1. Robin Hood Benefit
New York
As one of the largest fundraising events in the country, this annual gala continues to be a showstopping affair. This year, the evening raised a record-breaking $126 million to support families living in poverty throughout New York. The night saw many memorable moments, including a live auction bid for $8 million for a trip to space with Blue Origin, and live performances by Charlie Puth and John Legend. Held at the Javits Center—as it has been for the past 15-plus years—the 2022 Robin Hood Benefit drew 3,000 guests and boasted striking, clever design by David Stark. Guests entered through an archway that featured 5,200 pairs of Bombas socks arranged to mimic the Manhattan skyline and were met with a 32,000-square-foot cocktail space. Inside, myriad windows hung from the ceiling and displayed projected images of New York City, with the Robin Hood Foundation's logo sprinkled throughout. Next: TBD 2023
See more: Robin Hood Benefit 2022: See How the Events Team Pulled Off the Annual Benefit, From Blueprints to Star-Studded Bash
As one of the largest fundraising events in the country, this annual gala continues to be a showstopping affair. This year, the evening raised a record-breaking $126 million to support families living in poverty throughout New York. The night saw many memorable moments, including a live auction bid for $8 million for a trip to space with Blue Origin, and live performances by Charlie Puth and John Legend. Held at the Javits Center—as it has been for the past 15-plus years—the 2022 Robin Hood Benefit drew 3,000 guests and boasted striking, clever design by David Stark. Guests entered through an archway that featured 5,200 pairs of Bombas socks arranged to mimic the Manhattan skyline and were met with a 32,000-square-foot cocktail space. Inside, myriad windows hung from the ceiling and displayed projected images of New York City, with the Robin Hood Foundation's logo sprinkled throughout. Next: TBD 2023
See more: Robin Hood Benefit 2022: See How the Events Team Pulled Off the Annual Benefit, From Blueprints to Star-Studded Bash
Photo: Courtesy of Robin Hood
2. Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival
Toronto
Featuring more than 90 global vintners and 19 private gourmet dinners hosted throughout the city of Toronto, this year's Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, presented by ECN Capital, was one for the books. The event attracted more than 3,000 guests across three days and raised more than $59 million for the University Health Network (UHN), which included a landmark donation of $52 million from the John and Myrna Daniels Foundation. Funds raised help to support Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab, and the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. This year, funds will also go toward the construction of Canada's first purpose-built geriatric emergency medicine center that's expected to open in 2025. Other notable moments included the Halpern Portfolio Tasting raising more than $1.3 million for UHN Foundation, and 13 guests purchasing a piece, donated by renowned artist Mr. Brainwash, for $1.3 million—the artwork will be placed at UHN to commemorate the event. Next: Oct. 26-28, 2023
Featuring more than 90 global vintners and 19 private gourmet dinners hosted throughout the city of Toronto, this year's Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, presented by ECN Capital, was one for the books. The event attracted more than 3,000 guests across three days and raised more than $59 million for the University Health Network (UHN), which included a landmark donation of $52 million from the John and Myrna Daniels Foundation. Funds raised help to support Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab, and the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. This year, funds will also go toward the construction of Canada's first purpose-built geriatric emergency medicine center that's expected to open in 2025. Other notable moments included the Halpern Portfolio Tasting raising more than $1.3 million for UHN Foundation, and 13 guests purchasing a piece, donated by renowned artist Mr. Brainwash, for $1.3 million—the artwork will be placed at UHN to commemorate the event. Next: Oct. 26-28, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival
3. Naples Winter Wine Festival
Up from #4
Naples, Fla.
This year's fundraising event marked the first one held in person after a virtual auction in 2021, and oenophiles surely showed up and showed out for the occasion, breaking fundraising and attendance records. Held in January at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort - Naples, the event brought in 600-plus attendees who helped raise a record-breaking nearly $22 million that supports more than 275,000 underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. Live auction highlights included the first “Million Dollar Meal” at Bleu Provence in Naples, which sold to 40 couples at $25,000 each, and rare automobiles (the first 2022 Bentley Flying Spur and a 2021 First Edition Ford Bronco complemented with Magnums from each of the participating 2022 NWWF vintners), which went for $680,000 and $280,000, respectively. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised nearly $244 million to help its local community. Next: Feb. 3-5, 2023
Naples, Fla.
This year's fundraising event marked the first one held in person after a virtual auction in 2021, and oenophiles surely showed up and showed out for the occasion, breaking fundraising and attendance records. Held in January at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort - Naples, the event brought in 600-plus attendees who helped raise a record-breaking nearly $22 million that supports more than 275,000 underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. Live auction highlights included the first “Million Dollar Meal” at Bleu Provence in Naples, which sold to 40 couples at $25,000 each, and rare automobiles (the first 2022 Bentley Flying Spur and a 2021 First Edition Ford Bronco complemented with Magnums from each of the participating 2022 NWWF vintners), which went for $680,000 and $280,000, respectively. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised nearly $244 million to help its local community. Next: Feb. 3-5, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Naples Winter Wine Festival
4. Two x Two for AIDS and Art Gala and Auction
Dallas
For this year's benefit gala dinner and contemporary art auction, 535 guests gathered at The Rachofsky House on Oct. 22 to raise funds for two charitable organizations: the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Chicago-born artist Rashid Johnson was selected as amfAR’s 2022 Honored Artist for his significant influence on the art community and beyond. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon were the hosts of the evening, which raised $9.4 million, bringing the event's total impact to more than $113 million in its 23-year history. Each year the design and production created by Todd Fiscus focus on an aspect of the art world, bringing into focus the impact art can have on the world of event design. Next: TBD 2023
For this year's benefit gala dinner and contemporary art auction, 535 guests gathered at The Rachofsky House on Oct. 22 to raise funds for two charitable organizations: the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Chicago-born artist Rashid Johnson was selected as amfAR’s 2022 Honored Artist for his significant influence on the art community and beyond. Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon were the hosts of the evening, which raised $9.4 million, bringing the event's total impact to more than $113 million in its 23-year history. Each year the design and production created by Todd Fiscus focus on an aspect of the art world, bringing into focus the impact art can have on the world of event design. Next: TBD 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Two x Two for AIDS and Art Gala and Auction
5. City Harvest
New to the list
New York
Making its debut appearance on our annual Top 100 Events list, New York's 39th annual City Harvest Gala raised a record-breaking amount of $5.2 million to feed 12 million people across the state. Produced by local event production company JWP, the Red Supper Club-themed event was held on April 26 at Cipriani 42nd Street, where more than 500 guests gathered to support City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue nonprofit organization. The star-studded guest list included big names like John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, and Neil Patrick Harris, to name a few. Famed event planner and City Harvest Gala co-chair Colin Cowie spearheaded the gala's design, which leaned into the theme to feature an elegant red hue. Next: April 25, 2023
See more: See Inside the Star-Studded 2022 City Harvest Gala
New York
Making its debut appearance on our annual Top 100 Events list, New York's 39th annual City Harvest Gala raised a record-breaking amount of $5.2 million to feed 12 million people across the state. Produced by local event production company JWP, the Red Supper Club-themed event was held on April 26 at Cipriani 42nd Street, where more than 500 guests gathered to support City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue nonprofit organization. The star-studded guest list included big names like John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, and Neil Patrick Harris, to name a few. Famed event planner and City Harvest Gala co-chair Colin Cowie spearheaded the gala's design, which leaned into the theme to feature an elegant red hue. Next: April 25, 2023
See more: See Inside the Star-Studded 2022 City Harvest Gala
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for City Harvest
6. Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada Gala - Teddy Bear Affair
New to the list
Toronto
After being held as a series of intimate dinners in 2021, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada Gala—also known as the Teddy Bear Affair—returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Nov. 5, 2022, and raised a record $2.4 million. Proceeds from the annual black-tie gala go toward improving the lives of children, youth, and families involved in the Canadian child welfare system. Toronto’s top philanthropists and corporations (think: Deloitte, Salesforce, and BMW Canada, among others) gathered for an evening of live auctions, live performances, and making a difference in their community. Next: TBD 2023
Toronto
After being held as a series of intimate dinners in 2021, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada Gala—also known as the Teddy Bear Affair—returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Nov. 5, 2022, and raised a record $2.4 million. Proceeds from the annual black-tie gala go toward improving the lives of children, youth, and families involved in the Canadian child welfare system. Toronto’s top philanthropists and corporations (think: Deloitte, Salesforce, and BMW Canada, among others) gathered for an evening of live auctions, live performances, and making a difference in their community. Next: TBD 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Children’s Aid Foundation
7. True Patriot Love National Tribute Dinner
Up from #11
Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver
Hosted as four different dinners in three different cities on the same night in November, this year's True Patriot Love National Tribute Dinner (formerly known as the True Patriot Love Gala) took a creative approach to be able to gather 620 guests in person for the first time since 2019. In addition to a virtual silent auction, the multi-venue event invited influential leaders and distinguished military representatives and dignitaries to Casa Loma and Fermenting Cellar in Toronto, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, and Bessborough Armoury in Vancouver. The 14th annual event raised more than $1.1 million to provide much-needed support to Canada's military members, veterans, and their families. Next: Nov. 10, 2023
Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver
Hosted as four different dinners in three different cities on the same night in November, this year's True Patriot Love National Tribute Dinner (formerly known as the True Patriot Love Gala) took a creative approach to be able to gather 620 guests in person for the first time since 2019. In addition to a virtual silent auction, the multi-venue event invited influential leaders and distinguished military representatives and dignitaries to Casa Loma and Fermenting Cellar in Toronto, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, and Bessborough Armoury in Vancouver. The 14th annual event raised more than $1.1 million to provide much-needed support to Canada's military members, veterans, and their families. Next: Nov. 10, 2023
Photo: Mark Holleron, Holleron Photography
8. Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing and After-Party
Los Angeles
Amid the Academy Awards' glamorous series of events, The Elton John AIDS Foundation hosted its 30th annual Academy Awards viewing party at West Hollywood Park on March 27. Hosted by Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Eric McCormack, and foundation chairman David Furnish, the celebrity-clad soiree included a live performance by Brandi Carlile, a virtual performance by Elton John himself, who couldn't join in person due to his rescheduled tour, and a live auction hosted by Simon de Pury that raised $8.6 million for the foundation's work to end AIDS. Antony Todd designed the event while Virginia Fout of V Productions oversaw event production.
See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Amid the Academy Awards' glamorous series of events, The Elton John AIDS Foundation hosted its 30th annual Academy Awards viewing party at West Hollywood Park on March 27. Hosted by Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Eric McCormack, and foundation chairman David Furnish, the celebrity-clad soiree included a live performance by Brandi Carlile, a virtual performance by Elton John himself, who couldn't join in person due to his rescheduled tour, and a live auction hosted by Simon de Pury that raised $8.6 million for the foundation's work to end AIDS. Antony Todd designed the event while Virginia Fout of V Productions oversaw event production.
See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Photo: Brian To/Crumble Catering
9. Toronto Taste
New to the list
Toronto
The 30th anniversary of Canada's premier culinary event raised more than $1 million (the equivalent of 2,067,467 meals) for Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue charity. Held at Evergreen Brick Works on June 12, the foodie-favorite event featured a comprehensive lineup of 48 chefs and restaurants from Toronto, 23 beverage purveyors, raffles, silent and live auctions, and more. Fun-filled activities included a “Cake or Fake?” activity (pictured) hosted by April Julian, where the event’s 1,447 guests guessed whether the object was real or actually a cake; and the popular Chefs Challenge, hosted by gastronaut Bob Blumer and TV personality Bianca Osbourne, who instructed chefs to prepare a dish based on the ingredients in their mystery box in only 30 minutes. Next: TBD 2023
Toronto
The 30th anniversary of Canada's premier culinary event raised more than $1 million (the equivalent of 2,067,467 meals) for Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue charity. Held at Evergreen Brick Works on June 12, the foodie-favorite event featured a comprehensive lineup of 48 chefs and restaurants from Toronto, 23 beverage purveyors, raffles, silent and live auctions, and more. Fun-filled activities included a “Cake or Fake?” activity (pictured) hosted by April Julian, where the event’s 1,447 guests guessed whether the object was real or actually a cake; and the popular Chefs Challenge, hosted by gastronaut Bob Blumer and TV personality Bianca Osbourne, who instructed chefs to prepare a dish based on the ingredients in their mystery box in only 30 minutes. Next: TBD 2023
Photo: Aliyaan Amlani-Kurji/Toronto Taste
10. Heroes Gala
Toronto
Hosted by Right To Play—a nonprofit that aims to protect, educate, and empower children in its community to rise above adversity by partnering with more than 70 indigenous communities in Canada and globally—the Heroes Gala made a welcomed return following a two-year hiatus. The black-tie event brought together 1,000 guests for an evening filled with playful activations and indigenous art and entertainment. The gala was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and raised $3.1 million to support programs that protect and educate the 1.52 million children who are a part of the Right to Play community in 15 countries globally. A special moment of the night included Larry Tanenbaum receiving the first-ever Humanitarian Award for his longstanding commitment and support of Right To Play and its Indigenous Programs in Canada. Next: TBD 2023
Hosted by Right To Play—a nonprofit that aims to protect, educate, and empower children in its community to rise above adversity by partnering with more than 70 indigenous communities in Canada and globally—the Heroes Gala made a welcomed return following a two-year hiatus. The black-tie event brought together 1,000 guests for an evening filled with playful activations and indigenous art and entertainment. The gala was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and raised $3.1 million to support programs that protect and educate the 1.52 million children who are a part of the Right to Play community in 15 countries globally. A special moment of the night included Larry Tanenbaum receiving the first-ever Humanitarian Award for his longstanding commitment and support of Right To Play and its Indigenous Programs in Canada. Next: TBD 2023
Photo: Garcia Creative/Heroes Gala
