#1 Benefit (up from #3)
Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler will be honored with the Medal of Hope Award at this year’s gala, hosted by Nancy Davis at the Beverly Hilton. The 24th annual celebrity-filled gala has raised more than $46 million in its history, and more than $1.6 million last year alone. The event includes a silent auction and dinner gala featuring live musical performances. Past performers have included biggies like Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, and No Doubt. Next: May 5, 2017
#2 Benefit
The annual gala occasionally moves for special circumstances—such as last year’s off-site event at Marina del Rey to accommodate a grand send-off for the last surviving flight-qualified space shuttle external tank ET-94—but it is typically held at the California Science Center museum. Science Center vice president of food and event services Christina Sion helms the annual ball, now in its 19th year. This year’s event will take inspiration from the “Body Worlds: Pulse” exhibition. Next: May 19, 2017
#3 Benefit
The upcoming season will kick off in the fall with L.A. Phil music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel conducting an all-Mozart program. Last year, Dudamel opened the season with a program that paid homage to the jazz era at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The black-tie event showcased music by George Gershwin and the likes of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Leonard Bernstein. Proceeds from the event support the L.A. Phil’s music education programs, serving more than 150,000 kids, families, and teachers each year. Next: September 26, 2017
#4 Benefit
Hollywood big names come out in full force to support Sean Penn and his J/P Haitian Relief Organization at the annual gala, just six years old. This January’s gala, held at the Montage Beverly Hills raised a whopping $37 million, which included contributions from the Government of France, the Parker Foundation, and World Bank, as well as proceeds from the live auction. Those attending this year included surprise performer Beck, plus Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeffrey Tambor, Emile Hirsch, Edward Norton, Jason Segel, and Nick Jonas. Next: January 2018
#5 Benefit
Since 2002, the ball has raised more than $13 million to support Chrysalis programs; it’s the major fund-raising event for the homelessness and low-income support organization. Each June, held at a private Mandeville Canyon estate, more than 650 people gather to honor leaders across industries—such as Elon Musk, LL Cool J, and Al Gore. Last year’s 15th annual event raised more than $1.44 million. This year’s honorees include Common. Next: June 3, 2017
#6 Benefit
Coming up on its 43rd year is this annual summer fund-raiser for the cancer nonprofit Concern Foundation. The big-scale event draws about 4,000 people and raises about $1.8 million toward a cancer cure. Next: July 2017
#7 Benefit
Last year, the opera celebrated the opening of its 31st season with a new production of Verdi’s Macbeth followed by the annual Opera Ball. The opera’s annual fund-raising gala this year will be tied to a Placido Domingo 50th anniversary concert (and it may not be called the Opera Ball as in the past, with details still pending). Proceeds from the event benefit L.A. Opera’s artistic productions and education and community engagement programs, which reach more than than 140,000 students and community members annually in L.A. Next: November 17, 2017
#8 Benefit
The L.A. Philharmonic kicks off the summer season with an opening-night event at the Hollywood Bowl. The summertime gala includes an exclusive V.I.P. cocktail reception and a gourmet dinner, followed by a concert with fireworks. The benefit concert annually raises more than $1 million for the group’s music education programs, which serve more than 150,000 kids, families, and teachers each year. Next: June 17, 2017
#9 Benefit
This year’s gala at the Beverly Wilshire will honor Lawrence Bender and former Governor Gray Davis and Sharon Davis, with performance excerpts from George Balanchine's homage to Broadway—Who Cares?—to the music of George Gershwin. The event draws about 300 guests, and brings in about $1 million annually. This year will be the seventh annual gala for the 11-year-old organization. Next: April 21, 2017
