Rob Giardinelli
The Texas Fall gala season is in full swing and full force. In fact, there are so many spectacular events around Texas in October, that we have a super-sized Top 18 Galas To Attend In Texas – with six events each in Austin, Dallas, and Houston to highlight the incredible work so many nonprofits do to benefit communities all around Texas. See you there–we can’t wait.
Dallas – The Family Place Texas Trailblazer Awards – October 4
One of Dallas’ most well-attended and anticipated luncheons each year, 28th Annual Texas Trailblazer Awards hosted by The Family Place will feature several hundred of North Texas’ most prominent civic, community, and philanthropic leaders for a special afternoon will honoring one of Texas’ most beloved civil rights leaders.
Held this year at the Hilton Anatole, event co-chairs Lauren McKinnon, Clarisa Lindenmeyer, Nakita Johnson and Lauren Black will helm an event that will honor civil rights icon and the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Dr. Opal Lee with the 2024 Texas Trailblazers Award. The afternoon will be capped off with featured speaker, the author of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni in a conversation moderated by Natalie Nansani.
Dallas – SPCA Of Texas Fur Ball – October 4
One of North Texas’ most popular events benefitting animals each year, The SPCA of North Texas Fur Ball, presented by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers, will be a fabulous night of fun and fundraising for animal lovers, sociables, and philanthropists. Held this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the sold-out crowd of several hundred will don their best black-tie attire featuring two-legged and four-legged guests in an event produced by celebrity event planner Steve Kemble.
Co-chaired by Lawrence and Katy Bock and accompanied by an impressive event committee featuring many of Dallas’s top philanthropists. The night will start with a cocktail reception where guests can peruse an impressive silent auction. NBC 5 News Anchor Brian Curtis will serve as emcee on the program that will include a multi-course meal, a live auction with luxury and one-of-a-kind experiential packages, and its iconic Pony Up For Paws paddle raise. The night will be capped off with dancing and live entertainment courtesy of the Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra.
Houston – Houston Professional Firefighters Association Red Hot Gala – October 5
From the event’s start seven years ago, the Houston Professional Firefighters Association Red Hot Gala quickly became a must-attend Fall fundraising event. The event, held at the Royal Sonesta, will draw a crowd of approximately 500 of the city’s most notable community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists who will don their finest cocktail attire for one of the most fun nonprofit events of the year.
Co-chaired by organization founders Elizabeth and Alan Stein and boasting a powerful host committee with many of the city’s most prominent philanthropists from every tentacle of the Houston social scene, the night will include a cocktail hour, live auction, and an after-party with live entertainment. The highlight of the night is the annual fashion show, where the newly announced 2025 monthly firefighter calendar models will walk the runway and amp up the temperature of the room in the process.
Austin – Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s Glow In The Park – October 10
Austin’s Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park in Austin will be the setting for one of Austin’s top Fall galas. A crowd of approximately 1,000 of Austin’s community leaders, green space enthusiasts, music lovers, and philanthropists will descend upon the world-class venue for Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s annual Glow in the Park.
Co-chaired by father-daughter duo Gary Farmer and Katherine Farmer Thornill, they will oversee a seven-figure fundraising al fresco event produced by Autumn Rich of The Panacea Collective. Revelers will don “Tennis Shoe Glam” attire which pairs cocktail ensembles with sneakers, and other comfortable footwear, to create an elegant, casual, and welcoming environment for partygoers.
The night will include a cocktail reception before guests head down to the beautifully landscaped grounds in front of the Moody Amphitheater Stage for a five-star, family-style meal courtesy of MML Hospitality. Other highlights of the night will include a live auction and conclude with a live concert by headlined by musician Stephen Sanchez.
Austin – Ronald McDonald House Bandana Ball – October 10
Austin’s Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will be the setting marking a milestone anniversary for one of the city’s best and longest-running fundraising galas. Several hundred will descend upon the iconic Texas space for the 35th Annual Bandana Ball benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.
Chaired by Susan Lubin, the Western-chic attire crowd will begin the evening on the plaza outside the Bullock Museum, with denim, diamonds, and cowboy hats donning many of the patrons. Guests will begin the night on the plaza outside the Bullock Museum for a cocktail hour where against the backdrop of live country music, revelers will be able to imbibe in a whiskey tasting, and the opportunity to create embroidered bandanas to commemorate the night.
The festivities will then head inside where patrons will take their seats for an action-packed program. As attendees enjoy a multi-course meal where they will be treated to words from event leaders highlighting both the organization’s mission as well as toast and tributes celebrating 35 years of the event. Auction-seekers will enjoy a spirited live auction full of luxury packages and experiences helmed by Heath Hale of Cowboy Auctioneer.
Dallas – Klyde Warren Park’s Party In The Park – October 10
One of Dallas’ top al fresco events, the 12th annual Klyde Warren Park’s Party in the Park has drawn top North Texas sociables, green space lovers, and philanthropists since the event’s inception in the early 2010s. This year promises to be one of its best with an Eclipse-themed soirée in a nod to the earlier total eclipse that many viewed from the park grounds earlier in 2024.
Chaired by Jennifer and John Gates, Michelle and John Grimes, Amy and Jamie Mentgen, Stephanie and Todd Phillips, and Jenny and Jeff Staubach, the night will be produced by Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. Guests will start the night in the park with a cocktail hour where Texas-chic-attired partygoers will sip spirits and mingle with the backdrop of Elvis Presley tribute artist Kraig Parker performing in front of the Nancy Best Fountain.
Revelers will then take to their seats to savor a delectable starlight supper paired with Napa Valley wines while enjoying a stunning backdrop of panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. The night will be capped with an after-party where guests will dance the night away to the 90’s country tribute band, Straight Tequila Night.
Dallas – DIFFA’s Burgers & Burgundy – October 10
Several hundred of Dallas’ most fashionable will descend upon The Village Dallas for a night of culinary magic, great wines, and the announcement of the theme for one of Texas’ best nights of fashion each year. DIFFA Dallas’s 15th annual Burgers & Burgundy, hosted this year by renowned MICHELIN™ Star Chef John Tesar, will partner with nine other amazing chefs to offer patrons their take on the perfect slider, each of which will be paired with fine wines.
Co-Chairs Brandon Bell, Rhiannon Bolen, and Jonathan Flores will host the Dallas-chic attire crowd for a jam-packed evening of fun. Highlights from the night will include a raffle of high-end experiences and luxury items and a blind wine pull to take a bottle of wine home with you. The highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of the theme for House of DIFFA 2025, and the unveiling of the 2025 DIFFA Style Council featuring many of the city’s most giving and fashionable.
Houston – Houston Grand Opera Opening Night Dinner – October 18
One of Texas’ top artistic organizations is kicking off yet another fantastic season with a multi-act night of fun and philanthropy. Over 500 of Houston’s top art patrons, sociables, and philanthropists will attend Houston Grand Opera Opening Night Dinner will be joined by many other patrons of the arts for the opening night performance of Il trovatore. Held at the Wortham Theater Center, the production will have multiple performances at the iconic venue through November 3rd.
Once the performance ends, the 500 revelers will head to the Ray C. Fish Plaza for a dinner celebrating the Opening Night of the 2024-2025 Houston Grand Opera Season. The evening’s second act will co-chaired by Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, who will oversee one of the state’s top opening night dinners, where last year’s event raised a record-breaking $700,000 for the organization. The multi-course dinner will allow patrons to dine on the stunning plaza grounds and have the opportunity to mingle with the Il trovatore cast and crew.
Austin – Center For Child Protection’s Play Bingo Ladies Luncheon – October 19
Photo Courtesy of The Center For Child Protection
Held this year at the Hilton Austin, the Play Bingo Ladies Luncheon benefiting the Center for Child Protection is always one of the hottest tickets in town––on F1 weekend no less, with the event selling out without 24 hours of tickets being announced this year. The event will draw over a thousand of the city’s most notable community leaders, child advocates, and philanthropists for an incredible afternoon of fundraising.
Chaired by the Friends of the Christopher Guild, revelers will collaborate with others at their 10-top tables and show up in themed matching outfits to give the event an extra layer of warmth, camaraderie, and fashionable fun. The afternoon will feature a welcome reception with champagne, a curated silent auction of luxury items, and plenty of bingo games where the winner of each game will win exclusive prizes.
Dallas – Two x Two For AIDS And Art – October 19
One of Texas’ most iconic philanthropic events is both celebrating its silver anniversary and hosting its final gala this year. Over the past quarter century, TWO x TWO for AIDS AND Art benefiting amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art has raised over $120 million for the two organizations. Founded by Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, the event was started to benefit two organizations and causes that were personally important to the couple
This year’s event will be co-hosted by the Rachofsky’s and John and Lisa Runyon. The festivities will actually begin on Thursday, October 10th with Last Look, where patrons will have the opportunity to preview the exquisitely curated 80-plus piece auction, personally curated by Howard Rachofsky himself including works from Clare Woods, Robert Mapplethorpe, Tatsuo Ikeda, and this year’s featured artist Nicolas Party. Last Look is a play on the name of the art and auction preview night for the previous 24 years, First Look.
On the night of the final gala, approximately 450 of the world’s most prominent art patrons, collectors, and philanthropists will descend upon the Rachofsky home for what is bound to be an unforgettable night produced by longtime Two x Two event producer Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. The night will include a cocktail hour, seated multicourse dinner, live auction, a headlining musical performance, and likely a shed tear or two as Texas bids farewell to an era in Texas fundraising.
Houston – Houston Children’s Charity Gala – October 19
Photography By Allison Morgan
One of Space City’s most beloved and top nonprofit fundraising events of the year is back for another spectacular year. The 27th annual Houston Children’s Charity Gala will have 450 of the region’s most prominent children’s advocates, sociables, and philanthropists descend upon The Post Oak Hotel for what is gearing up for an unforgettable night that is bound to have guests talking about it for months to come.
The black-tie optional crowd will begin the night with a cocktail reception in the Post Oak ballroom foyer for a cocktail hour after which, guests will head into the ballroom for the jam-packed, entertaining program. Partygoers will be treated to a multi-course meal where Jana and Richard Fant will be honored for their longtime support of the organization.
Other highlights of the evening include a live auction where guests will have the chance to bid on a fabulous live auction that includes a trip with the Houston Texans to a road game of their choice with the team, a five-night getaway trip for 12 in Punta Mita Mexico, and golf package that include a private jet to play at the Nanea Golf Club and Mauna Kea Golf Course. The night will be capped off with a live concert by legendary rock band Chicago, who will undoubtedly keep the fun going well into the night as revelers sing along to their many iconic hits and a mic drop on what is bound to be a fundraising night for the ages.
Austin – The Rise School’s Shine For Rise – October 24
Held this year at Brazos Hall, The Rise School of Austin’s Shine for Rise will draw several hundred children’s advocates, community leaders, and philanthropists for a three-part evening of fun in fundraising. Funds raised from the event will benefit programs at this one-of-a-kind school, for children up to the age of 6, to learn in an environment that allows children of all developmental abilities to learn together.
The night will start on the rooftop deck of Brazos Hall for a cocktail hour where guests will sip spirits against the backdrop of views of downtown Austin and peruse an impressive lot of silent auction items. Attendees will then head downstairs to the main floor of the venue for the evening’s program.
As partygoers dine on delicious, multi-course meals, they will be treated to words from event leaders and touching testimonials on how The Rise School of Austin has positively impacted their lives. Revelers will then engage in a live auction helmed by Cowboy Auctioneer to bid on an array of luxury items and packages. The night will conclude where it began…on the rooftop deck for cocktails and a dessert bar.
Dallas – Farrah Fawcett Foundation TexMex Fiesta – October 24
Benefitting the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, the TexMex Fiesta will draw several hundred medical leaders, music lovers, sociables, and philanthropists. The Western-chic crowd will descend upon The Rustic in Dallas donning their finest denim and diamond ensembles with a cowboy hat or two thrown into the mix. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the foundation’s support of Stand Up To Cancer, The American Cancer Society, and Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Featuring an all-star ensemble of chairs and honorees including Event Chairs Libby and David Hunt and Co-chairs Alana Stewart, Linda Gray, and Jaclyn Smith, and the event honorees, philanthropists Steve and Ann Stodghill. This year is made all the more special as this year’s TexMex Fiesta will also mark the 15th anniversary of the passing of Farrah Fawcett, one of Texas’ most iconic personalities.
The night will start with red carpet arrivals after which guests will enjoy the grounds of The Rustic during a cocktail hour. Guests will then take to their seats for a casual dinner followed by a live auction with luxury packages and experiences. The night will be capped with a concert by country music legend Wynonna Judd.
Houston – The Menil Collections Party In The Park – October 24
One of the most anticipated al fresco events of the Houston Fall social season, The Menil Collection’s Party in the Park is the perfect way to enjoy the Fall air in stunning surroundings. Several hundred of the city’s most notable art patrons, philanthropists, and outdoor enthusiasts will descend upon the stunning grounds of Menil Park for a great night of fun and fundraising.
Co-chaired by Lucie and Daniel Arnoldy, Winnie Scheuer and Kevin Bonebrake, Melissa and Oliver Tuckerman & Anat and Jay Zeidman, the night will start with a cocktail reception, where partygoers can view the stunning sculptures on the Menil Park grounds while sipping on their favorite spirits and enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres. Patrons will then grab a bite at one of several entrée food stations before taking their seats under beautiful, 100-plus-year-old oak trees for dinner and conversation against the backdrop of live music and take in one of Space City’s most special artistic and green spaces in style.
Austin – The Contemporary Austin Art Dinner 2024 – October 25
Austin’s premier annual arts event is back for another year of magic in one of Austin’s most treasured spaces. Over 300 of Texas’ most prominent art patrons, community leaders, and philanthropists will descend upon Laguna Gloria for The Contemporary Austin’s Art Dinner 2024, an event that expertly combines art with Austinite’s love for the outdoors.
Co-chaired by Bettina Barrow and Frederika Middleton, the Garden chic-attired crowd will begin the night with a cocktail hour where guests will sip cocktails under the stunning oak trees for which Laguna Gloria is well known. Others will gather inside the 1916-era villa on the grounds to preview the curated live auction with items from acclaimed artists.
Revelers will then take to their seats under a tent for a dinner al fresco where attendees will savor and chat with friends during a delectable, multi-course meal. A paddle raise and a spirited live auction will follow with a portion of the proceeds raised from the artwork going back to the artists in recognition of their generous art donations and capping off one of Austin’s most special annual nonprofit events. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards education and program initiatives to support the museum’s work in envisioning a bold future for Contemporary art in Austin.
Houston – Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power Of Literacy Luncheon – October 25
Several hundred of Houston’s most prominent community leaders, literary enthusiasts, sociables, and philanthropists will descend upon The Post Oak Hotel for one of Space City’s most popular annual luncheons. The 9th annual Power of Literacy Luncheon benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has a jam-packed afternoon of fun and fundraising.
Co-chaired by Diane Gendel and Merhnaz Gill, they will oversee an afternoon where luncheon cocktail-attired guests will begin the festivities welcome reception outside of the Post Oak ballroom before taking to their seats inside the ballroom for the main program. During their seated lunch, guests will be treated to an event program that will be capped off with words from the luncheon’s featured speaker, actor and author Kimberly Williams-Paisley who will share personal stories and her own friendship with late First Lady Barbara Bush.
Houston – Children Museum Houston’s Noir Ball – October 26
Held each year in one of Texas’ most elegant, beautiful, and historic event spaces, The Corinthian, the Children’s Museum Houston’s annual gala is always a must-attend for anyone looking for an event that always delivers unique and amazing themes every year. This year is no different as a sold-out crowd of several hundred will be on hand for The Noir Ball: A Celebration of Haunted Elegance, which perfectly combines Halloween with old Hollywood glamour.
Co-chaired by Whitney and Ryan Burns and Allison and Iván Chávez, guests will begin the night ascending the red-carpet staircase to the mezzanine of The Corinthian, which was originally the Houston Stock Exchange, for a cocktail hour where the crowd will marvel at each other sartorial creations while perusing one of Texas’ best silent auctions featuring a wide array of luxury packages. Guests will then descend the staircase to the main floor for the evening’s program.
Guests will dine on an exquisite, multi-course meal courtesy of Jackson & Company as they are entertained during the evening’s main program. The night will also include a live auction that will feature trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, the opportunity to golf at the Tiger Woods-designed course, Bluejack National, and a private dinner party inside a bank vault. Capping things off will be one of Houston’s best gala after-parties where revelers will dance the night away until the wee hours of the morning.
Austin – Helping Hand Home’s Champions For Children Luncheon – October 29
One of Austin’s most popular annual luncheons is pulling out all the tops as it celebrates it silver anniversary. Several hundred of the capital city’s most prominent community leaders, children’s advocates, and philanthropists will descend upon the JW Marriott for the Helping Hand Home 25th annual Champions for Children Luncheon.
Co-chaired by Bergen Casey, Buck Cody, and Lesley Pitts, the Austin-chic attire crowd will begin the afternoon with a welcome reception in the foyer outside of the ballroom. Next, attendees will be seated with an inspiring, jam-packed program emceed by The Daytripper host Chet Garner. The program will include the crowd will enjoy a seated lunch and honor a host of community leaders who have advocated children’s causes including the Nolan Ryan Foundation as the Philanthropic Nominee and Candlelight Ranch Founders Dan Barr and Randy Barr as the Community Nominee. The afternoon will be capped off with a speech by featured speaker Kondo Simfukwe.
