Fall 2026 Gala Guide
By • September 17, 2026 0 1433
★ Tony Powell’s Fall Picks
SEPTEMBER 2026
Thursday, Sept. 17
4:30 to 10 p.m.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute closes its Sept. 15-16 Leadership Conference with its signature awards gala, under this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme: “Presence. Persistence. Power.”
The 1751 Party
6:30 to 8:30 p.m., City Tavern, 3206 M St. NW
The Citizens Association of Georgetown celebrates Georgetown’s 275th anniversary with The 1751 Party at historic City Tavern. The neighborhood gathering pays tribute to the year Georgetown was founded, with tickets appropriately priced at $275.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
5:30 to 9 p.m., U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE
Friends of the National Arboretum gathers champions of agriculture, conservation and policy for cocktails in the National Herb Garden and a tented dinner in view of the Capitol Columns.
Friday, Sept. 25
★ The 2026 Wolf Trap Ball — Tony’s Pick
7 p.m., Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia
“The Rhythm of New Orleans” marks the nation’s 250th anniversary with a black-tie evening on the Filene Center stage, a menu curated by chef David Guas and an appearance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Dominic and Nedda Dragisich and Kevin and Kate Robbins co-chair.
2026 Dinner of Champions: Nation’s Capital
6 to 11 p.m., Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Presidential Ballroom, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Presented by Vanda Pharmaceuticals, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s premier fundraising event returns as the organization celebrates 80 years of progress in the fight against multiple sclerosis — and invests in the breakthroughs still to come.
Saturday, Sept. 26
2026 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
Welcome reception at 5 p.m., program at 7 p.m.
HRC’s annual black-tie dinner celebrates advances in the fight for full LGBTQ+ equality and regularly draws cabinet officials, members of Congress and headline entertainers. The Mayflower is the official dinner hotel.
50 Forward! — The Washington Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
7 p.m., National Union Building, Downtown Washington, D.C.
The Washington Ballet celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary season with 50 Forward!, an evening looking back at five decades of dance — and ahead to its next chapter. Guests can explore interactive historical galleries, enjoy cocktails with Artistic Director Edwaard Liang and Company dancers, and dance to live music by Black Alley, followed by an exclusive speakeasy after-party.
OCTOBER 2026
Thursday, Oct. 1
Friends of Rose Park Annual Fundraiser Gala
6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Alsop House
Friends and neighbors gather at the historic Alsop House for Friends of Rose Park’s annual fall fundraiser, supporting one of Georgetown’s most beloved neighborhood parks.
Cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner and program at 7:15 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, Virginia
Lombardi Women marks 20 years of raising funds for breast cancer research at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research. Commercial real estate leader and entrepreneur Jessica Miller — founder and CEO of Rock Spring Real Estate Solutions and co-founder of REAiL — receives the 2026 Spirit of Life Award, which honors generosity and commitment to advancing breast cancer research. Meredith LaPier, vice chairman at CBRE, co-chairs.
Thursday, Oct. 8
The Spirit of Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia
The annual benefit supports Mount Vernon’s education and historic preservation mission. The Spirit of Mount Vernon is marking its 25th anniversary alongside the nation’s 250th.
Saturday, Oct. 10
12:30 p.m., Glenwood Park, Middleburg, Virginia
A fixture of the Hunt Country calendar since 1955, with steeplechase racing, tailgates and some 10,000 spectators at the oldest continuous racecourse in Virginia.
Thursday, Oct. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 18
Middleburg, Virginia (see website for specific times and venues)
Four days of narrative and documentary films — festival favorites, world and regional premieres, foreign films and Oscar contenders — screened in intimate theaters and followed by conversations with filmmakers and actors.
Friday, Oct. 16
★ The 58th Annual Meridian Ball — Tony’s Pick
Meridian House, 1630 Crescent Place NW
Washington’s last true ball. Guests begin the evening at an intimate ambassador-hosted dinner or the White-Meyer Dinner on Meridian’s campus, then gather for dancing, dessert and conversation at Meridian House. Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. chair.
Saturday, Oct. 17
National Italian American Foundation Gala
Campari aperitivo at 5:30 p.m., dinner and awards at 7 p.m., after-party at 10 p.m., Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW
Black-tie. A special performance by Sebastian Maniscalco, guests from both sides of the Atlantic and a dinner inspired by NIAF’s 2026 Region of Honor, Lombardia. Additional honorees to be announced.
Monday, Oct. 19, to Sunday, Oct. 25
Washington International Horse Show
The Show Place Arena, Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland (times vary by class)
At the USEF Heritage Competition, established in 1958: nearly $1 million in prize money and a lineup of Olympic-caliber athletes.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Rock Creek Conservancy’s Party in the Park
5:30 to 8 p.m., Carter Barron Amphitheater, 4850 Colorado Ave. NW
More than 300 guests from business, the arts, government and conservation gather in Rock Creek Park’s “jewel in the crown” for drinks, music, appetizers and park views under the stars.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
6:30 p.m., The Mayflower Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW
Cocktail attire. “Ready to Create the Future” pairs a reception and seated dinner with student performances, an art gallery and silent and live auctions. Jessica Denson and Christopher Wingert co-chair. Proceeds support Sitar Arts Center’s arts education and workforce development programs for D.C. children, teens and young adults.
NOVEMBER 2026
Sunday, Nov. 1
Capital Jewish Museum Annual Gala
A location in Northwest Washington, D.C., disclosed upon registration
“Preserving Our History, Building Our Future,” hosted by NPR’s Nina Totenberg, is the museum’s third annual gala. It honors National Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef, Covington vice chair Lanny A. Breuer and the Hon. David Tatel, who served 30 years on the D.C. Circuit.
Saturday, Nov. 7
National Center for Victims of Crime’s Gala for Good
The National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW
Black tie. The National Center for Victims of Crime hosts “a celebration of resilience, healing and the transformative power of community,” with a sit-down dinner, wine service and entertainment. Proceeds support NCVC’s mission of helping crime victims rebuild their lives.
Sunday, Nov. 8
Woodley House 30th Annual Movie Benefit
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD
CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Dana Bash, a former Woodley House board member, emcees the 30th edition of the benefit, which pairs a VIP reception with a film screening. Board vice president Diane Murray receives the Donald A. Brown Rose Award. Proceeds support Woodley House’s crisis stabilization, group homes and supportive housing for people living with mental illness in the D.C. region. Tickets from $75
Wednesday, Nov. 11
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., 1150 22nd St. NW
The gala supports Whitman-Walker’s health and legal services. Attire is festive cocktail.
Thursday, Nov. 12
D.C. Central Kitchen’s Capital Food Fight
The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW
The rising stars of D.C.’s culinary scene battle on stage with tastes from dozens of top regional restaurants. Confirmed celebrity guests include Andrew Zimmern, Rocco DiSpirito, Tiffany Derry, Eric Adjepong, Karen Akunowicz, Spike Mendelsohn and Tommy McFly. Tyson Foods returns as presenting sponsor. Last year’s edition drew 1,300 guests and raised more than $900,000.
Saturday, Nov. 14
National Blue Hope Bash
6:30 to 11 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
Blue cocktail attire. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s premier gala benefits the patients, caregivers and survivors it serves. Ross and Siobhan Cohen, Alisa Lessing and Lenny and Christine Mendonca co-chair, with Cory and Cayley Tull as honorary chairs
Breakthrough T1D DC Metro/MD Gala
6 p.m., Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Chaired by Stacy and Nadeam Elshami, the gala honors the Anderson Family and presents the Rapaport Lifetime Service Award to Tim Ryan and Michelle Mundt, raising funds for type 1 diabetes research.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
2026 CHCI Congressional Staff Awards
4:30 to 10 p.m.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute honors Latino congressional staff, following its Tech Summit earlier the same day.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Transformer’s Benefit Art Auction & Gala
The LINE DC, 1770 Euclid St. NW
Transformer celebrates its 22nd annual benefit with “The Kaleidoscope Effect,” bringing together artists, collectors and supporters of D.C.’s contemporary art community for its signature event. The accompanying exhibition runs Nov. 7 to 20, culminating in Gala Night on Nov. 21.
DECEMBER 2026
Thursday, Dec. 10
AFCEA DC’s 50th Annual Winter Gala
7:30 to 10:30 p.m., National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW
A golden-anniversary edition themed around the Northern Lights, gathering more than 1,400 senior leaders from the intelligence agencies, the federal IT community and industry. Proceeds support AFCEA DC scholarships and STEM programs.
Sunday, Dec. 13
Choral Arts’ Holiday Concert and Gala
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW
This highlight of the Washington holiday season will be staged as an immersive gala, “Wonder,” pairing the Choral Arts Chamber Ensemble with chamber orchestra in one of the city’s most magnificent rooms.
Date to be announced
★ The Kennedy Center Honors — Tony’s Pick
Venue to be announced
The Honors may proceed this year under a new name — the Trump Kennedy Center Honors — at a smaller venue while the Kennedy Center undergoes a two-year renovation.
TONY POWELL’S OTHER FALL FAVORITES — DATES TO COME
★ Ann & Lloyd Hand’s 75th Wedding Anniversary
A milestone celebration for longtime Washington fixtures Ann and Lloyd Hand, marking an extraordinary 75 years of marriage.
★ Lilabean Foundation Fall Ball
A favorite on Washington’s fall benefit circuit, supporting the Lilabean Foundation and its work to advance childhood brain cancer research.
★ The Russian Ball
One of Washington’s distinctive old-world social traditions, bringing formal dress, music and dancing to the fall calendar.
★ Adrienne Arsht’s Birthday Celebration
Philanthropist and arts patron Adrienne Arsht’s birthday celebration is another of Tony Powell’s most anticipated invitations of the Washington social season.
