Special Events, Awards, Banquets and Galas

Current & Future

• More Banquets & Galas information coming in 2012-2013 Season.

Past

• 2013 Kennedy Center Spring Gala May 2013
  

  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• The Opera Ball April 6, 2013

  Washington National Opera's annual Opera Ball celebrates the close of the Opera's 2012-13 season.

• The Kennedy Center Honors December 2, 2012

  An annual televised celebration recognizing the talents and lifetime achievements of the world's greatest performing artists.

• The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor October 22, 2012

  The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball September 30, 2012

  The NSO marks its 80th anniversary with this gala event led by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach with guest violinist Joshua Bell on a program to include works by Dvořàk, Bruch, Smetana, and Ravel as well as a film celebrating this milestone.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball September 25, 2011

  The NSO marks its 80th anniversary with this gala event led by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach with guest violinist Joshua Bell on a program to include works by Dvořàk, Bruch, Smetana, and Ravel as well as a film celebrating this milestone.

• The Opera Ball June 2, 2012

  Washington National Opera's annual Opera Ball celebrates the close of the Opera's 2011-12 season.

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  2012 Kennedy Center Spring Gala
  May 6, 2012
  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• The Kennedy Center Honors December 4, 2011

  An annual televised celebration recognizing the talents and lifetime achievements of the world's greatest performing artists.

• The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor October 23, 2011

  A cast of top entertainers will salute Will Ferrell in the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball September 25, 2011

  The NSO marks its 80th anniversary with this gala event led by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach with guest violinist Joshua Bell on a program to include works by Dvořàk, Bruch, Smetana, and Ravel as well as a film celebrating this milestone.

• 2011 Kennedy Center Spring Gala
  April 3, 2011

  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• The Kennedy Center Honors

  December 5, 2010
  An annual televised celebration recognizing the talents and lifetime achievements of the world's greatest performing artists

• The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor November 9, 2010

  Comedian Tina Fey will be the 2010 recipient for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

• Marian Anderson Award Monday October 4, 2010

  A career grant for American singers in mid-career in honor of Marian Anderson and her musical and humanitarian accomplishments. Submissions due in January 2010. A Recital in the Fall of 2010 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater will feature the winner of the award.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball September 25, 2010
  

  In his inaugural performance as Music Director of the NSO and the Kennedy Center, Christoph Eschenbach conducts a program of music by Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss Jr, and Liszt with pianist Lang Lang and soprano Renée Fleming. This premier black-tie event, a highlight of the Washington social scene, benefits the education programs of the NSO.

• 2010 Kennedy Center Spring Gala
  May 2, 2010
  

  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• The Kennedy Center Honors December 6, 2009
  

  An annual televised celebration recognizing the talents and lifetime achievements of the world's greatest performing artists

• The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor October 26, 2009

  An event celebrating the accomplishments of American legend Bill Cosby.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball
  September 26, 2009
  

  This premier black-tie event of the Washington social season benefits the education programs of the NSO.

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  2009 Kennedy Center Spring Gala
  May 3, 2009
  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• The Kennedy Center Honors December 7, 2008
  

  An annual televised celebration recognizing the talents and lifetime achievements of the world's greatest performing artists

• The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor November 10, 2008
  

  The Kennedy Center awarded the late Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, and author George Carlin with the eleventh annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the annual televised celebration recognizing those who create humor from their uniquely American experience.

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  National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball
  September 20, 2008
  This premier black-tie event of the Washington social season benefits the education programs of the NSO.

• Marian Anderson Award September 18, 2008
  

  Indira Mahajan, of New York City, received the 2008 Marian Anderson Award and gave a recital on September 18, 2008 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.

• The Kennedy Center Honors December 2007
  

  An annual fundraiser for the artistic, educational, and outreach programs nationwide for the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra.

• National Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Ball
  September, 2007
  

  This premier black-tie event of the Washington social season benefits the education programs of the NSO.