Fall 2024 Gala Guide
By • August 14, 2024 0 1605
Here’s our guide to the cream of the crop of Washington’s fall galas and events. Remember to bookmark this page, as others will be added as they are announced.
August 2024
Saturday, Aug. 24
6:30 p.m., Nationals Park
Washington National Opera presents a free broadcast of Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” at Nats Park.
September 2024
Saturday, Sept. 7
2024 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
5 p.m., Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
The Human Rights Campaign’s annual event celebrates advancements in the fight for full LGBTQ equality.
Thursday, Sept. 12
6:30 p.m., 2613 Dumbarton St. NW
Enjoy an evening of food, wine, a silent auction, remarks and more.
Friday, Sept. 13
The Smithsonian: “Our Shared Future”
7-7:30 p.m., Kogod Courtyard, 8th St. NW and G St. NW
Leading up to America’s 250th, the Smithsonian is launching its most ambitious capital campaign ever.
Monday, Sept. 16
Capital Jewish Museum Inaugural Gala
6 p.m., La Maison Française at the Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW
The Capitol Jewish Museum’s inaugural gala will honor Sen. Ben Cardin and Mrs. Myrna Cardin.
Friday, Sept. 20
Citizens Association of Georgetown’s Fall Fundraiser
6 p.m., Coolidge House, 3425 Prospect St. NW
The Georgetowner will mark its 70th anniversary at this CAG fundraiser, a tribute to our neighborhood’s vitality.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Dim All the Lights: The 2024 Wolf Trap Ball
7 p.m., Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia
An evening of dinner and dancing on the Filene Center stage, transformed into a glamorous nightclub and disco.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 30th Annual Gala
Time and location to be announced
More than 1,000 guests will attend this year’s gala, celebrating the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s friendship with the U.K.
Georgetown BID 25th Anniversary
6-8 p.m., 1310 Kitchen & Bar, 1310 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Party like it’s 1999 and celebrate 25 years of the Georgetown Business Improvement District.
Saturday, Sept. 28
National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Gala
4:30 p.m., Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW
The National Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 94th performance season, its eighth under Music Director Gianandrea Noseda.
United Help Ukraine 10th Anniversary Gala
6:30-10:30 p.m., The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW
Celebrate a decade of unwavering support for Ukraine and pay tribute to those who are transforming lives.
October 2024
Saturday, Oct. 5
5:30 p.m., Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW
Area residents and their canine companions will cheer on the people and animals of our community at the Bark Ball, benefiting the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
6 p.m., Private home, Georgetown
At this year’s Spirit of Georgetown, Georgetown Ministry Center will honor longtime GMC volunteer Abbe Lowell.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
6 p.m., Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., 1150 22nd St. NW
The gala will include cocktails, food and a program hosted by TV personality Tim Gunn.
Thursday, Oct. 10
A Wide Circle Presents Neighbor to Neighbor Night 2024: A Night of Intrigue and Impact
6-9 p.m., International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW
The event will honor Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
The 48th Annual Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards
5:30 p.m., Friends Meeting of Washington, D.C., 2111 Decatur Pl. NW
Honor three outstanding champions of human rights.
2024 Child Health Advocate and Now Youth Leaders Awards Celebration
5-9 p.m., La Vie, 88 District Sq. SW #Floor 4.6
The event is open to all members of the children’s environmental health community.
Friday, Oct. 11
2024 Chamber’s Choice Awards & Gala
6-11:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
Celebrates leaders who are contributing to the businesses and neighborhoods of and around D.C.
Saturday, Oct. 12
The Annual Virginia Fall Races
12:30 p.m., Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia
The fall races have been a must-attend event since 1955.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
6 p.m., Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW
The gala celebrates progress in restoring Rock Creek’s forests, building community around the Carter Barron Amphitheater and nurturing current and future Rock Creek stewards.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Washington Area Women’s Foundation Stand Together Reception
6-9 p.m., The National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 NY Ave. NW
The event gathers leaders to celebrate the work of those empowering women and girls of color in the D.C. area.
The 10th Annual Smithsonian Food History Gala
6:30 p.m., The National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW
The gala celebrates the role the Food History Project plays in what we eat.
Middleburg, Virginia
Narrative and documentary films — festival favorites, world and regional premieres, foreign films and Oscar contenders — will be screened in intimate theater environments and followed by conversations with filmmakers, actors and other guests.
Friday, Oct. 18
Pre-ball dinners at over 30 embassies start a lively evening that ends at the Meridian
Oak Hill Cemetery’s 175th Anniversary Gala
6-10 p.m., Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW
Celebrate the honored history and bright future of D.C.’s oldest rural-style cemetery.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Break the Cycle: SOME’s Annual Gala
6 p.m., Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Break the Cycle celebrates the successes of So Others Might Eat, the triumphs of its clients and the recipients of its highest honors.
Monday, Oct. 21
6 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
The annual event brings together over 150 of the area’s chefs and mixologists.
The 2024 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony & Gala
The National Archives, 701 Constitution Ave. NW
This year’s event honors David Grann, Martin Scorsese and Lily Gladstone.
Monday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 27
The Washington International Horse Show
Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
The famed show will be held over seven days and nights in the Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center.
Thursday, Oct. 24
MLK, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW
Jay Epstein will be honored this year.
7-11 p.m., The National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 NY Ave. NW
The event will help support the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley hospital.
Friday, Oct. 25
11:15 a.m.-2 p.m., Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons
The event supports the services and resources from Arts Fairfax.
2024 Fair Chance Butterfly Bash
7 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
The Butterfly Bash supports Fair Chance’s vision of a world where every child succeeds.
Saturday, Oct. 26
German-American Heritage Foundation Gala
6 p.m., Organization of American States, 201 18th St. NW
The evening celebrates German American culture.
7 p.m., The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW
The event raises funds for the VIVA School of Dance.
The 49th Annual National Italian American Foundation Gala
5:30 p.m., Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW
NIAF’s 49th Anniversary Washington, D.C. Gala will celebrate the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction
6 p.m., Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW
The honorary chef at this year’s event is owner of All Purpose Mike Friedman.
November 2024
Friday, Nov. 1
6:30-10 p.m., Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW
Enjoy the enchantment and elegance of Austen’s world with wine, dessert, and dancing.
Saturday, Nov. 2
6:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
The Blue Hope Bash benefits patients and caregivers served by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Breakthrough T1D Mid-Atlantic Hope Gala
6 p.m., MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland
The Breakthrough T1D Hope Gala brings together more than 700 philanthropic community leaders to raise critical funds for type 1 diabetes research.
Thursday, Nov. 7
March of Dimes Heroines of Washington
6 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
Heroines of Washington recognizes and honors women in the D.C. metro area for their dedication to community service.
Saturday, Nov. 2
6 p.m., Bethesda North Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Rd., Bethesda
Celebrate Paths for Families’ mission to serve families’ well-being.
JDRF Champions 2024 Mid-Atlantic Hope Gala
6 p.m., MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, MD
The event raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
6:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
The Blue Hope Bash benefits patients and caregivers served by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Breakthrough T1D Mid-Atlantic Hope Gala
6 p.m., MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland
The Breakthrough T1D Hope Gala brings together more than 700 philanthropic community leaders to raise critical funds for type 1 diabetes research.
Thursday, Nov. 7
March of Dimes Heroines of Washington
6 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
Heroines of Washington recognizes and honors women in the D.C. metro area for their dedication to community service.
Saturday, Nov. 9
The 74th Annual Tartan Ball and Silent Auction
6:30 p.m., The National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW
The evening celebrates Scottish-American heritage.
“Illuminating Inclusion” The Arc of Northern Virginia’s 2024 Gala
6-11 p.m., Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr., Tysons
The Arc’s gala helps to raise funds for its programs.
D.C.’s Dancing Stars Gala 2024
6 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel Georgetown, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Local dancers and celebrities compete for charities.
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Wendt Center for Loss and Healing’s 49th Anniversary Benefit
The Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
The Wendt Center does important work to support children and adults who are grieving traumatic loss in and around Washington, D.C. — wendtcenter.org
Thursday, Nov. 14
Global Leadership Awards Gala of the International Student House of Washington, D.C.
6 p.m., The National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW
This year’s 2024 Global Leadership awardee is The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, representative of the U.S. to the United Nations. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will also be keynote speaker for the event.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Washington Business Hall of Fame
5:30 p.m., The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW
The 2024 laureates are Rosie Allen-Herring, president and CEO of the United Way of the National Capital, Nate Davis, retired chairman and CEO of Stride Learning, Inc., Geoffrey Pohanka, chairman of Pohanka Auto Group, and Kevin C. Virostek, retired Greater Washington Managing Partner, EY.
Thursday, Nov. 21
2024 Marie Curie Legacy Dinner
6:30 p.m., The Residence de France, 2221 Kalorama Rd. NW
Enjoy an intimate dinner feting Institut Curie’s latest cancer treatment and diagnosis advancements.
Saturday, Nov. 23
TransformerDC 20th Annual Benefit Auction Gala
American University’s Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
With Diplomatic Chair Ambassador Petra Schneebauer, Embassy of Austria and Honorary Chairs Mera and Don Rubell of The Rubell Museum.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Woodley House’s 28th Annual Movie Benefit
5:30 p.m., VIP reception at J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse, 7 p.m., program and film screening at AFI
The Movie Benefit is the biggest annual event supporting critical housing and services for individuals living with mental illness. This year’s screening will be the new film “Conclave,” presented by Focus Features.
December 2024
Saturday, Dec. 7
National Children’s Museum’s Dreamers Gala
6 p.m., Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW
The 50th Anniversary Dreamers Gala will celebrate the impact of the museum’s first half-century.
Sunday, Dec. 8
47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
This year’s honorees: Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval and the Apollo.
The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker Tea Party
3 p.m., The Waldorf Astoria, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
The annual Nutcracker Tea Party highlights one of the crown jewels of D.C.—the gorgeous cherry blossoms. Tea party tickets also include tickets to either the 1 p.m. matinee or 5:30 p.m. evening performance of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre.
Thursday, Dec. 12
AFCEA DC’s 48th Annual Winter Gala
7:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
Join the who’s who in the federal IT community with immersive experiences and sensory delights.
Friday, Dec. 13
British Christmas Luncheon Gala
12 p.m., The Fairmont, 2401 M St. NW
The British-American Business Association is hosting its 28th annual Christmas luncheon this year.
The Willard Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
The gala is the yearly event that celebrates the Romanian-American Partnership and honors the achievements of those who have furthered it.
Monday, Dec. 16
The Choral Arts Society’s 44th Annual Holiday Concert & Gala
7 p.m., The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
The Choral Arts Annual Holiday Concert and Gala is a highlight of the Washington holiday season and entertains over 400 local business leaders, diplomatic dignitaries, DC trendsetters and more.
