Southern California's Top 100 Events 2018 - Benefits

#1 Benefit (new to the list)
Elton John’s annual fund-raiser continues to rise above the Oscars-night chatter and become a force on its own, raising $5.9 million in one evening this year. Known as one of the must-attend Oscars events for A-list celebrities, the benefit annually takes over a 40,000-square-foot tent in West Hollywood Park and features a dinner, live auction, and performance by an up-and-coming musician; 2018 featured rock band Greta Van Fleet. In the past 26 years, the event has raised more than $62 million to help people at risk for or living with H.I.V./AIDS. Next: February 24, 2019

#2 Benefit (up from #4)
Hollywood’s biggest names come out in full force to support Sean Penn and his Haitian relief organization at the annual gala dinner. This year’s gala, held at Milk Studios in January, raised almost $4 million and honored Leonardo DiCaprio for his work to fight climate change. The evening featured a surprise performance from James Taylor; additional A-list attendees included Brad Pitt and Spike Jonze. Next: January 2019

#3 Benefit (new to the list)
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s 50-year-old benefit is one of the city’s biggest fund-raisers; last year’s event drew 1,000 people and raised nearly $3 million for local and global conservation and education initiatives. Guests, who are invited to dress in “safari casual” attire, get an after-hours glimpse at the zoo before a live auction and high-profile performance: The 2018 edition featured Heart’s Nancy Wilson and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. Animal expert Jack Hanna was honored. Next: May 2019

#4 Benefit
Last month, the 25th anniversary gala raised more than $1.6 million to benefit Race to Erase MS and its Center Without Walls program. Fashion brand Alice & Olivia hosted a runway show during the benefit, and there were performances by Flo Rida and Elle King. Kelly and Jack Osbourne announced the evening’s auction, which included a Ferrari Portofino that went for $250,000. Next: Spring 2019

#5 Benefit
The high-profile annual gala typically centers its theme and decor around its newest exhibit, and the 20th-anniversary event, held in March at the museum, was no exception. Guests were immersed in the glittering discovery of King Tut’s tomb in honor of the new “King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh” exhibit. The evening drew 1,000 guests and set a new fund-raising record of $1.6 million. Next year's benefit will highlight the new “Dogs: A Science Tail” exhibition. Next: March 15, 2019

#6 Benefit (up from #7)
The fourth-largest opera company in the United States was inaugurated in 1986, and will celebrate the opening of its 33rd season with a black-tie, on-stage gala featuring a special performance from Sondra Radvanovsky. The following day will mark the opening night of Don Carlo starring Placido Domingo, followed by a post-performance reception. Proceeds from the opening weekend benefit L.A. Opera’s artistic productions and education and community engagement programs, which reach more than 140,000 students and community members annually in L.A. Next: September 21, 2018

#7 Benefit
The 2017/2018 season kicked off with Mozart-theme gala last September. Led by Los Angeles Philharmonic music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, the evening drew guests such as Mayor Eric Garcetti. 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 27, 2018

#8 Benefit
The Concern Foundation—a mashup of CONquer canCER Now—was created in 1968 to raise and grant funds to support cancer research worldwide. The 2017 iteration drew 4,000 guests and raised $1.7 million; the 2018 event in July will be held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and will have a superhero theme. Next: July 14, 2018

#9 Benefit
Since 2002, the ball has raised more than $15 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 Common, Peter Cramer, and Rosetta and Balthazar Getty last year. The 2017 event was hosted by Jussie Smollett and raised $1.7 million. Next: June 2, 2018

#10 Benefit
This year’s 12th annual gala at the Beverly Wilshire honored dancers and choreographers Jenna Dewan, Derek Hough, and Adam Shankman, and featured a preview performance from the ballet’s Swan Lake. The event, which was hosted by Antique Roadshow’s Mark L. Walberg, drew 325 guests and raised more than $1 million. Next: Spring 2019

#11 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. Last year’s event featured the Moody Blues and raised $1.5 million for the L.A. Phil’s music education programs, which serve more than 150,000 kids, families, and teachers each year. The benefit is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. Next: June 16, 2018