Met Gala 2026: Where to watch, what to expect

May 1 (UPI) -- The 2026 Met Gala will take place Monday, May 4, in New York City.

The star-studded gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Benefit, is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It is considered the premier fashion event of the year.

Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, tennis star Venus Williams and former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will co-chair the event, which will have a "Costume Art" theme. The dress code will be "Fashion is Art."

The gala celebrates the opening of the "Costume Art" exhibit at the Met, the first exhibit to be shown in the new Condé M. Nast Galleries. The collection explores "the inherent relationship between clothing and the body," and runs May 10 through Jan. 10, 2027.

Where to watch

The Met Gala will stream on Vogue's social media channels, including YouTube and TikTok, May 4 at 6 p.m. ET. Ashley Graham, La La Anthony and Cara Delevingne will host the show, with Emma Chamberlain to serve as red carpet correspondent.

Participants

Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams will co-chair the event alongside Anna Wintour.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, will serve as honorary chairs.

Attendees will include Angela Bassett, Chase Sui Wonders, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Lisa, Misty Copeland, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor and Zoe Kravitz, who are members of the host committee.

What to expect

This year's gala has a "Costume Art" theme and a "Fashion is Art" dress code.

Guests may take inspiration from the Costume Institute exhibit, which "explores depictions of the dressed body across The Met's vast collection, pairing garments with artworks to reveal the inherent relationship between clothing and the body."

2026 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 1:11 PM.