By Lia Gorbach And Roxanne Snowden By Lia Gorbach And Roxanne Snowden | October 22, 2024 | Feature, Events, Guide, Guides,
Awaken your inner philanthropist with a look at Boston’s top upcoming charity galas and events.
11/2/24
STORYBOOK BALL
Join Mass General for Children at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport to celebrate its 25th annual Storybook Ball. This milestone anniversary will commemorate MGfC’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for medically complex children. Last year’s event, inspired by the children’s book series Frog and Toad, transformed the Omni into a whimsical forest—who knows what this year’s event will bring? 450 Summer St.,storybookball.org
11/8/24-11/10/24
BOSTON INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR
Literary enthusiasts will come together at the Hynes Convention Center for a weekend celebrating rare books, manuscripts and the fascinating world of literature. Modern first editions, ephemera, maps and autographs are just a taste of the items among the vast displays. For an exclusive first look at items from over 100 vendors worldwide, attend Friday’s ticketed Opening Night event or visit Saturday or Sunday with free admission. 900 Boylston St.,abaa.org/bostonbookfair
Satisfy your inner bookworm with a visit to the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair .
11/16/24
HORSING AROUND AT THE MANDARIN
Saddle up—BINA Farm Center’s Horsing Around at the Mandarin gala is back with its 15th annual black-tie fundraiser. All proceeds help subsidize individuals participating in BINA’s therapeutic equine programs in an inclusive environment that brings people together. While dressed to the nines, guests can enjoy cocktails, scrumptious bites, auctions and an afterparty with DJ Deep Voice JoJo at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Boston hotel. 776 Boylston St.,binafarm.org
11/23/24
BRIGHT FUTURES GRAND DRAWING GALA
Transform children’s dreams into realities with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester during their annual Bright Futures Grand Drawing Gala. This premier fundraising occasion supports the organization’s mission to connect youth and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth and inspire success. Silent and live auctions with music from a local Boston band will entertain guests, who will have a chance to win a grand prize ranging from exquisite jewelry to vacation packages and one-of-a-kind items. 138 St. James Ave.,bgcdorchester.org
2/1/25
BIG NIGHT 2025
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts raised nearly $2.3 million at its 25th-anniversary event, benefiting youth throughout Eastern Massachusetts, the South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands with its mentorship program. With over 1,000 guests at MGM Music Hall, live entertainment by Billy Idol and Flo Rida made the night one to remember. Stay tuned for details about 2025’s rocking celebration at the House of Blues. 15 Lansdowne St.,emassbigs.org
Next summer, raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at the Pan-Mass Challenge.
2/8/25
BOSTON WINTER BALL
Dance the night away at Boston’s biggest night out: the Corey C. Griffin Foundation’s Boston Winter Ball, hosted at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. The foundation helps thousands of children thrive regardless of economic or medical circumstances through supporting and partnering with Boston’s leading educational and healthcare institutions. Last year’s black-tie event featured live music, dancing, drinks and more, raising an extraordinary $2.1 million. 450 Summer St., coreycgriffinfoundation.org
3/27/25
COMPELLING CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN OF IMPACT
Dress for Success Boston returns for its fourth annual Compelling Conversations with Women of Impact, hosted at The Lenox Hotel. Funds will benefit the organization’s objective to break the cycle of women in poverty by providing them with free professional attire to successfully land and keep a job and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The 2024 event raised over $115,000 for the organization while the featured guest speaker, a Muslim-American teenager, reminded the audience to stay authentic and confident in facing adversity. 61 Exeter St., boston.dressforsuccess.org
4/27/25
LITERARY LIGHTS DINNER
Savor this black-tie optional feast for the ages at the Fairmont Copley Plaza to honor outstanding writers from the Northeast and raise vital funds to support the preservation of the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections. Last year’s function featured biographer and essayist Stacy Schiff, author William Landay and others, with GBH’s Jared Bowen as the emcee. Partake in a candle-lit meal at this prestigious event and help keep the historic library thriving. 138 St. James Ave., literarylights.org
MAY 2025
PARTY IN THE PARK
Savor an afternoon luncheon alfresco with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s 21st annual Party in the Park. All proceeds will go toward restoring and improving the 1,100-acre Emerald Necklace park system. While donning their most stylish fasteners and flower crowns, attendees have raised over $12 million since the event’s inception in hopes of continuing to protect, restore and maintain the park system for its more than one million users each year. Location TBD, emeraldnecklace.org
8/2/25-8/3/25
PAN-MASS CHALLENGE 2025 WEEKEND
Come along for the ride with the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) Weekend next August. Every year, thousands of cyclists sweat it out for a good cause in the annual bike-a-thon, raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC has offered 16 fully supported routes with different levels of cycling ability, fundraising capacity and logistics. In 2024, the PMC reached a milestone of raising $1 billion since its inception in 1980. Multiple locations, pmc.org
TBD
BCRF’S BOSTON HOT PINK PARTY
Partying under pink lights and dancing to award-winning live music aren’t the only things to expect at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s (BCRF) Boston Hot Pink Party. BCRF serves as the largest private funder of breast cancer research. Last year’s bash brought tasteful cocktails, dinner and a performance by iconic Broadway performer Leslie Odom, Jr. and raised more than $2.2 million. Stay tuned for more details about the 2025 event. Location TBD, bostonhotpinkparty.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRANDS