A Season of Galas
Each year, the good citizens of Coral Gables stage a series of galas to raise money for worthy causes — and to give those who attend a chance to wear their finest couture. It’s all part of the social season, and represents a glittering pathway to help charities and those who are less fortunate. Here is a compendium of the best and brightest. We include not only the galas benefitting locally-based organizations, but also ones that are being held in Coral Gables for community-wide organizations. So, mark your calendars and order your ball gowns!
Centennial Fundraising Gala
Organization: Coral Gables Preparatory Academy
Location: Biltmore Hotel
Date & Time: Sept. 23, 7 pm
Description: A dinner and silent auction will help the Eagles Nest Fund raise $100,000 for a century of excellence at Coral Gables Prep
Contact: eaglesnestfundCGPA@gmail.com
Be A Voice Luncheon
Organization: Voices for Children Foundation
Location: Loews Coral Gables Hotel
Date & Time: Oct. 6, 11 am to 2 pm
Description: Some 450 philanthropists show up to raise funds to help the 1,600 abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Miami-Dade’s foster care system
Contact: kblack@beavoice.org
Under the Cherry Blossom Sky
Organization: Coral Gables Community Foundation
Location: Loews Coral Gables Hotel
Date & Time: Oct. 13, 7 pm till midnight
Description: An enchanting evening including Japanese drummers and karaoke in support of the Foundation’s grantmaking and scholarship programs
Contact: katherine@gablesfoundation.org
Out of This World Gala
Organization: Beaux Arts
Location: Ritz-Carlton Hotel Coconut Grove
Date & Time: Oct. 14, 7 pm till midnight
Description: The 71st annual ball — and super fun costume contest — to benefit the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum and its educational programs
Contact: aymee@zubizarretagroup.com
Welcoming Tomorrow Grand Gala
Organization: Baptist Health South Florida Foundation
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Date & Time: Oct. 21, 6 pm to midnight
Description: The “party of the year” to benefit the world-class hospitals, institutes, and programs of Coral Gables-based Baptist Health South Florida
Contact: annemarie@baptishhealth.net
Bal de la Mer (To Save the Sea)
Organization: The International SeaKeepers Society
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Fort Lauderdale
Date & Time: Oct. 25, 7-11pm
Description: Celebrate 25 years of ocean conservation and research by this Gables-based organization with dinner, dancing, and a stage program
Contact: ivonne@seakeepers.org
Wild About Kids: A Night in Motown
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
Location: Loews Coral Gables Hotel
Date & Time: Oct. 28, 6:30 to midnight
Description: An annual black-tie event with cocktail reception, three-course dinner, and then a night of dancing to Motown sounds
Contact: rhunter@bgcmia.org
2023 Diamond Ball
Organization: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation
Location: Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Date & Time: Oct. 28
Description: Dinner, dancing, and fundraising to benefit the quality of life and programs and services for children in need
Contact: carmen.hidalgo@nicklaushealth.org
Campfires to Cocktails
Organization: The Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
Location: Camp Mahachee, Old Cutler Rd.
Date & Time: Nov. 4, 7 pm
Description: The third annual “glamping experience” held on the Girl Scout campgrounds at Camp Mahachee to support the organization
Contact: hkarl@girlscoutsfl.org
PAMM Art of the Party
Organization: PAMM
Location: Pérez Art Museum Miami
Date & Time: Nov. 11, 6pm
Description: Presented by Tiffany & Co., PAMM’s largest fundraiser of the year, marking the ten-year anniversary of the museum
Contact: sflores@pamm.org
A Million Dreams Illuminations
Organization: Chapman Partnership
Location: JW Marriot Marquis Miami
Date & Time: Nov. 11, 7 pm till midnight
Description: Celebrate a legacy of empathy, humanity, and the achievements of the organization founded by Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. to help the disadvantaged
Contact: rsvp@chapmanpartnership.org
The Sylvester Gala
Organization: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Superblue Miami
Date & Time: Nov. 30, 6 pm
Description: Meet leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists at the interactive Superblue museum. Help support UM’s Sylvester Cancer Center
Contact: sarahchristensen@med.miami.edu
The Mayor’s Ball
Organization: Liga Contra el Cancer
Location: Loews Hotel Coral Gables
Date & Time: Dec. 9, 7:30 pm till midnight
Description: Cocktails, dinner, DJs & live entertainment at the Mayor’s Ball to help Liga Contra el Cancer and the Coral Gables Community Foundation
Contact: jackie@heydaymarketingpr.com
95th Diamond Anniversary Gala
Organization: Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Location: The Biltmore Hotel
Date & Time: Jan. 2, 2024
Description: More than 300 philanthropists will enjoy cocktails overlooking the golf course, followed by dinner, a live auction, and music.
Contact: csisser@miamilighthouse.org
Gala in the Garden
Organization: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Location: Lakeside, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Date & Time: Feb. 3, 2024
Description: 400 guests, a who’s who of South Florida philanthropists, dine and dance in the gardens to benefit horticultural research
Contact: contactus@fairchildgarden.org
Lowe Art Museum’s Evening of Art
Organization: Lowe Art Museum
Location: 1301 Stanford Dr.
Date & Time: Feb. 22, 2024, 7-10pm
Description: Mingle with talented artists, collectors and philanthropists. Enjoy the Spring 2024 exhibition: Reckonings and Reconstruction: Southern Photography, art auction and more.
Contact: eventslowe@miami.edu; 305.284.3603
Gables Stage 25th Anniversary Gala
Organization: Gables Stage
Location: El Espacio 23
Date & Time: April 20, 2024, 6pm
Description: Celebration of the milestone season and setting the stage for the next 25 years!
Contact: kkramitz@gablestage.org