#1 Benefit
The Carousel of Hope Ball honored George Clooney at the Beverly Hilton last year. Founded by Barbara and the late Marvin Davis in 1977, the blockbuster benefit takes place every other year and has raised $80 million for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes since its inception, with help from corporate sponsors (like recent presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz) and entertainment industry partners. Next: Fall 2014
#2 Benefit
Hosted by Nancy Davis at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Race to Erase MS raises big money for the organization and its Center Without Walls program. This year’s event was the 20th annual iteration, and the theme was “Love to Erase MS;” It raised $1.8 million. Next: May 2014
#3 Benefit
California Science Center’s Discovery Ball got a boost this year from the coolest prop imaginable: It took place under the wings of the space shuttle Endeavour, which the museum scored from NASA late last year in a major coup for the museum. Amid all the buzz, the museum sold out tables for the event—even before the invitation dropped. Coupled with live auction tallies, the event secured a record-breaking $1.5 million. Christina Sion heads up the annual event, which typically takes its cues from a new exhibit. Next: May 16, 2014
#4 Benefit
The Los Angeles Philharmonic gala opens the season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. This year, the event celebrated the milestone 10th anniversary of the hall and honored its architect Frank Gehry. The concert featured Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, plus installations by video artist and director Netia Jones. Next: September 2014
#5 Benefit
The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s An Unforgettable Evening benefits the Women’s Cancer Research Fund. This year, honorary chairs Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw, and Steven Spielberg welcomed guests to the event, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Chelsea Handler hosted. Next: May 2014
#6 Benefit
Drawing a celeb-heavy crowd to a private Brentwood estate, the 12-year-old Chrysalis Butterfly Ball is the nonprofit's biggest annual benefit, raising funds to support homeless and low-income individuals. In 2013, Max Greenfield hosted the affair. Next: June 2014
#7 Benefit
Women in Film’s Crystal & Lucy Awards celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary this year with a glittering gala at the Beverly Hilton. Jenna Elfman hosted, and Max Mara, Swarovski, and Kodak were among the sponsors. The program, which began in 1977, acknowledges women in a male-dominated industry through the annual award show and fund-raiser. Next: June 2014
#8 Benefit
Concern Foundation’s Block Party at Paramount Pictures Studios raised $1.6 million this year, a significant increase over last year’s event. The 39th annual event had a “Salute to Television” theme and drew 400 guests with four entertainment stages and more than 60 restaurants offering tastings. Next: July 2014
#9 Benefit
This year the Los Angeles Opera celebrated the opening of its 28th season with a night that included the premiere of Carmen, conducted by Los Angeles Opera general director Plácido Domingo. There was also a preperformance champagne reception, a dinner catered by Patina, and entertainment. Following the performance, the celebration continued with hors d’oeuvres, desserts, dancing, and cocktails, all with Spanish flair. Next: September 2014
#10 Benefit
The Dinosaur Ball is the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s biannual black-tie fund-raiser. This year, it took a brief pause from that name and was dubbed the Grand Centennial Celebration in honor of the museum’s 100th birthday—and it exceeded fund-raising goals to bring in more than $2 million. The benefit is slated to return in 2015. Next: June 2015
#11 Benefit (up from #12)
Concours D'Elegance at Greystone Mansion, hosted by the City of Beverly Hills as a fund-raiser for the former Doheny family venue, is a super-exclusive version of the high-end car show, with tickets limited to 3,000 attendees. There’s a fashion show, an award ceremony, and a vendor marketplace. Another popular incarnation of the Concours without a benefit component is free to the public and takes over Beverly Hills’s Rodeo Drive on Father’s Day weekend, drawing thousands. Next: May 4, 2014
#12 Benefit (up from #13)
What debuted in 1999 as a mixer for 50 people at Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete’s home has grown into an important fund-raiser with a guest count of about 500. The HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCares benefit raises money for those living with autism and Parkinson’s and includes a reception, fashion show, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Past honorees have included Michael J. Fox, Donald J. Trump, and Muhammad Ali. Next: Summer 2014
#13 Benefit (up from #14)
U.S.C. Libraries Scripter Award gala, a black-tie event that honors writers for adapting books into film, honored authors Joshuah Bearman and Antonio Mendez and screenwriter Chris Terrio with the 25th annual award for their contributions to Argo this year at Doheny Memorial Library. Next: February 8, 2014
#14 Benefit (up from #15)
This year the Fulfillment Fund’s Stars Benefit at the Beverly Hilton will be hosted by Ed Helms. It will also feature a performance by Pharrell Williams and honor, among others, Sidney Poitier. Next: October 23, 2013
#15 Benefit (up from #17)
Art of Elysium’s Heaven gala is held every year on Golden Globes weekend, and it's the largest annual fund-raiser for the group. Audi was this year’s title sponsor for the event, which took in more than $220,000. Next: January 11, 2014
#16 Benefit (up from #19)
Since 1994, the family-friendly Dream Halloween has raised $16.2 million. The affair benefiting Keep a Child Alive—which acquired the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation in 2012—offers treats for kids, arts and crafts activities, face painting, a sponsor reception, food from local eateries, stage shows, and live and silent auctions at Barker Hangar. This year the event will feature performances by Zendaya and Tori Kelly. Next: October 26, 2013
#17 Benefit (up from #20)
Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl kicks off the summer season. This year’s benefit concert raised more than $1 million for the philharmonic and its education programs. The night includes a V.I.P. preconcert reception, followed by dinner prepared by Patina and served in guest boxes prior to the concert. A fireworks display caps it off. Next: June 2014
