Fall Gala Guide: Must-Attend Events and Balls
By • October 6, 2022 0 3035
Fall gala season is upon us! Here are the must-attend events, balls and galas from now into early November.
October 2022
Saturday, Oct. 8
The 68th Annual Virginia Fall Races
Gates open at 8 a.m. and the first race is 12:30 p.m., Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia 20117.
The $30,000 National Sporting Library & Museum Cup returns as the marquee race of the day & the $25,000 Magalen O. Bryant Memorial will run in memory of Mrs. Magalen O. Bryant. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early. Fox hunting enthusiasts from across the country will compete for the title and $5,000 in prize money.
Wednesday, Oct. 12
The Washington Concert Opera 2022 Gala
6-11 p.m., La Maison Francaise, 4101 Reservoir Rd. NW
Proceeds will directly benefit our performances, professional training initiatives with young musicians, community outreach events and educational programming.
Thursday, Oct. 13
Through Sunday Oct. 16, Check website for specific times and places.
The Middleburg Film Festival offers four days of fantastic films. A carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films screen in intimate theatre environments, followed by fascinating conversations with world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and other special guests. The films include festival favorites, world and regional premieres, first-class foreign films, and Oscar contenders.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19
Georgetown Ministry Center honors the John Dickson House, hosted by Pamela and Byrne Murphy at 1312 30th St. NW, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20
6 p.m., The Schuyler, 1001 14th St. NW
The Halcyon Awards recognize & honor change makers and trailblazers who dedicate their lives to positive social change.
Friday, Oct. 21
7-11:30 p.m., Meridian House, 1630 Crescent Place NW
Now in its 54th year, the Ball is known for intimate Ambassador-hosted dinners, in addition to a dinner hosted by Meridian at its White-Meyer House. Following dinner, all guests gather for dancing, dessert, and dialogue at Meridian House, an architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Saturday, Oct. 22
5-7:30 p.m., Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd. NW
Rock Creek Conservancy has hosted an annual gala every fall since 2015, celebrating the Rock Creek community and all who make their work possible. All the proceeds of the Gala go towards the mission of the Conservancy, helping fuel the people-powered restoration that helps to protect the forests, keep our water clean, improve the park visitor experience, and increase equity of access to the park.
Citizens Association of Georgetown Annual Fall Fundraiser & Cocktail Party
6 p.m., Ukraine House, 2134 Kalorama Road NW
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment, while celebrating the vibrance of CAG and the vitality of our Georgetown neighbors, and the Ukrainian Embassy on M Street.
Tony & Joe’s Shuck It! Oyster & Beer Festival
1-5 p.m., Tony & Joe’s, 3000 K St. NW
The ninth annual festival is back with all things oysters and beer.
Monday, Oct. 24
Washington International Horse Show
Through Sunday Oct. 30, time varies depending on specific show, The Show Place Arena, Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD.
Established in 1958, the prestigious and popular national and international equestrian event will return to the Washington, D.C., area October 24-30, 2022, with newly elevated CSI5*-W status, and an additional day of competition. It will be held over seven days and three nights at The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Saturday, Oct. 29
The National Italian American Foundation Gala
5:30 p.m., Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW
Each year, NIAF hosts events and activities that help the Foundation raise funds in support of its mission to build unity in the Italian American community nationwide. The most notable of those annual events are the New York City Gala, the NIAF Invitational Golf Tournament in New York, and the centerpiece, the Anniversary Gala weekend every October in Washington, D.C.
Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
5:30 p.m., Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
The support generated from this event will help fuel the work for equality.
8 p.m., The Ritz Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW
Chaired by Avi Benaim and Karen Paris and Estee and Elliott Portnoy, makes its full return on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
November 2022
Saturday, Nov. 5
Butterfly Bash: A Night with the Stars
6 p.m., The National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW
Fair Chance strengthens the sustainability and performance of community-based non-profits to achieve life-changing results for children and youth experiencing poverty.
6 p.m., MGM National Harbor
This year’s event will take place at the MGM National Harbor and features seated dinner, fantastic silent and live auctions, Fund A Cure opportunities, and an exciting after party.
6-11 p.m., Grand Hyatt, 1000 H St. NW
Break The Cycle: SOME’s Annual Gala, is held annually to celebrate the successes of our work at So Others Might Eat, the triumphs of our clients, and recipients of SOME’s highest honors.
Saturday, Nov. 12
The 2022 Portrait of a Nation Gala (previously the American Portrait Gala) will take place at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Galler. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a private viewing of the Portrait Gallery’s “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees”” exhibition, a seated dinner, awards presentations and a special performance. Honorees include José Andrés, Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman and Anthony Fauci ,M.D., Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
