#1 Political & Diplomatic Event
Named for the country’s first Catholic presidential nominee, the white-tie Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner has given American political leaders from both sides of the aisle the chance to trade inside jokes and posit commentary for more than 70 years. In 2018, comedian Jim Gaffigan hosted the event and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley served as keynote speaker just one week after announcing her resignation. About 800 guests attended the dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown, raising $3.9 million for Catholic charities. Next: October 17, 2019
#2 Political & Diplomatic Event
The New York Press Corps hosts the annual Inner Circle Show, an evening of cocktails, dinner, and political parody. This year’s show, “Off the Rails,” will feature (fake) appearances by President Donald Trump and Governor Andrew Cuomo among others, as well as a cameo from (real) New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. Now in its 97th year, the event raises money for local charities. Next: April 27, 2019
#3 Political & Diplomatic Event (up from #4)
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Tina Brown’s Women in the World Summit, which focuses on stories of the people at the forefront of the global women’s movement. The three-day event, which in 2018 featured appearances from Hillary Rodham Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg, and Katie Couric, will again take place at Lincoln Center. Next: April 10-12, 2019
