#1 Benefit
The Best Buddies Gala brings together celebrities and socialites to raise money for projects benefiting individuals with disabilities. In 2017, guests gathered at Ice Palace Studios the 21st anniversary of the black-tie gala, which featured a live performance by Iggy Azalea and raised nearly $3 million. Next: November 16, 2018
#2 Benefit
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and InterContinental Miami come together each year to host more than 900 guests at an elaborate fund-raiser. The 2017 event raised over $2.3 million and featured a performance by Lenny Kravitz and actress Gabrielle Anwar as emcee. Now in its 24th year, the event is known for being a lavish, celebrity-studded affair full of live performers, beautiful artwork, and over-the-top productions. Next: November 2018
#3 Benefit (up from #4)
A sold-out crowd of more than 800 guests gathered at the Breakers Palm Beach to raise more than $3 million for the Everglades Foundation, which was celebrating its 25 anniversary. The benefit was headlined by Jimmy Buffett—a longtime supporter of the organization—along with the Coral Reefer Band, who performed on a stage set up on the beach.
#4 Benefit
Entering its 62nd edition, the Vizcaya Ball continues to be a must-attend black-tie affair. To commemorate the centennial year of the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in 2017, organizers renamed the night the Vizcaya Centennial Gala under the theme “Night of a Thousand Stars.” The sold-out evening included a cocktail reception, dinner, live music, and a fireworks display over Biscayne Bay. Notable guests included Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Carlos A. Giménez. Proceeds support the preservation of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark. Next: November 17, 2018
#5 Benefit (up from #6)
Miami Children’s Health Foundation’s annual Diamond Ball entered its 11th year in 2017 and raised more than $1.5 million for the children and families treated at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. A silent auction backed by National Bank BCI Financial Group boasted fine jewelry, photography, and wines. Held at the Marriott Marquis Miami, the event featured a three-course dinner framed by live music and dancing. Next: October 2018
#6 Benefit (up from #11)
The New World Symphony 30th Anniversary Gala took on a milestone theme: Passing It On: Thirty Years of Musical Innovation. It was the most successful fund-raiser in the gala's history, raising more than $3.1 million to support the development of the fellows, programming, and the community. Next: March 9, 2019
#7 Benefit (up from #8)
Love and Hope will see a new theme and new venue in 2018. Relocating to Miami Beach’s Faena Forum, the benefit will take on a casino theme.The 43rd anniversary of the gala drew 400 to the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood in February, where guests celebrated with a Mardi Gras theme and raised more than $425,000 for the Diabetes Research Institute. Next: April 14, 2018
#8 Benefit (up from #9)
Art of the Party is the museum’s largest annual fund-raiser—bringing in more than $1.3 million at the fourth annual edition on March 17. The benefit, presented by Valentino, honored the contemporary artist Teresita Fernández and philanthropist Patricia Papper, and 900 guests attended. South Beach Wine & Food Festival founder Lee Brian Schrager returned to curate the food experience, which featured collaborations between Starr Catering Group and chef Michelle Bernstein. Next: Spring 2019
#9 Benefit
National YoungArts Week comes to a close with the YoungArts BackYard Ball black-tie gala and after-party celebrating the organization’s top talents, successful alumni, and contributors. This year the gala honored Tarell Alvin McCraney, who won an Academy Award for co-writing the film Moonlight. Italian luxury fashion brand Max Mara returned as the presenting sponsor, and television host Louis Aguirre served as master of ceremonies. The benefit, which raised $1.5 million this year, supports the organization’s mission to nurture with young artists and immerses guests within the works of YoungArts students. Next: January 2019
#10 Benefit
Classic rocker Steve Augeri (once lead vocalist of Journey) headlined 2018’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Déjà Vu Rock Republic: A Tribute to Hard Rock, presented by Publix Super Markets Charities. The musically themed benefit also featured the Shane Duncan and the All Access Band, dinner and dancing, and live and silent auction. The event raised more than $346,000—an increase of $40,000 from the previous year—for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. Next: January 2019
#11 Benefit (up from #12)
The Arsht Center’s 12th annual gala, this year called A Celebration of Leadership, is set to include a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and concert hosted by ABC affiliate WPLG’s Calvin Hughes. The evening will honor John Richard, the center’s president and C.E.O. The concert will feature songs from the great American songbook with performances by Ann Hampton Callaway, Niki Haris, Clint Holmes, and Ramsey Lewis along with gala music director Shelly Berg and the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Next: March 24, 2018
#12 Benefit (up from #16)
The 2018 Golden Angels Centennial Gala was the official kick-off for the Jackson Health System’s 100th Anniversary celebration. The extravagant milestone celebration took place at Wynwood’s Soho Studios and featured acrobatic acts and live music. Caroline Weiss presented a $1 million check to the organization. A raffle for a 2018 Maserati Ghibli donated by Ken Gorin and the Collection punctuated the event. The Centennial celebration raised more than $3 million. Next: January 2019
#13 Benefit (up from #17)
The spring soiree returns to the InterContinental Miami in May, embracing a midcentury theme for its 16th incarnation, along with title sponsor FedEx. The 50's-era inspired event is embracing all things glamorous. The 2017 event raised $1.8 million and welcomed 570 guests. Next: May 19, 2018
#14 Benefit
The 14th annual gala in 2017 welcomed 330 guests gathered at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale and raised more than $350,000. The silent online auction featured hotel stays, signed memorabilia, and all-inclusive vacations. Aetna was the presenting sponsor. Next: November 2018
#15 Benefit
The Frost Museum celebrated its grand opening with a spring gala, A Celebration of Science in May, raising more than $1.2 million in support of its exhibitions and programs. The sold-out evening brought in 750 guests, including state and local government officials, to inaugurate the new downtown Miami building. Musicians from the Frost School of Music performed while guests sipped Castle Brands cocktails and enjoy bites and a dinner by Frost Science executive chef Tony Tehro. Next: May 5, 2018
#16 Benefit
In December, the Bass Museum of Art hosted its first gala after its $12 million renovation, welcoming over 200 art patrons, philanthropists, and collectors. Chanel presented the soiree, which announced a recent major gift of $500,000 by Riccardo and Tatyana Silva toward the institution’s endowment fund. The evening featured cocktails in Collins Park, a performance by Lion Babe, and an elegant dinner and after-party. The night brought in $860,000 for the museum. Next: December 2018
#17 Benefit (new to the list)
The charity event celebrates 30 years this fall as one of the largest social superyacht gatherings in the world, raising more than $30 million to date to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and the 12,500 at-risk youth it serves. The soiree takes over the exclusive Fisher Island Club. In 2017, Yacht Rendezvous featured music by Jason Derulo, “Dine Around the Docks,” and a formal gala. Next: November 8-10, 2018
