Time to press your dresses and buff your boots. There’s a full roster of fun, philanthropic galas and parties ahead in Fort Worth.

The revelry begins with a jam-packed weekend in late September; hard decisions will need to be made. October and November will bring stars of TV, movies, and music – and a former U.S. President – to town. Margaritas will flow, and ballet dancers will twirl on the runway in December.

Beyond being fun, over-the-top parties, these high-ticket affairs raise critical funds for local nonprofits, many of whom rely on their signature events to fund their key initiatives for the year. Dance card already full? You can support all of these organizations and many more during North Texas Giving Day on September 18.

Don’t delay those RSVP’s, as many of these popular events have only limited tickets left. Here’s the season rundown:

Cowtown Ball – September 26 at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
American Cancer Society’s Western-chic gala scoots to Tim Love’s Fort Worth Stockyards music hall. The 32nd annual Cowtown Ball, themed “Stampede in the Stockyards,” is led by co-advisory chairs Christian Burton and Virginia Durham Carter with Sainty Nelson serving as “cure champion.” The night will start with a VIP reception followed by dinner and open bar, live and silent auctions, raffles, boot shine & branding, Flea Style hat bar, and a concert by Max McNown. To date, Cowtown Ball has raised more than $9 million for the American Cancer Society in the Fort Worth area. Limited tables and tickets (from $500) remain on the website.

Hope Gala – September 26 at Lucky Spur Ranch
The fourth annual Hope Gala, benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, will be a boots-and-bling affair in Justin. Event chair is Danielle White, with honorary chairs Argyle mayor Ronald Schmidt and Michelle Schmidt. The evening will include a greeting by four-legged equine friends, seated buffet dinner and open bar, silent and live auctions, live music, and dancing. The event will support the organization’s mission to provide therapeutic horseback riding services for people with a variety of disabilities, special needs, and challenges. Tickets ($175 each or $300 for two) are available on the website.

A Cool Night for the WARM Place – September 27 at Legends Club at Amon G. Carter Stadium
Saddle up for the WARM Place’s biggest fundraiser of the year, themed “A Cool Night in Cowtown: Where Hope and Healing Begin.” Boots are encouraged for the Western-themed night of Southern cuisine, two-stepping to live country music, auctions, and more. Co-chairs Lindsay Bloomer and Sasha Denman and their committee have set an ambitious goal to raise $600,000 for the WARM Place’s children’s grief support program. The nonprofit provides peer-support groups for children and their families after the death of a loved one. Limited tickets ($250) are available until September 15 on the website.

Mad Scientist Ball – September 27 at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
When the doors close to the youngsters at the beloved Fort Worth museum, the 21+ party begins. Guests will arrive decked out in cocktail casual but will receive white lab coats to wear as they enjoy live music, science experiments, cuisine from top Fort Worth restaurants, creative cocktails, silent and live auctions, museum exhibits, and dancing under the dinosaur. Anna and Benson Varghese chair this year’s museum benefit, and WFAA’s Mark Istook will be the emcee. Limited tables and tickets (from $500) are available on the website.

Monster Mash – October 24 at The Fort Worth Club
The Women’s Center of Tarrant County’s annual Halloween-time gala is themed “Dressed to Distress.” The organizers promise “a sophisticated twist on spooky — an evening where elegance meets the eerie and revelers arrive cloaked in mystery and charm. Beneath flickering candlelight and draped velvet, guests will gather in dark finery to indulge in ghostly glamour, devilish dancing, and spirited celebration — all in support of a noble cause.” The night will include dinner, live music, auctions, raffles, and more. Proceeds from the “fang-tastic” evening will support the Women’s Center’s mission to inspire and empower women, men, and children to overcome violence, crisis, and poverty. For tickets (starting at $350), head here.

Airpower Foundation Sky Ball XXIII – October 25 at Globe Life Field
Touted as the nation’s premier military support ball, the black-tie gala will celebrate 250 years of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. The evening will include cuisine by celebrity chef Robert Irvine, who serves as Executive Chef for Sky Ball, followed by a performance by country legend Neal McCoy. The Airpower Foundation provides supports active duty, reserve, National Guard personnel, veterans, and their families. Tickets (starting at $500) are available on the website, and special hotel packages at the neighboring Sheraton Arlington are also available.

Lone Star Film Festival Gala – November 7 at Bowie House hotel
The celebrity-studded Lone Star Film Festival and its glittering 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 night of food, cocktails, and celebrity appearances, with an Oscars-style red carpet. Honorees will be announced soon. The gala benefits education outreach programming of the Lone Star Film Society. Tables and tickets ($600) are available on the website.

Folds of Honor Gala – November 15 at AT&T Stadium
Always timed to Veterans Day, the Folds of Honor Gala brings together military families, veterans, scholarship recipients, and supporters on the field at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. The patriotic event raises millions toward educational scholarships for spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The black tie-optional evening will include seated dinner, auctions, live music, dancing, and a special appearance by former President George W. Bush. Honorary chairs are The Stephenson Foundation. For tables (starting at $3,500), tickets, and donations, visit the website.

Presbyterian Night Shelter Home for the Holidays Gala – December 5 at The Fort Worth Club
The festive, holiday-season gala will be a night of dining, dancing, live and silent auctions, raffles, and games, all benefiting Presbyterian Night Shelter. Those who can’t attend in person can still bid on silent auction items online. All proceeds from the holiday-time event will go toward helping Tarrant County residents who are struggling with homelessness. For more information and tickets, visit the website.

Fort Worth Margarita Ball – December 6 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Benefiting Children’s Charities of Fort Worth, the annual black-tie gala attracts a young professional crowd, 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 $150 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 run-up to the big gala, check out the celebrity fashion show taking place at Billy Bob’s Texas on October 16; it’s free to attend and will feature local celebrity models showcasing Margarita Ball-inspired looks.

Caren Koslow Fashion Show & Luncheon, December 18 at Bass Hall
Named for late Texas Ballet Theater patron Caren Koslow, this cherished daytime event at Bass Hall has been bringing together fashion mavens and ballet lovers for 32 years. Guests are treated to lunch and a runway show on the Bass Hall stage featuring Texas Ballet Theater dancers modeling designer looks from Neiman Marcus. The event benefits the company’s scholarship program and regularly sells out quickly, as reservations are limited and coveted. Patrons have a better chance at snagging tickets to the high-energy Caren Koslow Fashion Show and Party After Dark on December 17, the night before the luncheon. For more information about either event, contact SpecialEvents@TexasBallet.org.

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