New York's Top 100 Events 2018 - Benefits

#1 Benefit
Mixing fashion and fund-raising, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit draws 550 celebrities, socialites, and fashion industry insiders who bring avant-garde, show-stopping style to the red carpet. In 2017, the event raised more than $12 million and celebrated the museum’s “Art of the In-Between” exhibit featuring the work of Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garçons, with Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams joining Vogue’s Anna Wintour as co-hosts. The 2018 gala highlights the upcoming “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” exhibit, which addresses the intersection of fashion and classic religious art. Amal Clooney, Rihanna, Donatella Versace, and Wintour will co-host. Next: May 7, 2018

#2 Benefit
The 2017 Robin Hood Benefit generated $54.5 million, more than any other single-night New York fund-raiser, which the Robin Hood Foundation uses to fight poverty in New York. Themed “Love and Leadership,” the event featured a 100-piece marching band and performances by Miley Cyrus, Dave Chappelle, and Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland of Coldplay. The event attracts 4,000 attendees to the Jacob K. Javits Center. Next: May 2018

#3 Benefit
MoMA’s annual Party in the Garden, which takes place in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, honors artists and philanthropists while raising money to benefit the museum. Last year’s event raised $4.1 million and celebrated Eva and Glenn Dubin, Susan and David Rockefeller, Vija Celmins, and Carrie Mae Weems. James Blake performed at the after-party. Next: Spring 2018

#4 Benefit
In 2017, the Whitney Gala and Studio Party raised a record-breaking $5.2 million for the renowned American art museum. This year, Audi returns as a sponsor at the stylish fete, and honorees include board members Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo and Beth Rudin DeWoody, as well as artist Lorna Simpson. Fifteen-hundred guests are expected to attend. Next: May 22, 2018

#5 Benefit
The American Ballet Theatre’s 2017 Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House raised a record $3.4 million for the dance company. This year’s party will feature a performance of Afterite, a world premiere by Wayne McGregor set to Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, as well as excerpts from Harlequinade, Alexei Ratmansky’s new full-length ballet. Next: May 21, 2018

#6 Benefit
The Metropolitan Opera’s Opening Night Gala has been a staple on the New York City event circuit since 1883. Last year, the Met raised $4.9 million when it opened the season with Bellini’s Norma, directed by Carlo Rizzi and starring Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role. Georgina Chapman, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Anna Chlumsky, and Jerry Hall were among the notable attendees. Next: September 2018

#7 Benefit
In 2017, 600 guests celebrated at the Friends of the High Line Spring Benefit, which honored board member Ellen Fitzsimmons; Michael and Deborah McCarthy, who have helped bring international attention to the High Line; and the Standard, High Line hotel, which offers a guest contribution program to raise money for the elevated urban park. The event, which raised more than $3 million, started with cocktails at Skylight Modern before moving to the Waterfront for dinner. Next: May 10, 2018

#8 Benefit
Tom Brokaw and Michael Chabon were among the honorees at the 2017 Library Lions Benefit, which highlights the contributions of outstanding artists to the creative community. Set in the New York Public Library’s grand main branch along Fifth Avenue, one of Manhattan’s most impressive spaces, the fund-raiser is the library’s largest event of the year. Next: November 5, 2018

#9 Benefit (up from #10)
Known as the “Hat Luncheon,” the Frederick Law Olmsted Award Luncheon raised $4.5 million and drew more than 1,200 guests in 2017, most donning eye-catching headwear. The event honors community leaders who support the restoration and maintenance of Central Park. In honor of the event’s 35th anniversary, the Women’s Committee and Board of Trustees of the Central Park Conservancy, which hosts the luncheon, committed to raise at least $5 million to transform the park’s Conservancy Garden. Next: May 2, 2018

#10 Benefit (up from #11)
More than 600 burgeoning art enthusiasts attend the Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball, which this year will be centered around the theme “Virtue and Vice.” Proceeds from the evening support programming at the museum. Next: March 15, 2018

#11 Benefit
Each year, the Amfar New York Gala kicks off New York Fashion Week by paying tribute to notable advocates committed to the fight against AIDS. Now in its 20th year, the 2018 event, which honored Hollywood’s Lee Daniels and W magazine editor Stefano Tonchi and featured a performance by Halsey, raised $1.6 million. Event chairs include Scarlett Johansson, Heidi Klum, and Neil Patrick Harris. Next: February 2019

#12 Benefit
Sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, the 11th annual Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Spring Ball returns to the Plaza Hotel. About 350 guests dine and dance at the hospital fund-raiser, which last year yielded more than $1 million for the hospital and included a performance by disco queen Gloria Gaynor. Next: May 22, 2018

#13 Benefit
The Unicef Snowflake Ball, now in its 14th year, honors philanthropists and celebrities who work to put children first. Harry Connick, Jr. hosted the 2017 edition, which took place at Cipriani Wall Street and raised $3.7 million. Next: November 2018

#14 Benefit
Some 600 guests attend the New York Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Ball, an annual celebration since 1975, and raised $1.7 million. This year’s event will honor Gregory Long’s 29-year tenure as C.E.O. of the garden and highlight the new exhibition “Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai’i.” Next: June 7, 2018

#15 Benefit
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Center has hosted the Collaborating for a Cure Gala since 1997. Chris Wragge of CBS 2 News emceed last year’s event at Cipriani Wall Street, which was attended by 800 guests and featured a musical performance from the Avett Brothers. Hugh Hildesley, executive vice president of Sotheby’s, led a live auction that contributed to the fund-raising total of $2.5 million for cancer research programs. Ziggy Marley, Joe Walsh, Steely Dan, and Counting Crows have provided entertainment in past years. Next: November 15, 2018

#16 Benefit (up from #18)
Whoopi Goldberg hosted the 2017 Prostate Cancer Foundation’s New York Dinner, which raised $18 million for cancer treatment for veterans. Along with a performance from Jennifer Hudson, the event at Cipriani at 42nd Street featured a guest list that included Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, and Candace Bushnell. Next: November 2018

#17 Benefit
The Tribeca Ball showcases the New York Academy of Art’s emerging artists while raising money to fund the school’s public programming and scholarships. In 2018, the 23rd annual celebration will honor artist Mickalene Thomas and feature one-night-only exhibitions, interactive installations, musical performances, and dinner from chef Daniel Boulud. Next: April 9, 2018

#18 Benefit
New Yorkers For Children works to transform the lives of New York youth in foster care. Five-hundred people attend the organization’s annual fall gala, which was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in 2017 and raised more than $1 million. Next: Fall 2018