, dance, chamber music, theater, and other performing arts, the 17-day festival is Charleston’s cultural highlight. This year, some 69,500 ticket holders attended the festival, which brought in $2.9 million in ticket sales. Next year marks its 40th anniversary. Next: May 27-June 12, 2016

Manchester, Tennessee
#9 Music Festival
The 80,000 people that gather on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee create a population that would be the seventh-largest city in the state, according to festival planners. Red Bull TV broadcast a live stream of several performers at the four-day festival, and this year the festival’s social media planners introduced a new channel, Yik Yak, to connect fans and announce special events. Next: June 2016

New York
#1 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The beloved holiday tradition—which attracts some 3.5 million people along the parade route and 50 million TV viewers—has only grown since its start in 1924. Last year it featured its largest cast of giant character balloons with 16 new helium creations. The lineup also included 33 novelty balloons, 27 floats, 1,300 cheerleaders and dancers, 1,000 clowns, and 12 marching bands. Next: November 26, 2015

New York
#2 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
An estimated one billion people worldwide watch a crystal ball descend from a flagpole atop One Times Square. The tradition of gathering in Times Square dates back to 1904, but today’s gathering of more than one million people is distinctly modern: the famed Waterford crystal ball now has its own app. Next: December 31, 2015

New Orleans
#3 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The cultural festival collectively known as Fat Tuesday, the indulgent celebrations before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, is synonymous with New Orleans. Crowds line the streets for elaborate parades led by private clubs known as krewes, the first of which dates back to 1857. Next: February 9, 2016

Los Angeles
#4 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
A long-held tradition in Los Angeles, the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses gathers thousands for a parade and college football game. The Rose Bowl game attracts some 100,000, and the Rose Parade sees about 700,000. For the latter, marching bands from across the globe, elaborate floral floats, equestrian units, and other groups participate. More than 53 million viewers watched the 126th edition of the parade broadcast in 2015. Next: January 1, 2016

Houston
#5 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Nearly 2.5 million people attended this year’s festival, which set a single-day attendance record of 181,822 visitors on its second Saturday. Texans come in droves to see top rodeo athletes; concerts from the likes of Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Bruno Mars, and Pitbull; and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Next: March 1-20, 2016

Washington
#6 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
For more than a century, people have commemorated Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the United States at the springtime celebration. Events taking place over more than three weeks include cultural performances, fireworks, and a nationally syndicated parade. Next: March 20-April 17, 2016

Boston
#7 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Since 1974, Boston has celebrated Independence Day with a free concert and fireworks on the Esplanade along the Charles River. The booming cannons that accompany the “1812 Overture” have become a signature element. Next: July 4, 2016

San Francisco
#8 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Pride festivities around the country had much to celebrate this year with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the nation. In San Francisco, the event marked its 45th year and had Rick Welts, president and chief of operations for the N.B.A. champions Golden State Warriors, as its grand marshal. Next: June 25-26, 2016

Louisville, Kentucky
#9 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival is the largest single attended event in the state, drawing some half a million people to watch the fireworks show. The theme of the 2015 show was “Boom With a View.” Next: April 23, 2016

New Orleans
#10 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Nearly 500,000 people came to see Mary J. Blige, Kevin Hart, Common, and others at performances, panels, and seminars at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Superdome. The festival also featured 100 hours of programming on its live stream, which counted more than 200,000 views. This year’s festival included an inaugural Day of Service that commemorated the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Next: June 30-July 3, 2016

Miami
#11 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Organized by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, the celebration of Hispanic culture includes music, a cooking contest, a golf classic, and events for kids and seniors. The event culminates in the massive Calle Ocho street party. Next: March 13, 2016

Chicago
#12 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Founded in 1929, the largest African-American parade in the country draws some 80,000 spectators who watch the parade march along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Chicago Defender Charities produces the back-to-school parade. Next: August 13, 2016

Washington
#2 Business & Financial Industry Event
At this year’s event, an impressive speaker lineup that included Michael Bloomberg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Alan Greenspan discussed economic opportunity and how to address the nation’s long-term debt. Next: Spring 2016

New York
#3 Business & Financial Industry Event
The event marked its 20th anniversary in 2015 and drew a record-breaking attendance of more than 3,000 people. Speakers included Bill Ackman, David Einhorn, and David Tepper. The event doubles as a fund-raiser to fight pediatric cancer and reported $4 million raised at this year’s event. Next: May 4, 2016

Los Angeles
#4 Business & Financial Industry Event
More than 3,500 participants gathered for the think tank’s conference, which this year featured a conversation that Facebook C.O.O. Sheryl Sandberg led with former United States treasury secretaries Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, and Robert Rubin. Hollywood also plays a role in the event, with actresses Patricia Arquette and Freida Pinto participating on a panel about making the world better for women and girls. Next: May 1-4, 2016

Las Vegas
#5 Business & Financial Industry Event
Known as the Salt Conference, the splashy, invite-only event for the hedge fund industry featured an array of fascinating people as speakers, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, business magnate T. Boone Pickens, and singer and entrepreneur Will.i.am. Next: May 10-13, 2016

Los Angeles
#6 Business & Financial Industry Event
Investment banking firm Roth Capital Partners draws more than 3,600 institutional investors, private equity investors, executives, and others to its Newport Beach conference, which marked its 27th year in 2015. Next: March 13-16, 2016

New York
#7 Business & Financial Industry Event (new to the list)
Media titans such as Les Moonves of CBS and James Murdoch of 21st Century Fox were among the keynote presenters at the venerable event in 2014. The event, which in 2015 marks its 43rd iteration, last year drew 1,457 attendees, among them investors, analysts, and members of the press. Next: December 7-9, 2015

Los Angeles
#1 Award Show
The most prestigious of the entertainment award shows still innovates to attract more viewers to its celebration of the year’s best movies. Under president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the academy has become more diverse, and next year’s show will have new producers. Next: February 28, 2016

Los Angeles
#2 Award Show
The 57th edition of “Music’s Biggest Night” featured performances by Madonna, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and others at the Staples Center. The telecast attracted 27 million viewers and prompted nearly 21 million tweets from across the globe. Next: February 15, 2016

Los Angeles
#3 Award Show
With the addition of Amazon, Netflix, and others creating original television, the awards have become more competitive as well as more compelling for viewers. Actor Andy Samberg debuts as a major award show host at this year’s event, held at the Microsoft Theater. Next: September 20, 2015

Los Angeles
#4 Award Show
The 72nd edition of the boisterous dinner awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association boosted its ratings this year, drawing 19.3 million viewers who watched Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler wrap up a successful three-year run as hosts. Next: January 10, 2016

Los Angeles
#5 Award Show
Although youth tend to tune in to YouTube or other online sources for music videos, MTV’s award show is still an essential night for the music business. This year Miley Cyrus hosted, and the network announced its nominees on Apple Music’s new global radio station Beats 1. Next: Summer 2016

Los Angeles
#6 Award Show (up from #7)
The sports giant moved the show to broadcast TV for the first time, airing it on ABC, and earned the highest ratings in the show’s history. The show celebrated the Women’s World Cup-winning United States women’s soccer team, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and others. But Caitlyn Jenner, receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, stole the show. Next: Summer 2016

New York
#7 Award Show
Honorees as diverse as ballerina Misty Copeland and Univision News anchor Jorge Ramos attendeed the magazine’s gathering of global power players. Two highlights from this year’s event involved Kanye West. First, he was pranked on the red carpet as comedian Amy Schumer pretended to trip in front of him; later, inside the gala, as he performed a three-song set. Next: Spring 2016

Los Angeles
#8 Award Show
Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the multicultural award show, which focus heavily on the entertainment industry but also honor others who promote social justice; this year, then-Attorney General Eric Holder was presented with the Chairman’s Award. The show aired live on TV One. Next: February 5, 2016

Las Vegas
#1 Technology Industry Event
The consumer electronics mega show drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 170,000 attendees and 3,631 exhibiting companies. Media coverage of the show saturates news and entertainment sites in the United States and across the globe. In addition to big players like Sony and Samsung, 375 start-ups had their own exhibit space, dubbed Eureka Park. Next: January 6-9, 2016

San Francisco
#2 Technology Industry Event
Catering to seemingly every industry, the cloud-computing conference hosted by Salesforce presents more than 1,500 sessions for its 135,000 attendees. Keynote speakers this year include Microsoft C.E.O. Satya Nadella and actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba, and its gala features performances by Foo Fighters and Gary Clark Jr. Next: September 15-18, 2015

San Francisco
#3 Technology Industry Event
More than 100 sessions of the tech giant’s conference are streamed live online, which may have been a consolation to the developers who didn’t score tickets to attend; they are distributed in a highly competitive lottery. Making news in 2015 was the debut of Apple Music, the company’s streaming service. Next: June 2016

Los Angeles
#4 Technology Industry Event
The future of gaming—virtual reality, augmented reality, and more—comes to life at the Entertainment Software Association’s expo, known as E3. More than 52,200 video game industry professionals, analysts, and fans flocked to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the event. Next: June 14-16, 2016

San Francisco
#6 Technology Industry Event (up from #7)
The software company claims it hosts the largest technology conference, with about 60,000 people attending in person and another 2.1 million attendees participating online. The event is so large that planners shut down a stretch of San Francisco’s busy Howard Street to create “Oracle Plaza,” an overflow space where attendees can watch keynote speeches and other content. Next: October 25-29, 2015

Aspen, Colorado
Susan Wojcicki, C.E.O. of YouTube, kicked off the main program of the invitation-only event, which is entering its 15th year. Next: July 11-13, 2016

New York
The Council of Fashion Designers of America launched a men’s fashion week in 2015, but critics were mixed on whether the menswear shows have a future. Next: January 2016