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New York's Top 100 Events 2016 - Benefits

February 16, 2016
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit

#1 Benefit
A who's-who of Hollywood and fashion come together each year for the haute-couture-heavy Met Gala. The 2016 event is inspired by the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, "Manus x Machine: Fashion in an Age of Technology." Co-chairs include actor Idris Elba, singer Taylor Swift, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and designer Karl Lagerfeld. Next: May 2, 2016

Photo: Don Pollard/Metropolitan Museum of Art
2. Robin Hood Foundation Benefit
2. Robin Hood Foundation Benefit

#2 Benefit
Four thousand of New York's elite attend the blockbuster benefit, which raised more than $101 million for New Yorkers in need in 2015 alone. Last year, the organization added two smaller, sold-out parties to engage the next generation of philanthropists. Next: May 9, 2016

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash
3. Museum of Modern Art's Party in the Garden
3. Museum of Modern Art's Party in the Garden

#3 Benefit
In 2015, MoMA's Party in the Garden honored artists Richard Serra and Kara Walker and included a performance by the Weeknd. There's no date set yet for this year's benefit, but organizers say that after 47 years, they have no plans of stopping. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash
4. Whitney Gala and Studio Party
4. Whitney Gala and Studio Party

#4 Benefit
Spurred by the Whitney's relocation to the meatpacking district last year, the event moves from fall to spring in 2016. Roughly 1,500 are expected to gather in the new 220,000-square-foot venue to raise money for the museum. Next: May 17, 2016

Photo: Matthew Carasella
5. American Ballet Theatre's Spring Gala
5. American Ballet Theatre's Spring Gala

#5 Benefit
The 2016 performance will include a world premiere piece by artist in residence Alexi Ratmansky set to music by Leonard Bernstein, as well as appearances by all of ballet's principle dancers. Celebrities like Caroline Kennedy, Sigourney Weaver, and Joel Grey attended last year. Next: May 16, 2016

Photo: Kelly Taub/BFA.com
6. Metropolitan Opera's Opening Night Gala
6. Metropolitan Opera's Opening Night Gala

#6 Benefit
The drama and glamour of opera pervade the black-tie event, which is a staple of the fall gala season. The guest list for the 2015 premiere of Otello included icons like Bette Midler, Diane von Furstenberg, and Dame Helen Mirren. Next: September 26, 2016

Photo: Julie Skarratt/Metropolitan Opera
7. Friends of the High Line Benefit
7. Friends of the High Line Benefit

#7 Benefit
The benefit has helped raise money to maintain and develop the High Line since 1999. Roughly 900 are expected at the Waterfront for this year's dinner. Next: May 23, 2016

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash
8. New York Public Library's Library Lions Benefit
8. New York Public Library's Library Lions Benefit

#8 Benefit
For more than 30 years, the gala has recognized achievements in the fields of art, culture, scholarship, and letters. Gloria Steinem and Alan Bennett were among the honorees in 2015. Next: November 7, 2016

Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Library Lions Benefit
9. Amfar New York Gala
9. Amfar New York Gala

#9 Benefit
Fashion and Hollywood elite attend the unofficial Fashion Week kickoff to raise money for AIDS research. Harry Winston was the presenting sponsor for the 2016 black-tie gala, which honored legendary film producer and longtime Amfar supporter Harvey Weinstein, saw performances by Charli XCX and Icona Pop, and raised more than $2 million. Next: February 2017

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
10. Central Park Conservancy's Frederick Law Olmsted Award Luncheon
10. Central Park Conservancy's Frederick Law Olmsted Award Luncheon

#10 Benefit
The picturesque Conservatory Garden in Central Park is the site of the sold-out alfresco event, which brings in more than 2,000 attendees. The luncheon honors private and civic leaders involved in maintaining and restoring Central Park. Next: May 4, 2016

Photo: Julie Skarratt
11. Frick Collection's Young Fellows Ball
11. Frick Collection's Young Fellows Ball

#11 Benefit
Roughly 600 young socialites gather annually to enjoy cocktails and dancing amongst artistic masterpieces. Dress code this year calls for "Last Days of Disco Black Tie." Next: March 10, 2016

Photo: Christine A. Butler
12. Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Spring Ball
12. Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Spring Ball

#12 Benefit
The fund-raiser moves to the Plaza hotel this year, where 400 guests will gather to support the renowned cancer institution. Next: May 17, 2016

Photo: Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com
13. New York Botanical Garden's Conservatory Ball
13. New York Botanical Garden's Conservatory Ball

#13 Benefit
The 2016 Conservatory Ball will be the highlight of a yearlong celebration of the New York Botanical Garden's 125th anniversary. The event is presented by Oscar de la Renta and will feature the upcoming exhibition "Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas." Next: June 2, 2016

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com
14. Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation's Collaborating for a Cure Gala
14. Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation's Collaborating for a Cure Gala

#14 Benefit
In 2015, the gala honored fashion designer John Varvatos and included a musical performance by John Fogerty. More than 750 guests filled Cipriani Wall Street, raising $2.5 million for cancer research. Next: November 2016

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com
15. Unicef Snowflake Ball
15. Unicef Snowflake Ball

#15 Benefit
Goodwill ambassadors Liam Neeson, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry were just a few of the guests at the 2015 ball, which saw Debi Mazar serve as M.C. Unicef expects 820 people this year. Next: November 29, 2016

Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for UNICEF
16. Keep a Child Alive's Black Ball
16. Keep a Child Alive's Black Ball

#16 Benefit
With performances by Lenny Kravitz and Keep a Child Alive co-founder Alicia Keys, last year's event at the Hammerstein Ballroom raised $3.8 million for AIDS-related treatment and care. Next: November 2016

Photo: Winston Struye
17. New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala
17. New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala

#17 Benefit
Now in its 17th year, the fund-raiser returns to Cipriani 42nd Street in September. Six hundred guests are expected to attend the event, which supports children in foster care in New York City. Next: September 15, 2016

Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
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