The2026 Met Galais fast approaching.
Snow may be pelting the grand steps ofNew York's Metropolitan Museum of Artthis weekend, but soon enough winter will melt to Spring and the iconic institution will ready for its premiere event.
Headed up, in part, byVogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour, the Met Gala marries high fashion with high stakes as celebrities attempt not to offend even the fiercest of internet critics with their take on the dress code du jour.
This year, a powerful trio of women, includingBeyoncé, will serve as co-chairs for the event, and guests will be wined and dined on the dime of the newly marriedLauren and Jeff Bezos, who were announced as primary donors.
Here's what to know about the 2026 Met Gala.
The biggest momentsfrom the 2025 Met Gala: Rihanna, Diana Ross, more red carpet highlights
What is the dress code, theme for the 2026 Met Gala?
Following anannouncement in Novemberthat the theme for themost famed night in fashionwould be "Costume Art,"Vogue confirmed Monday, Feb. 23,that guests would be asked to dress to the code "fashion is art." Both vague and central to the true essence of style, the phrase seems aimed at urging designers to use the body as a blank canvas.
"What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body," Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the museum's Costume Institute, said, per Vogue. The Costume Institute puts on the party each year as a fundraiser.
"It's the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was," Bolton said.
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Beyoncésets Met Gala return,will co-chair event in 2026
The Met Gala, which arrives arm-in-arm with an exhibition at the iconic New York museum each year, will be accompanied in 2026 by the launch of the nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. Named for the magazine publisher whose company would go on to transform Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, the exhibition will focus on the "centrality of the dressed body in the museum's vast collection," pairing contemporary and historic garments from theCostume Institute's collectionwith paintings, sculptures and other art "spanning 5,000 years" from The Met.
Who is hosting the 2026 Met Gala?
Beyoncé,Nicole KidmanandVenus Williamsare set to serve as co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala alongsideWintour.
Vogue also announced that designer Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz will co-chair the Met Gala Host Committee for 2026 with membersSabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie,Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki,Lena Dunham, Lisa, Sam Smith,Teyana Taylorand more stars.
Metropolitan Museum of Art announcesMet Gala 2026 theme, 'Costume Art'
When is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala always takes place on the first Monday in May, which this year falls on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Hilights from the 2025 Met Gala
For 2025 the exhibit– and the night'sdress code, "Tailored for You" – highlighted Black dandyism.
With celebrity attendees includingA$AP Rocky,Spike Lee,Janelle MonaéandUsher, the Met steps were full of immaculate suiting, custom couture and inventive takes on tailoring. A focus on Black history and personal style was inherent in each ensemble, fromDiana Ross' feathered 18-foot train toRihanna's reveal of her baby bump.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Anika Reed, Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Met Gala dress code is finally here – What to know about 2026 theme
