The gown lowdown

RSVP to the 11 most fabulous Fort Worth galas of spring 2026

Jewel Charity Ball, the grand dame of Fort Worth galas, will take place March 7.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

The 2026 spring gala season in Fort Worth got off to a blazing-hot start with the Junior League's cowgirl-chic Grand Entry Gala in January. Now we bring out the ballgowns and search for the cufflinks. It's time for the black-tie balls to begin.

The Fort Worth Symphony leads off with its annual concert-and-dinner mega-gala this weekend. Right around the corner is the glittering Jewel Charity Ball, which takes us to "Worlds of Wonder."

A mini theme emerges this season: Galas headlined by big-time country artists. Kacey Musgraves is the star of The Big Night benefiting The Big Good in early April. The very next night, The Cliburn - yes, the classical music foundation - welcomes Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen for its "Iconically American" gala. A few weeks later, Zac Brown Band takes the stage at Globe Life Field for Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation's TEX Gala.

Not every formal ball has a superstar attached. Some organizations - like St. Jude, A Wish with Wings, and Ally's Wish - host enchanting evenings that raise vital funds for their lifechanging work in the Fort Worth community and beyond.

Here are the 11 top spring galas to put in your social calendar now, with links to tickets and more information:

Fort Worth Symphony Gala, February 21 at Bass Hall and Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The 2026 FWSO Gala will keep patrons on the move. First, the orchestra and maestro Robert Spano will welcome acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham to the Bass Hall stage for a performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Then guests shuttle to a new location this year - the Omni Fort Worth Hotel - for a black-tie gala dinner, featuring cocktails, a multicourse meal, live auction, entertainment, and dancing. Honorary gala chair Mercedes T. Bass and co-chairs J. Brooks, Averi Goff, Christopher Goff, and Quynh Lu lead the proceedings, which support Music Education initiatives. Tickets to the concert alone are available through the FWSO website. For information about the dinner and full gala packages, go here.

St. Jude Celebration at Sundown, February 28 at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The seventh edition of this sweet gala will celebrate and raise funds to further the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: "Finding cures. Saving children." The cocktail-attire event, chaired by Kari Hutchison and Brooke McWhirter, includes silent and live auctions, dancing, drinks, dinner, live entertainment, and powerful testimonials by kids and parents whose lives have been impacted by St. Jude. Families who go to St. Jude, founded by Danny Thomas and located in Memphis, Tennessee, never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Tickets and information are here.

Jewel Charity Ball, March 7 at Will Rogers Memorial Center
The shining star of Fort Worth galas marks its unbelievable 71st edition with the theme "World of Wonder," inspired by the stunning creations of Jewel Charity's official jeweler for 2026, Australian designer Margot McKinney. Jewel Charity president Lezlie Monteleone and ball co-chairs Regan Haggerty, Susan Medina, Kelley Roberts, and Heather Senter promise an evening of traditional elegance, immersive entertainment, and lots of Margot McKinney's signature green. The night includes a seated dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering, fabulous silent auction and raffle for extravagant prizes, and the opportunity to try on and buy McKinney's stunning fine jewelry pieces. Sound House and GirlPower, presented by Elan Artists, will be the featured entertainment. Since 1953, Jewel Charity has helped raise more than $85 million for Cook Children's Hospital, and the ball celebrates the Angel donors who support the patients. For information, visit the event website.

26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards - Arrivals, Kacey Mugraves Kacey Musgraves will headline The Big Night benefiting The Big Good on April 9. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

The Big Night benefiting The Big Good, April 9 at River Ranch Stockyards
The Big Good welcomes country superstar Kacey Musgraves as headliner and Oscar-nominated Fort Worth singer-songwriter Abraham Alexander.as opener for its fifth annual The Big Night gala. Founded by Grammy award-winning Fort Worth artist Leon Bridges and former TCU football coach Gary Patterson, The Big Good works to fight food insecurity, increase education access, and strengthen workforce development in the community. The high-energy gala promises live music, a spirited auction, and more. While individual tickets are not available, sponsorship information can be found on the website.

The Cliburn Gala, April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo
The Cliburn is departing from its longtime "Classically Cliburn" gala theme and going all-American with an "Iconically American" event. The black-tie ball is also heading to to a new location - the Fort Worth Zoo Reserve - and will showcase not classical, but country music: Texas artists Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen will take the stage as featured entertainers. Chaired by Kate and Zach Crane, Olivia and Jeff Kearney, and Molly and Pete Amburgh, with Carla and Kelly Thompson as honorary chairs, the Americana-themed gala pays homage to namesake Van Cliburn, one of the most iconic American musicians and cultural diplomats in history, they say. It also nods to the United States' 250th birthday this year and follows the Cliburn's "America 250" Festival, March 26-29 at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Gala tickets are sold out, but there are some high-dollar tables still available; for more information, email khowell@cliburn.org.

Tarrant County Heart Ball 2024 Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld and Todd Blumenfeld at Heart Ball. Photo by James Edward

Tarrant County Heart Ball, April 18 at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel
Now in its remarkable 102nd year, the American Heart Association continues to advocate for heart health, and its signature Heart Ball brings awareness to congenital heart defects and pediatric health. Kristin Whitley Smith serves as 2026 Heart Ball chair, with Melinda Johnston and Marcia Jacobs as its honorary chairs. Guests can expect a night of dinner, music, dancing, one-of-a-kind auction items curated by auction chair Andy Zacharias, testimonials of inspiration, and more. For more information and reservations, visit the website.

A Wish with Wings Butterflies & Boots Ball, April 24 at Pavilion at Dickies Arena
This boots-and-bling evening will have guests dressed in their Western best for dinner, cocktails, music, and fabulous auction and raffle items. Karen and Larry Anfin chair the biggest fundraiser for A Wish with Wings, which has been bringing joyful experiences to children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1983. Featured guests will include their 2026 graduating senior wish kids. The Rowdy Decker Band will take to the stage for a night of boot-scooting and difference-making. Tickets can be found here.

Casa Mañana Gala, April 25 at the Claudia Stepp Grand Lobby
Casa Mañana’s annual gala, themed "Rumours in White," will transform the theater's Claudia Stepp Grand Lobby into a dreamy tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and include a live performance celebrating the music of Fleetwood Mac. The glamorous evening begins with cocktails, a premium open bar, and silent auction, followed by a catered dinner, live auction, and special performance by a Casa Mañana actor or student. An afterparty extends the night with dancing and entertainment in The Reid Cabaret Theatre. Proceeds support the theater’s productions and arts education programs; tables are available here.

Ally's Wish Dolly & Diamonds Gala, May 2 at Stampede Room at Stockyards Station
Prize for the most irresistible theme of the season goes to "Dolly & Diamonds," the Western-glam gala hosted by Ally's Wish, a lifechanging organization that grants "last wishes" to terminally ill mothers with young children. Ally's Wish is named for a local young mother, Allyson Hendrickson, who passed away of ovarian cancer in 2014. This year's gala will take place in the Fort Worth Stockyards and will include dinner, auctions, cocktails, and boot-scooting. For more information and tickets, go here.

Tex Gala 2024 TEX Gala takes places on the playing field of Globe Life Field. Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers

TEX Gala, May 7 at Globe Life Field
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation's annual gala will feature a red-carpet arrival, handcrafted cocktails, dinner on the playing field of Globe Life Field, live and silent auctions of sports and Hollywood memorabilia, and a live performance from country superstars Zac Brown Brand. It has an intriguing "Afterparty" theme: "Step into a night of mystery and style at this year's Old Fashioned Afterparty — an upscale speakeasy experience with a Western Americana edge," organizers say. The gala will be attended by Rangers players, coaches, and staff, and proceeds will go to improve the lives of children, the military, and first responders' families in the community. For information and tickets, visit the website.

Beastro, May 15 at Fort Worth Zoo
Always one of the most sought-after tickets of spring, 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. Watch the website for tickets to go on sale, first for Zoo members and then for non-members.

Also save the dates for:

Tarrant County Go Red for Women Luncheon, February 21 at Worthington Renaissance Hotel
Design Inspirations Preview Party & Luncheon, March 3-4 at Ridglea Country Club
Puttin' on the Pink Fashion Luncheon, April 7 at Fort Worth Convention Center
Texas Ballet Theater Swan Lake High Tea, April 12 at The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth
CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards, April 30 at Social Space
Fort Worth Food & Wine Foundation Reserve Wine Tasting, June 4 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

cliburn jewel charity ball charity fundraisers texas rangers galas

Bubbles & Bites

Fort Worth toasts 2026 Stock Show & Rodeo at bubbly brunch bash

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On Sunday, February 1, about 600 hungry brunch-goers descended on Will Rogers Memorial Center for the tastiest event of the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: the Bubbles & Bites food and wine extravaganza.

Dressed in their Western-chic best - colorful boots, cowboy hats, turquoise jewelry, and fur vests and coats (there was a lingering chill in the air from the recent "ice-pocalypse") - attendees eagerly queued all the way down the corridor outside the Round Up Inn before the event began promptly at 11 am.

The sold-out tasting event featured not only brunchy bites from top local restaurants, but winning wines from FWSSR’s second annual Vine 2 Wine international wine competition held in October 2025.

After picking up their souvenir wine glass and posing for pics at a step-and-repeat, the first stop for most folks was the Pommery Champagne station, where they got their first pour of the day. (It was also the first to run out.)

Attendees could enjoy unlimited wine tastings from more than a dozen wineries from Texas and around the world, along with gourmet noshes from 15 local chefs and restaurants. While Fort Worth's acclaimed barbecue and Tex-Mex restaurants were well represented, there were also bites of Asian cuisine, seafood, and elevated takes on traditional breakfast foods like waffles, French toast, and biscuits.

Participating restaurants and their dishes were:

Lettuce Cook Gourmet on the Go: Candied bacon jam topped with Texas heat pimento cheese on crackers
Joe T. Garcia’s: Chimichangas and flautas
Funky Town Donuts: Lemon raspberry filled doughnuts, pomegranate doughnuts: and vanilla, mulled wine, and dark chocolate toffee doughnut holes
The Meat Board: Wagyu smash burger with Caesar salad topping
Roy Pope Grocery: Toasted pecan buttermilk biscuit with chipotle, candied bacon, peach rosemary jam, and goat cheese
Hao’s Grocery & Cafe: Birria dumplings
Heim BBQ: Bacon burnt ends
Bricks and Horses: Warm brown butter crab rolls
Oak & Third at the Crazy Water Hotel: Tiramisu French toast with espresso custard, espresso syrup, and vanilla whipped Chantilly cream
Rex’s Bar & Grill: Loaded breakfast casserole with Muenster cheese, sweet potato tot, and jalapeno gravy
Ol' South Pancake House: French toast baguette with fresh goat cheese, fig jam, and crispy bacon crumbles
Terry Blacks BBQ: Beef rib bites with macaroni & cheese
Magdalena’s: Chicharron taco with handmade tortilla, chicharron, cajeta, jicama-coconut slat, and chile torreado
Local Foods Kitchen: Green goddess chicken salad
Tinies: Amaranth & chocolate waffles

The award-winning wineries represented included:

Photo courtesy FWSSR

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo's 2026 Bubbles & Bites event took place Sunday, February 1.

Fairwinds Estate Winery - Grand Champion Malbec
Champagne Pommery - Reserve Champion
Sanglier Cellars
Klinker Brick Winery
Stockman Wine

Texas Winery winners:

While a singer and guitar player entertained from stage, attendees conscientiously visited each food table, chatted with chefs, and sipped different wines to discover new favorites.

Bubbles & Bites wasn't just a tasting event; it was a culinary competition, too. Guests could vote from their phones for their favorite bite of the day.

At the end of the afternoon, the winner was announced from stage: The Meat Board took home the trophy for Grand Champion - Best Bite for its hearty Wagyu smash burger with Caesar salad topping.

Guests lingered over their last pours until it was time to head out to the next Stock Show highlight. Some crossed the hall to shop the vendors in the Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall next door, while others made their way to Dickies Arena for the matinee rodeo.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will return January 15-February 7, 2027, and organizers of Bubbles & Bites say they have some new ideas in store for next year's edition. Cheers and yee haw!

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