It's time to polish the "good" boots. Spring gala season is here, and about half the big shindigs have Western themes. While boots-and-bling are official "Fort Worth dress code" any day of the week, the fanciest fundraising balls of the season are taking fun and creative twists: Jewel Charity's celebrating Texas with its "Sky's the Limit" ball; the Texas Rangers' TEX Gala encourages dark Western wear for its "Neon Lights" theme; and even Casa Mañana's "Gone Country" with a performance of '90s country music. (And all of these come on the heels of Grand Entry Gala, which kicked off Rodeo season in January.)
Here are the 10 can't-miss Fort Worth galas of spring 2025, with links for more information and tickets.
Jewel Charity Ball, March 1 at Will Rogers Memorial Center
The grand dame of Fort Worth galas goes all in on boots-and-bling with a Texas-focused theme "The Sky's the Limit." Jewel Charity president Peggy Sims and ball co-chairs Debbie Boudreaux, Kelly Hanley, and Lauren Harwell promise some of the best sights and bites from the Lone Star State before dancing the night away against the backdrop of a stunning Texas sunset. The night includes a seated dinner, silent auction, and raffle for extravagant prizes. The Steve Miller Band will be the featured entertainment, and Collections Fine Jewelry will be the official jeweler providing beautiful baubles to try on and buy on site. Since 1954, Jewel Charity has helped raise more than $83 million for Cook Children's Hospital, and the ball celebrates the Angel donors who support the patients. For information, visit jewelcharity.org. (Sold out.)
TEX Gala, April 3 at Globe Life Field
This rare Thursday night gala benefits the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, which improves the lives of children, the military, and first responders' families in the community. Attendees (along with Rangers players, coaches, and staff) will experience a red-carpet arrival, dinner on the playing surface of Globe Life Field, live and silent auctions featuring exclusive sports and Hollywood memorabilia, and a live performance from country superstar Thomas Rhett. It'll be themed "Neon Nights," inspired by the bright lights and bold signs that light up Broadway in Nashville. "Bring your best dark Western wear with a pop of color for a Nashville Night," they say, and even provide a helpful look book for attire inspiration. For information and tickets, visit the website.
Fort Worth Symphony Gala, April 5 at Bass Hall and Worthington Renaissance Hotel
Per tradition, this mega-gala has several parts in several locations. First, the FWSO and maestro Robert Spano will welcome acclaimed pianist Garrick Ohlsson to the Bass Hall stage for a performance of Rachmaninoff's beloved Piano Concerto No. 3. Then guests shuttle to the Worthington for a black-tie gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom, featuring cocktails, a four-course meal, live entertainment, and dancing. Honorary gala chair Mercedes T. Bass and co-chairs Connie Beck, J. Brooks, Lee Hallman, and Quynh Lu lead the proceedings, which support Music Education initiatives. Tickets to the concert can be purchased through the FWSO website. For information about the dinner and full gala packages, go here.
Tarrant County Heart Ball, April 5 at River Crest Country Club
Now in its 101st year, the American Heart Association continues to advance hope for heart health, and its signature Heart Ball brings awareness to congenital heart defects and pediatric health. Kim Carter serves as 2025 Heart Ball chair, with Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker as its honorary chair and Shannon Murray from Fox 4 DFW as the evening's emcee. The night, themed "Shaping the Future," will include dinner, music, dancing, one-of-a-kind auction items, testimonials of inspiration, and more. For more information and reservations, visit the website.
Breakthrough T1D Gala, April 5 at Fort Worth Zoo
Formerly JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund), the newly named T1D (for "Type 1 Diabetes") foundation's gala is an unexpectedly fun and elegant cocktail-attire affair that raises crucial funds toward the eradication of type 1 diabetes. This year’s gala returns to the "wild" of the Fort Worth Zoo under the guidance of event chairs Lindsay and Andrew Carrier, with honoree Dr. Paul Thornton, and Fund a Cure chairs Karen and Jim Borta. The night includes dinner, an expansive auction, and inspirational stories of hope. For more information and tickets, visit the event website.
Ally's Wish Boots & Blessings Gala, April 5 at Stampede Room at Stockyards Station
Ally's Wish is a lifechanging organization that grants "last wishes" to terminally ill mothers with young children — a memory for the family that will last a lifetime. Ally's Wish is named for a local young mother, Allyson Hendrickson, who passed away of ovarian cancer in 2014. This year's Boots & Blessings Gala takes the theme "Saddle Up & Celebrate" and heads to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Western-chic night will include dinner, auctions, cocktails and boot-scooting. For more information and tickets, go here.
Casa Mañana Gala, April 26 at the Claudia Stepp Grand Lobby of Casa Mañana
Bring out the boots for the beloved Fort Worth theater's 2025 Gala, “Casa’s Gone Country." The night includes a cocktail hour with open bar and premium spirits, silent and live auctions, catered dinner, live performances, dancing at an after-party, and the highlight of the evening, a performance of90's Country(featuring the music of Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and more) in The Reid Cabaret Theatre. Reserve your spot here.
A Wish with Wings Butterflies & Boots Ball, May 2 at Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena
Formerly the "Butterfly Wishes" gala, this year's Western-ized affair encourages black-tie with boots. Event chairs Ish Arebalos and Linda Boswell have planned a night featuring Fort Worth’s own award-winning country duo Jolie Holliday and Sonny Burgess, accompanied by Cowboy Band. A Wish with Wings has been bringing joyful experiences to children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1983. Check the website for more details and tickets.
Texas Ballet Theater Giselle Opening Night Dinner, May 2 at Van Cliburn Recital Hall and Bass Hall
This elegant and enchanting TBT event gives patrons a chance to mix and mingle at a champagne reception and decadent dinner before heading across the street to Bass Hall for the world premiere of TBT artistic director Tim O’Keefe’s interpretation of the iconic ballet Giselle. The evening will begin at 5:30 pm, and tickets to the performance are included. Visit the website for more information and reservations.
Beastro, May 16 at Fort Worth Zoo
One of the most coveted tickets in town, Beastro is the Fort Worth Zoo’s evening music and tasting event that supports local and international animal wildlife conservation and education efforts. The "summer chic" event features top local chefs and restaurants stationed throughout the zoo, serving sample appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The night ramps up with live music and open bars throughout the park; several animal habitats stay open until sunset. Tickets go fast, and the event sells out. Tickets go on sale at 10 am April 10 for Zoo members and 10 am April 11 for non-members.
