Boston's Top 100 Events 2012 - Benefits

#1 Benefit
One of the biggest gatherings of corporate and philanthropic leaders in Boston, Boston Symphony Orchestra Presidents at Pops saw Steve Martin on banjo and honored composer John Williams in 2012. Next: Spring 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

#3 Benefit
Last year, The Dark Knight inspired the look of the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Storybook Ball, which raised $1.1 million from more than 500 guests. Next: October 20 , 2012

#4 Benefit
Held at a different philanthropist’s home each year, the Boys and Girls Club House Party took place at the residence of Red Sox owner John Henry in 2012. Next: May 17, 2013

#5 Benefit (up from #6)
After moving from the Boston Convention Center to the more intimate House of Blues in 2012, Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Night raised $1.7 million from 900 guests. Next: winter 2013

#6 Benefit
Serving as the kickoff to the summer gala season, the Institute of Contemporary Art's annual gala and Party on the Harbor added a new V.I.P. pre-party before the 700-person event this year. Next: May 10, 2013

#7 Benefit
Supporting Catholic School education, the Catholic Schools Foundation's Inner-City Scholarship Fund dinner hauled in $2.7 million at its 22nd outing in 2012. Next: spring 2013

#8 Benefit
A DJ event for Boston’s younger socialite set, the Museum of Fine Art's the Summer Party marked its ninth anniversary with a “solid gold” theme in 2012. Next: June 8, 2013

#9 Benefit (up from #10)
A gala holiday concert, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's "A Company Christmas at Pops" welcomed 2,000 guests to Symphony Hall in 2011. Next: December 12, 2012

#11 Benefit
In 2012, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Boston Hot Pink Party moved to new venue, the Intercontinental Boston, with 400 guests including Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz. Next: May 8, 2013

#13 Benefit
Raising $1 million for its child and family service programs, Home for Little Wanderers' Voices & Visions Gala brought a record 1,100 guests to the Seaport World Trade Center. Next: May 29, 2013

#14 Benefit
Bringing out 700 Bostonians in their most elaborate headwear, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy Party in the Park raised $560,000 for the conservancy’s Justine Mee Liff Fund. Next: May 15, 2013

#15 Benefit
The fund-raiser grew by 30 percent to 300 guests this year, and will return for a third outing next year. Next: February 11, 2013.

#16 Benefit
This year the New England Conservatory Feast of Music, a gala concert and dinner, paid homage to Vienna and raised $500,000 for the conservatory’s scholarship program. Next: February 23, 2013

#17 Benefit
Attracting a roster of the city’s business elite, the Boston Medical Center Gala's dinner at the Seaport World Trade Center hauled in $2.2 million in 2012. Next: spring 2013

#18 Benefit
Raising $450,000, last year's Room to Grow Fall Gala brought 400 guests to the Boston Public Library, including founder Julie Burns and husband documentarian Ken Burns. Next: fall 2012

#19 Benefit
Marking World Diabetes Day and funding research and care programs at the center, Joslin Diabetes Center's High Hopes Gala raised $1.7 million last year. Next: November 17, 2012

#20 Benefit
After collecting $1.5 million in 2011, the Berklee College of Music Encore gala will mark its 18th year of raising funds to benefit music programs for Boston schoolchildren in fall. Next: October 13, 2012

#21 Benefit (new to the list)
One of the biggest gatherings of healthcare and biotech industry executives and supporters, the Kenneth B. Schwartz Compassionate Health Care dinner raised $1.1 million from a crowd of 2,000 guests last year. Next: November 8, 2012

#22 Benefit
The event raised $1.1 million this year, enough to help the organization distribute nearly three million meals to needy Bostonians. Next: April 25, 2013

#23 Benefit
With a party at the House of Blues hosted by Mayor Tom Menino and featuring fare from 20 Boston restaurants, the Friends of Boston's Homeless' Beyond Shelter gala marked its 25th anniversary this spring. Next: April 25, 2013

#24 Benefit
Taking in $130,000 from a crowd of 1,000 young professionals, the Boston Winter Ball increased fund-raising in its fourth outing, an event that benefited Children’s Hospital Boston. Next: winter 2013

#25 Benefit
The must-attend event of the year for Boston’s African-American socialite set, the Steppin' Out Gala for the Dimock Center will feature Gladys Knight this fall. Next: October 20, 2012

#26 Benefit
With a witch theme inspired by the opera’s production of Macbeth, the Boston Lyric Opera Gala raised $500,000 last year. Next: October 13, 2012