The beautiful and benevolent Dolly Parton once said, "Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live."

Fort Worth does not lack for generous individuals who give their time and treasure to causes they hold dear. And if those causes involve an occasion to wear sequins, stilettos, and a little extra lipstick? Dolly would definitely approve.

The 2026 fall fundraising season sees glamorous galas and chic parties galore, all in support of the city's magnificent arts organizations and museums, vital health-focused nonprofits, and charities that do life-changing work in the community.

Here is our guide to the must-attend galas and soirees of fall 2026 across Fort Worth, complete with ticket links to book your spot ASAP. Don't delay; some are nearly sold out.

Dance card already full? Don't forget you can support all your favorite organizations (including those that don't have the means or womanpower to throw a fancy fundraiser) on North Texas Giving Day, September 17. Find a list of participating nonprofits and events here.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Opening Night Celebration - September 11 at Bass Hall and City Club
Per longtime tradition, the Fort Worth Symphony will open its new season with a cocktail-chic mini-gala that includes a concert and dinner party afterwards. First, the FWSO and maestro Robert Spano will be joined by 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist Aristo Sham at Bass Hall for a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23; FWSO will also perform Beethoven's Egmont Overture and famous Symphony No. 5. Then patrons will gather at the City Club Ballroom for cocktails, a buffet dinner, and the honoring of Medal of Excellence recipients John Wells and Shay McCulloch-Wells. The evening, arranged by the FWSO Board of Directors and Chairman Mercedes T. Bass, also honors the musicians of FWSO. Concert tickets are sold separately, here, and Opening Night Dinner Tickets ($125) are available here.

Fort Worth Opera Prima Voce - September 19 at Ridglea Country Club
In a new tradition, Fort Worth Opera will celebrate the launch its 81st season with Prima Voce - which translates to "first voice" - an elegant evening of cocktails, an Italian-inspired dinner, silent auction, and live opera - all benefiting FWO's education and community engagement programs. The artistic highlight will be performances by Fort Worth Opera’s 2026-2027 Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artists: Rayna Mia Campbell, soprano; Lauren Salazar, mezzo-soprano; Cecil Garrison, tenor; and Noah Mond, bass. event. M ore than a fundraising dinner, Prima Voce will give guests an intimate introduction to the artistic vision, productions, and performers on the FWO's 2026-27 season. Single tickets ($275) are available on the website, and reservation deadline is September 4.

Cowtown Ball - September 25 at Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena
American Cancer Society’s Cowboy-chic gala moseys to a new location this year - Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena. The 33rd annual Cowtown Ball, themed “Spurs, Stetsons and the Silver Screen,” is led by co-chairs Cortney Craft and Wendy Wright, with Sainty Nelson and chef Jon Bonnell serving as "cure champions." The night will start with a VIP reception followed by dinner and open bar, live and silent auctions, paddle raise, Western-style entertainment, and a concert by country star Kaitlin Butts. Limited tables and tickets (from $350) remain on the website. As a run-up to the big event, ACS will host Runway for a Cure, 6:30-9 pm Wednesday, September 2 at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. The evening will feature 15 local models walking the runway, each with a personal connection to cancer. Tickets ($150) are available here.

Mad Scientist Ball - September 26 at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Everyone's a mad scientist at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's signature interactive gala. Guests don their best "lab-coat chic" (white lab coats are provided to wear over cocktail attire) and partake in fun scientific experiments along with chef-driven food and cocktails, live and silent auctions, museum exhibits, and a late-night after-party under the dinosaur. The menu at the foodie-forward "culinary expedition" will include bites from noted local restaurants Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Don Artemio, il Modo, Oishii Sushi & Pan-Asian Cuisine, Match Point Coffee, Reata, Rise, Social House, and more. Kit and Will Ulrich are chairing this year's "Ultimate Night of Wonder." Tables and tickets (from $500) are available here.

Mad Scientist Ball opens the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History to adults after-hours. Photo by Tim Hoang

Monster Mash - October 16 at The Fort Worth Club
One of the most unique Halloween-time costume parties will be a Bridgerton-worthy Masquerade Ball this year. The Women's Center benefit promises "an evening of candlelight, concealed identities, and charitable purpose." Expect cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and more delights for "the ton." From the event description: "Behind sweeping draperies and beneath resplendent chandeliers, the evening shall progress with all the pleasures befitting a grand occasion. Guests will partake in an elegant repast, dance the night away, and amuse themselves with diversions both spirited and sociable: a lively auction certain to inspire friendly competition, tempting raffles, a curated wine pull, charming photographic moments, and — for those possessed of uncommon courage — a bit of playful karaoke to provoke both laughter and admiration." Don't forget your mask. For tickets (starting at $350), head here.

A Cool Night for The WARM Place - October 17 at Amon G. Carter Stadium
The WARM Place's biggest fundraiser of the year will be "Painting Hope" in a colorful night of elegant cuisine, live entertainment, auctions, and special touches that emphasize creative expression — all under the guidance of co-chairs Lindsay Bloomer and Sasha Denman and their committee. The WARM Place provides peer-support groups for children and their families after the death of a loved one. The goal this year is to raise $650,000 to support their children’s grief program, which is available to families at no cost to them. For tables and tickets (starting at $500 for 2), visit the website.

Lone Star Film Festival Gala - November 13 at Bowie House
The star-studded Lone Star Film Festival and its glamorous Gala are November traditions in Fort Worth. Presented by the Lone Star Film Society and Fort Worth Film Commission, the black-tie ball promises a walk down a red carpet before cocktails, dinner, special presentations, and honorary recognitions with filmmakers and film lovers as Fort Worth celebrates 20 years of storytelling and creative achievement. Honorees will be announced soon. Proceeds benefit the Johnny Langdon Film Education Initiative, providing programs, workshops, and scholarships for aspiring North Texas filmmakers.. Tables and tickets (starting at $750) are available on the website.

Fort Worth Margarita Ball - December 5 at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Benefiting Children's Charities of Fort Worth, the 37th annual black-tie gala is sure to draw young professionals dressed to impress in traditional or Western formal attire for a night of hors d'oeuvres and complimentary margaritas, a casino, dancing to The Manhattan Band, photo booths, auctions, raffles, and more. Tickets are $125 in advance (while they last), then go up to $175. In an extra-charitable twist, a ticket includes a toy donation for local children. Tickets and information are here. As a precursor to the big gala, a celebrity fashion show will take place at Studio 80 on September 24; it's free to attend and will feature local celebrity models showcasing Margarita Ball-inspired looks.

Texas Ballet Theater dancers are the fashion models at the Caren Koslow Fashion Show & Luncheon. Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater

Caren Koslow Fashion Show - Party After Dark & Luncheon, December 16 & 17 at Bass Hall
Named for late Texas Ballet Theater patron Caren Koslow, this beloved luncheon at Bass Hall has been bringing together fashion mavens and ballet lovers for more than 3 decades, and it's among the hardest tickets in town to get. Guests are treated to a runway show on the Bass Hall stage featuring Texas Ballet Theater dancers modeling designer looks from a new retailer this year - Dallas-based Stanley Korshak. Lunch follows in McDavid Studio, all under the guidance of co-chairs Jeanie Huffman, Valrie Luskey Eberstein, and Laura Hayes. As there's already a waitlist, patrons have a better chance at snagging spots at the high-energy Caren Koslow Fashion Show and Party After Dark on December 16, the night before the luncheon. Chaired by Katie Beal Brown and Mallory Lummis, the evening promises a theatrical runway fashion show, followed by cocktails and bites, interactive photo moments, a high-energy DJ set, and more on the Bass Hall mezzanine. Both events benefit TBT and its community initiatives. For more information about either event, contact SpecialEvents@TexasBallet.org.

Also save the dates for:

• Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Main Table - September 13 on Main Street
• An Evening with Leon Bridges benefiting The Big Good - September 13 at Bowie House
• One Safe Place Safe City Party - Thrive - September 19 at the home of Rick Maxey & Gary Blake
• Fort Worth Art Dealers Association Fall Gallery Night - September 19
• March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction - September 24 at River Dickies Arena
• New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy Hope Gala - September 25 at Lucky Spur Ranch
• The Party in Fort Worth - October 1 at American Airlines Skyview 6 Employee Hotel
• Roundup for Autism - October 3 at River Ranch Stockyards
• Junior League Christmas in Cowtown Preview Party - October 7 at Will Rogers Memorial Center
• National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Banquet Gala - October 15 at The Woman's Club of Fort Worth
• Camp Fire Ignite - October 17 at William Campbell Gallery
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 65 Roses Wine & Food Extravaganza - October 21 at Benbrook Stables
• Make-A-Wish North Texas Wranglers and Wishes - October 24 at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
• Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation The Napa Valley Experience - October 29 at Cullen Yards
• National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon - November 5 at Dickies Arena
• Folds of Honor Gala - November 14 at AT&T Stadium
• Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation Bring the Conversation to Light Luncheon - November 19 at Will Rogers Round Up Inn
• Presbyterian Night Shelter Home for the Holidays Gala - December 4 at The Fort Worth Club