Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Met Gala

The 2026 Met Gala will take place on the evening of 4 May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year’s Costume Institute Benefit is already set to become one of the most talked-about fashion events of the year. The theme of the exhibition is Costume Art, while the official dress code is Fashion Is Art — placing the spotlight on looks that blur the line between fashion, art and performance.

Traditionally, the Met Gala sets the tone for the fashion conversation for months to come. It is the night when celebrities, designers and stylists present their boldest interpretations of the theme, with each red carpet appearance instantly becoming a subject of discussion across the media and social platforms. In 2026, especially conceptual looks are expected — from sculptural silhouettes and direct art references to daring designs that explore the body as a living canvas.

This year’s Met Gala will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. Naturally, much attention will be on Beyoncé, as her last Met Gala appearance was almost a decade ago. The 2026 edition will also mark Anna Wintour’s first Met Gala since stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue.

Beyoncé at the 2016 Met Gala
Photo: Getty Images

Venus Williams at the 2025 Met Gala
Photo: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman at the 2025 Met Gala
Photo: Getty Images

As in previous years, the gala will also have a host committee. This year, it includes Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Adut Akech, Angela Bassett, Sinéad Burke, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Rebecca Hall, LISA, Chloe Malle, Aimee Mullins, Amy Sherald, Tschabalala Self, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Anna Weyant, Lauren Wasser, A’ja Wilson, Chase Sui Wonders and Yseult. In addition, as the lead sponsors of the 2026 gala and exhibition, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos will serve as honorary chairs.

The exhibition opened by the gala will also focus on costume as an artistic object. This means the 2026 Met Gala promises to be more than just a major red carpet moment — it is expected to spark a wider cultural conversation about how fashion shapes the language of contemporary art. That is why, once again, the event will gather not only the fashion industry, but everyone who follows pop culture, celebrity style and the evolving relationship between clothing, identity and art.