#1 Benefit
The live boxing event Fight Night raised nearly $4 million—a record, through the help and leadership of presenting sponsor Under Armour—and this year will mark its 25th anniversary raising money to support education for low-income children. Companion benefit Knock Out Abuse, which raises money to fight domestic violence, raised $560,000. Guests of the benefits, which are held on the same night with elaborate and elegant event design, join together for an after-party. Next: November 13, 2014
#2 Benefit
A perennial highlight of city's social scene, the Washington National Opera's annual event draws about 500 guests and raised $1 million in 2014. Held at the residence of the Japanese ambassador, this year's event celebrated that country's culture with traditional touchstones—origami, Ikebana floral design, sake—as well as modern elements such as bold lighting projections by Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko. Next: Spring 2015
#3 Benefit
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's benefit gala raised $3 million and featured headlining entertainment from Huey Lewis and the News. It also announced Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America as presenting sponsor of three balls, starting in 2014. Next: March 28, 2015
#4 Benefit
The event paid tribute to outgoing Kennedy Center president Michael M. Kaiser and raised a record $2.4 million. The evening, sponsored by Boeing, included a concert performance of Camelot, dinner, and the 'Til Midnight party on the center's Roof Terrace. Next: May 3, 2015
#5 Benefit
CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley will return as M.C. at the event, which raised a record $3.8 million last year, making it the foundation's top fund-raising event nationally. More than 700 guests are expected to attend the gala and its after-party, dubbed Club Breathe. Next: November 8, 2014
#6 Benefit
More than 1,000 guests gathered for the 20th annual gala, which raised a record $1.7 million. The event's theme was “Graceful, Gracious Japan,” and event designer and board member David Tutera created a Japanese garden in the National Building Museum. Next: March 6, 2015
#7 Benefit (new to the list)
About 700 guests gathered at the National Building Museum for the event, which rotates its beneficiaries and this year supported Teach for America, Don Bosco High School, and TAPS grief counseling camp. Its theme was "An Absinthe Dream" and had decor from Hargrove. The event always has an impressive live auction, with highlights from past years including a round of golf with President George W. Bush in Dallas and a tour of Jay Leno’s car collection. Next: Fall 2015
#8 Benefit
Maria Bartiromo and Joe Piscopo will co-host the gala, which supports the foundation's goals of promoting Italian culture and heritage and mentoring youth. Last year's event raised more than $1 million. Next: October 25, 2014
#9 Benefit
The benefit raises money to support efforts to restore and improve the nation's most-visited national park. The luncheon, which took place inside a tent on the Mall, marked its seventh year and raised about $1.5 million. A companion event, the black-tie Ball on the Mall, took the year off. Next: April 23, 2015
#10 Benefit
The event's future is uncertain after the Corcoran Gallery of Art's merger with the National Gallery and George Washington University. But this year still drew 780 guests, an increase from 2013, and raised about $600,000. Event designers Jack Lucky of Jack H. Lucky Floral Design, Eric Michael from Occasions Caterers, and Peter Grazzini of Perfect Settings once again decorated the tables in the 15 galleries under the theme "Encouraging American Genius." Next: Spring 2015
#11 Benefit
The salute to the nation’s service men and women drew 950 guests to the Washington Hilton and raised $1.6 million last year. This year, comedian Aisha Tyler will serve as M.C., and country singer Kellie Pickler will perform. Next: October 17, 2014
#12 Benefit
Guests dine in small groups at ambassadors' residences and Meridian's White-Meyer House before joining up for dancing and dessert at the historic Meridian House. The guest list includes cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, ambassadors, and business leaders, some of whom attend the Meridian Global Leadership Summit before the ball. The event set an attendance record in 2013 with more than 850 guests. Next: October 17, 2014
#13 Benefit
The gala had a "Jazz Ball" theme this year and Wynton Marsalis was the honorary chairman. The event, which took place at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, had cocktails, dinner, dancing, and performances from the company and its students. Next: Spring 2015
#14 Benefit
The annual gala celebrated the exhibition "Made in the USA: American Masters" and included fashion designer Reed Krakoff among its honorees. The 2014 event drew about 400 guests and included an after-party for young professionals. Next: May 8, 2015
#15 Benefit
The gala, which raised $558,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, brought more than 700 guests to the National Building Museum, which was decorated with a Mardi Gras theme. The event featured about 50 local restaurants that competed for the Taster’s Choice Award, which went to the Source by Wolfgang Puck and chef Steve Drewno. Next: February 17, 2015
#16 Benefit
South African singer and songwriter Vusi Mahlasela—who sang at Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration in 1994 and at Mandela's 90th birthday celebration—headlined the gala. The event raised $750,000 and was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Next: May 2, 2015
#17 Benefit
This year's gala honored John Hurt, Stacy Keach, and Diana Rigg with its William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre and looked to build on last year's fund-raising total of $683,000. The two-venue event began with a performance in Sidney Harman Hall before guests moved to the National Building Museum for dinner and dancing. Next: Fall 2015
#18 Benefit (up from #22)
More than 800 guests help set a record fund-raising total of $1.1 million for the event, which supports arts and education programs. Planners worked with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and celebrated its culture through entertainment and experiences such as henna hand art, a hookah lounge, music from a traditional oud stringed instrument, and art featuring the falcon, the official emblem of the U.A.E., as interpreted by master calligrapher Josh Berer. Next: September 19, 2015
#19 Benefit
The fund-raising dinner has a distinctly Washington twist: The celebrity chefs preparing dishes are Washington notables including United States senators and representatives. They compete for several titles, such as Best Presentation, American Regional Cuisine, and People's Choice. In 2014, about 600 guests attended and helped raise $935,000. Next: April 15, 2015
#20 Benefit
The 36th annual ball, which benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is named in honor of the city's diplomatic corps. Ambassadors and their spouses donate items from their home countries such as travel packages, artwork, wines, and group dinners at the embassies, as part of a silent auction. Next: Fall 2015
#21 Benefit
The event, held at the Four Seasons, is in its 14th year and has corporate sponsors such as Boeing and Turner Construction Company. Next: October 25, 2014
#22 Benefit
The event marked its 15th anniversary this year with 650 guests attending the opening-night performance in the Opera House of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts followed by dinner and dancing. The evening grossed more than $775,000 to support the company's local programs and awarded a new high of 17 scholarships with housing stipends for local dance students to attend the Ailey School in New York. Next: February 3, 2015
#23 Benefit
This year the pet-friendly benefit counted about 1,000 human guests and 500 dogs in attendance at the Washington Hilton and raised nearly $625,000 for the city's animals. Next: June 2015
#24 Benefit
The event recognizes men and women of the military and their families as well as Red Cross volunteers who respond to natural disasters. After briefly moving to the spring, the event returns to the fall this year and will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel. The evening will include a V.I.P. reception and entertainment from the N.F.L. Players Choir. Next: October 18, 2014
#25 Benefit
The denim-theme event set a new fund-raising record at $429,000. Now in its 11th year, the event drew nearly 1,000 guests to Marriott Wardman Park hotel where they sampled dishes from 40 restaurants and vendors. Next: April 26, 2015
#26 Benefit
The gala had a perfect milestone to celebrate this year: William Shakespeare's 450th birthday. About 275 guests attended the black-tie affair, which included cocktails, dinner, and humorous musings about the bard's work by actors—who also led a chorus of "Happy Birthday." The event continues to increase its fund-raising total, this year adding more than $330,000 for the library's programs. Next: Spring 2015
#27 Benefit (new to the list)
Now entering its fourth year, the black-tie gala at the Mellon Auditorium takes on a different theme each year—Arabian Nights in 2013 and Broadway this year. John Lloyd Young, a Tony winner for Jersey Boys, will perform. Next: October 24, 2014
