What Is the Met Gala? See Answers to Questions About Fashion's Biggest Night
The Met Gala is fashion's biggest night, but what is it? And why are celebs wearing elaborate (and sometimes just weird) dresses? Us Weekly has you covered with answers to all of your burning questions about the Met Gala.
What Is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is a fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Also known as The Costume Institute Benefit, the event is the Costume Institute's "primary source of funding for exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, operations and capital improvements," per The Met.
Where Is the Met Gala?
The event is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Fifth Avenue location in New York City's Upper East Side. Attendees will walk the red carpet and climb the iconic steps before enjoying the dinner inside the venue. (The museum is closed on the first Monday every May to accommodate the event.)
Who Gets to Attend the Met Gala?
It's a fundraiser, so of the roughly 400 people who attend the Met Gala donate a lot of money to the museum or attend on behalf of a benefactor. Celebrities are often invited by fashion houses, which pay for full tables at the Met. Tables start at $300,000 for the 2023 event, according to The New York Times, while individuals can buy their own tickets for $50,000.
Can Anyone With the Money Buy Tickets to the Met Gala?
No. Anna Wintour, who has served as a chairwoman since 1995, gets final say over the entire guest list.
Copyright 2026 Us Weekly. All rights reserved
This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 3:17 PM.