Rob Giardinelli
Galas this fall in Texas continue full steam ahead as we all charge into the wonderful holiday season. Check out our Top 10 must-attend signature events (we even included a couple more of our favorites as a bonus) for November and December that will conclude an exciting 2024 with so many memorable moments. See You There?
Austin – Sergio and Angela Garcia Foundation FOREKidsATX – November 1-2
Courtesy Of FOREKids ATX
One of Austin’s best fall fundraising events, FOREKids ATX is back for another year that will feature two days of incredible fun and fundraising. The festivities will begin on the first night at the Four Seasons for PAR-Tee where several hundred of the Capital City’s top community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists in a night that is anticipated to raise seven figures.
The Austin-chic crowd will don their most fun and festive attire for Cirque Du Austin-themed event and will start the night with a cocktail reception complete with acrobats and aerialists that is sure to wow the crowd. Chris Harrison will emcee the program like he did last year, and it will include a multi-course meal, one of Austin’s best annual live auctions, and an after-party.
The next morning, the festivities will then head west to Omni Barton Creek and the FORE Kids Golf Tournament. Held on the Fazio Foothills Course, guests can either choose to participate in the tournament on the links or watch their favorite professional golfers, including event host Sergio Garcia, who play with proceeds benefiting several nonprofits that include Dell Children’s Medical Center, Foster Village, Save Muny – The Muny Conservancy, and The UGLI Foundation.
Dallas – Dallas Zoo’s Zoo To Do – November 2
The Dallas Zoo will be home to one of the city’s most fun and engaging events of the fall. A sold-out crowd of 800 will gather for the annual Zoo To Do. This year’s event is poised to up the ante with a Safari Noir theme…where the wild meets the shadows for what is sure to be an unforgettable event.
The Outdoor Chic-attired crowd will have the unique opportunity to explore the world-class grounds of the Dallas Zoo complete with close-up encounters with the animals. While revelers sip on cocktails, they will be able to peruse an impressive silent auction and big board with a curated assortment of luxury experiences.
Attendees will then enjoy a dinner in the Greg Hudson Giants of the Savanna area that will be prepared by several top local chefs. The program will include a spirited live auction with fantastic experiential packages. The night will conclude with an after-party where guests will dance the night away underneath a beautiful Texas fall sky.
Dallas – Perot Museum’s Night At The Museum – November 9
The Perot Museum in Dallas will be the setting for the organization’s signature fundraising event, Night At The Museum. The event, always one of the city’s must-attend events of the season, will draw several hundred philanthropists, sociables, and science lovers for a night of fun, revelry, and fundraising.
Co-chaired by Pam and Mark Okada, the cocktail attire crowd will enjoy an eclipse-themed event in honor of the once-in-a-lifetime total eclipse that Dallas and many other areas of Texas were fortunate enough to view this year. The night will begin with a cocktail hour where guests will sip on custom cocktails and enjoy delectable bites as they enjoy the world-class science and nature-themed exhibits at the museum.
The night, always known for having a few surprises and tricks up its sleeve, will include several jaw-dropping moments revelers will remember for a long time to come. The festivities will culminate with a Party In The Tent on the museum grounds, where partygoers will dance the night away to live music.
Dallas – Folds Of Honor – November 9
The Folds of Honor Gala is one of Dallas’ most widely attended nonprofit events. Hosted by the Folds of Honor North Texas Chapter, the night will feature over 1,700 of the city’s top community leaders, sociables, history lovers, and philanthropists for their highly successful event that is always held close to Veteran’s Day.
Attendees will descend upon AT&T Stadium for a one-of-a-kind experience on the field of the Dallas Cowboys for an unforgettable night that will raise well over seven figures. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit members of the military, first responders, and their families.
Dyan and Mike Colby will serve as honorary chairs. The black-tie optional crowd will feature a mix of traditional black-tie and cocktail fare along with military uniforms for those in uniform who attend. The night will include a VIP reception, cocktail hour on the field, a dinner, and a live auction and be capped off with an after-party featuring the Emerald City Band.
Houston – Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker Market VIP Party & Fashion Show – November 13-14
You always know the holiday season is upon us when this iconic Houston fundraising event is on the calendar. Hundreds of the city’s top art lovers, treasure hunters, sociables, and philanthropists will descend upon various locations throughout Houston for the 44th Annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. In addition to the shopping, there will also be a trio of VIP social and fashion events to put you in the holiday spirit.
The fun will begin with the always-sold-out Wells Fargo Preview Party. Cecilia Campbell, Ann Graham, and Blair Kessler will co-chair this year’s event that will draw several hundred will turn out in their best cocktail attire with a touch of holiday flare for a night of revelry and fun.
The festivities will also include two fashion shows. The first will be the Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and luncheon. Co-chaired by Ileana Treviño and Beth Zdeblick and honoring Sharon Erskine, the sold-out crowd of Houston’s top philanthropists and fashionistas will get to view stunning looks from the iconic retailer. The second will be a Macy’s Men’s Fashion Show that will be co-chaired by Michelle Barrett, Sarah Davidson, and Michelle Jeffery, and will honor Cheryl Zane.
Dallas – Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden A Writer’s Garden – November 13
Photo By Hope Rollins, Courtesy Women’s Council of the
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Held at Rosine Hall on the stunning Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden grounds, A Writer’s Garden is one of the city’s most fun, cultured, and engaging events. Hosted by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the afternoon will draw several hundred of Dallas’ top literary lovers, nature lovers, sociables, and philanthropists.
Chaired by Joni Krieg with Garry Weber serving as honorary chair, this year’s theme is Star Style Glamour for the Home & Garden, which is accented by this year’s featured authors. Internationally acclaimed designers Martyn Lawrence Bullard, author of Star Style, and Stefani Bittner, author of The Fragrant Flower and Harvest.
The cocktail-attired crowd, many of whom will sport comfortable shoes to walk the expansive green spaces and grounds, will listen to chats with the two authors. The festivities will cap off with a luncheon where guests will further get to mingle with the featured speakers, as well as have them autograph their books.
Dallas – FGI Dallas Night Of Stars – November 15
Photo Courtesy of FGI Dallas
The annual FGI Dallas Night of Stars, Texas’ most glamorous night of fashion philanthropy each year, is back with yet another fantastic lineup. The night will include several hundred of Dallas’s (and Texas’) most notable fashionistas, sociables, and philanthropists who will descend upon the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, for an epic night of fun.
Chaired this year by Holly Quartaro, the black-tie crowd will sport a mix of classic, bold, and avant-garde looks and will begin the night with a cocktail hour before taking their seats for the evening’s program. During the program, guests will be treated to words from event honorees, a live auction of luxury experiences, and a few other special surprises will dazzle the crowd.
This year’s program will honor four top fashion, design, and style icons including Excellence in Design Honoree Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Achievement in Accessory Design Dee Ocleppo, Innovation in Art Honoree Donald Robertson, and Achievement in Fashion Honoree Jonathan Simkhai.
Dallas – Black Tie Dallas – November 16
One of the nation’s top LGBTQ+ annual fundraisers is back for another year of epic fun and fundraising. Well over a thousand of the nation’s top community leaders, sociables, activists, allies, and philanthropists will descend upon the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for the 43rd annual Black Tie Dinner gala. This year’s theme, Simulation, envisions a world where the LGBTQ+ community is celebrated and uplifted.
The black-tie crowd will feature a mix of traditional black-tie ensembles combined with bold and avant-garde looks, which always makes this legendary event one of the most fun in Texas. The night will begin with a cocktail reception where guests will mingle and peruse one of Texas’ most expansive and best-curated silent auctions.
The festivities will then commence in the main ballroom for the program. The program will include a live auction and honor eight individuals for their tireless support of LGBTQ+ causes. The night will culminate in one of Texas’ most fun after-parties, where the revelry goes into the wee hours of the morning. Proceeds from the night will benefit approximately 20 LGBTQ+ causes.
Austin – Andy Roddick Foundation Gala – November 18
Courtesy Of Andy Roddick Foundation
One of Austin’s top annual fundraising events for many years, the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala will feature approximately 450 community leaders, sociables, child advocates, and philanthropists. This year the crowd will descend upon the ACL Live at the Moody Theater for an epic night of fun, music, and philanthropy.
Chaired by Amer and Anna Delic, the festivities will begin with a VIP cocktail reception on the terrace outside of the ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Revelers will then take to their seats on the orchestra level for the main program which will include words from Andy Roddick and other event leaders and a live auction featuring an array of luxury experience packages.
As the auction is happening, another 1,500 guests will gather in the mezzanine and orchestra levels in anticipation of the musical headliner. This year, partygoers will be treated to the tunes by chart-topping artist and rapper Big Boi who will no doubt bring the audience to his feet as he belts out many of his top hits.
Austin – Austin Humane Society Rags To Wags Gala – November 23
The Austin Humane Society’s Rags to Wags Gala has long been one of the city’s best and most popular annual fundraising events focused on providing services for animals. Several hundred of the city’s most prominent animal lovers, sociables, community leaders, and philanthropists will head to the Fairmont Austin for a night of fun for both two-legged and four-legged friends alike.
Chaired by Emily Jolly and presented by Drs Stephanie Beardsley and Stephen Kerpsack Family, the cocktail attire crowd will begin the night for a one-of-a-kind cocktail hour. In addition to the traditional cocktail mingling and sipping on specialty cocktails, revelers will have the opportunity to participate in puppy and kitty cuddles, where guests will have the opportunity to hold some of the adorable animals available for adoption. They will also have their well-known Paws Up paddle raise.
Partygoers will then take to their seats for the evening program that will be emceed by KEYE’s Trevor Scott. Highlights from the program will include a multi-course meal, a spirited live auction of fantastic luxury experiences, and the presentation of the Lee B. Walker Guardian Award to Jill and Robert Turner for their tireless support of the organization. The highlight of the night will no doubt be the Adoptable Dog Runway show, where hearts will melt and animals will find their forever homes.
Austin – Center for Child Protection’s Dancing with the Stars Austin – December 7
Photo Courtesy of the Center for Child Protection
Austin’s most star-studded night of philanthropy is back for what is bound to be another epic year. The 18th Annual Dancing with the Stars Austin, benefiting the Center for Child Protection, will welcome 11 celebrity dancers who will waltz, mambo, and quickstep their way through the dance floor at the JW Marriott and into the hearts of over a thousand of the city’s most prominent community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists in attendance.
Co-chaired by Bridget Ramey and Amy Beard, where guests will don their finest and festive black-tie ensembles. The festivities will begin with a cocktail hour where guests will mingle, enjoy some holiday cheer, and have a chance to briefly engage with the dancers, who don bathrobes to not reveal their dance attire until they hit the dance floor. Revelers will then head into the ballroom to take their seats for a jam-packed night of fun.
Emcees Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima will keep the crowd entertained throughout the evening as revelers enjoy a multi-course meal as well as a spirited live auction and fund-a-need helmed by Heath Hale of Cowboy Auctioneer. Dancers will then take their turns on the dance floor as they cut a rug with their professional dancer partners. The night will culminate in voting, and the awarding of the mirror ball trophy to the winner, with an epic after-party following that keeps the fun going well into the night.
Dallas – Crystal Charity Ball – December 7
Isn’t it only fitting that an epic 2024 of Texas fundraising would culminate with one of the Lone Star State’s most storied events? For over 70 years, Texas’ answer to the Met Ball, The Crystal Charity Ball has dazzled audiences with its epic annual signature fundraising event. Led by a group of 100 dynamic Dallas women, the night will raise millions to fund projects benefiting seven different organizations in the North Texas area that provide services to children.
This year’s theme, New York Holiday, is sure to have the crowd take the joy and spirit of this event to the next level. The high black-tie crowd will don their finest ensembles, with many undoubtedly showcasing holiday colors in sophisticated, elegant ways. The night will begin with a cocktail hour where guests will peruse their epic silent auction of over 200 highly curated luxury experiences.
The over 1,500 hundred guests will then take to their seats in the ballroom of the Hilton Anatole which will be transformed into a New York Holiday wonderland. With the costs of the ball already underwritten courtesy of the organization’s Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show, partnering with Neiman Marcus, in September, guests are left to celebrate by first enjoying a delectable, multi-course meal, then hitting the dance floor where they will cut a rug to a live band to dance the night away.
