The annual Met Gala returns to the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and this time the evening will center on the Costume Institute exhibition titled Costume Art. The gala falls on Monday, May 4, and the formal dress instruction for guests is Fashion Is Art. Co-chairs for the night include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour, who together anchor what many still call fashion’s most exclusive fundraiser. For those not on the invite list, a livestream and digital coverage mean you can experience the spectacle from anywhere.
The Met Gala has long married spectacle with philanthropy: it benefits the Costume Institute, the museum department that sustains its own exhibitions. Expect a mix of inventive red-carpet statements—recall memorable moments when celebrities interpreted themes through theatrical choices—and the usual parade of stars, designers and cultural figures. This year’s event also coincides with the public opening of the new exhibition space a few days later, adding another layer to what attendees will celebrate.
How to watch the red carpet and livestream
Vogue will host the official livestream and distribute coverage across its digital channels, including YouTube and TikTok. If you want immediate access, have a browser or app ready at the announced time: the red-carpet feed begins at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, May 4. Streaming from these platforms makes the carpet accessible to a global audience, while dedicated live commentary and expert takeaways help decode looks, designers and talking points for viewers who want more than quick snapshots.
On-camera talent and live reaction
Expect familiar faces guiding the coverage: model Ashley Graham, actor La La Anthony and model-turned-activist Cara Delevingne will be part of the presenting team, with influencer and interviewer Emma Chamberlain serving as Vogue’s red-carpet correspondent. For readers seeking running commentary and immediate critiques, media outlets will run live blogs and social channels that compile best- and worst-dressed lists, designer notes and surprise guest updates—useful if you want fashion context as the arrivals unfold.
Inside the exhibition and guest experience
The onstage theme maps back to the museum show titled Costume Art, which pairs roughly 200 garments with about 200 artworks to show how fashion and visual art have informed one another across eras. The exhibition will debut to the public on May 10 in the newly configured Condé M. Nast Galleries, a near 12,000-square-foot space adjacent to the Great Hall. Curator Andrew Bolton emphasizes inclusive presentation: the show uses newly produced mannequins that reflect a variety of body types, some informed by digital scans of real people, and sections that consider bodies historically overlooked by both art and fashion.
What the evening looks like for guests
The typical Met Gala evening still follows its familiar rhythm: arrivals and the red carpet, a receiving line in the museum, and then movement between the exhibition and dinner in the galleries and the Temple of Dendur. Guests often receive camera-covering stickers as part of museum policy, and the program can include musical performance or an orchestra. Attendance is limited; tickets begin at US$100,000 for individuals and tables start near US$350,000, with roughly 400 seats filling the guest list. For many, the night ends in after-parties where outfits and impressions continue to circulate online.
Controversy, protests and public response
The gala and the exhibition have prompted public scrutiny because lead sponsorship was attributed to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, who were named as principal backers and honorary chairs. That association sparked a backlash among activists and some political figures, with opponents arguing that wealthy corporate patrons should not overshadow a public cultural institution. The debate intensified after the announcement: critics pointed to corporate labor practices and the museum’s choice to accept funding while raising concerns online and in the city.
Protest activity has taken visible forms in New York’s transit system, where sticker campaigns and poster-style artwork appeared in subway displays and other public spaces. A small activist collective disseminated materials that critique Amazon labor practices and the company’s reported cloud-services ties to immigration enforcement, encouraging public sharing and redistribution of protest art. The controversy has also prompted public refusals to attend; for example, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani signaled he would skip the event. Museum and fashion leadership publicly defended their choice of patrons; Anna Wintour spoke to media to explain the museum’s gratitude for support while the debate continued to play out on social platforms.
Whether you’re tuning in for the outfits, the designers, the cultural conversations or the spectacle, the Met Gala 2026 promises a layered evening: a red carpet for millions to watch online, a museum exhibition that opens to the public days later, and a civic conversation about funding and influence that extends beyond fashion. If you plan to stream, mark your calendar for May 4 at 6 p.m. ET and look for Vogue’s official platforms for the full live experience.
