Once upon a time, you thought you had seen it all. This fall, however, Houston’s philanthropic community will have the opportunity to step into a world where fashion, fantasy and fundraising come together for a magical evening benefiting the city’s youngest learners.

Children’s Museum Houston will host its 2026 Fall Gala, “Once Upon a Time: A Fairytale Fashion Gala,” on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at The Corinthian, 202 Fannin St. in downtown Houston. 

The evening promises storybook glamour, with guests encouraged to dress to enchant in Fairytale Flair or Black Tie attire. The gala will feature silent, live and online auctions, along with an evening of dining, entertainment and philanthropy in support of Children’s Museum Houston.

Leading this year’s event are Event Chairs Jessica and Michael Bertuccio and Bahareh and James Flavin. Lauren and Max Barret and Lilly and Harrison Cullen are serving as Underwriting Chairs, while Alex and Jeff Butt and Claire and Ian Virga are serving as Auction Chairs.

Supporting Houston’s Youngest Learners

The gala will raise funds to support Children’s Museum Houston and its mission to improve the trajectories of children in Greater Houston through innovative, child-centered learning. According to the museum, gala proceeds help provide enriching exhibits and programming for more than 1.3 million visitors and outreach participants each year, while supporting free educational outreach and admission opportunities for families throughout the Greater Houston area. 

Children’s Museum Houston currently reports serving more than 750,000 people annually, with 35 percent of visitors receiving free admission, partnerships with 325 community organizations and approximately 162,000 children served through off-site programming. 

The museum, located at 1500 Binz St. in Houston’s Museum District, recently marked a major milestone with the opening of the Gallery of Wonder, a 9,500-square-foot early childhood learning space designed for children from infancy through age 5 and their families. The museum describes the Gallery of Wonder as the nation’s largest museum space dedicated exclusively to early learning. 

The new space includes immersive areas such as Under the Waves, Into the Woods, Tot*Spot, Viva Village and Tree Top Terrace, along with the Ta-Da Theater and research-informed programming focused on early brain development, music, movement, storytelling, problem-solving and motor skills. 

Sponsorship Opportunities

The gala’s highest sponsorship level is the Royal Crown Presenting Sponsor at $150,000, with only one sponsorship available. Other table sponsorship opportunities include:

• Enchanted Court: $100,000
• Grand Ballroom Society: $50,000
• Storybook Legend: $30,000
• Happily Ever After: $25,000
• Magic Maker: $15,000
• Fairytale Cast: $10,000
• Wish Upon a Star: $7,500

A limited “A Toast to the Kingdom Champagne Experience” add-on is also available for $1,000, with 20 available. 

Additional sponsorship opportunities include:

• Royal Entertainment Sponsor: $25,000
• Treasure Trove Auction Sponsor: $15,000
• Enchanted Elixirs Bar Sponsor: $10,000

The Grand Arrival Valet Sponsor, Royal Invitation Sponsor and Storybook Program Sponsor are currently listed as sold out on the museum’s official gala page. 

As Children’s Museum Houston continues expanding opportunities for children and families across Greater Houston, the 2026 Fall Gala offers supporters a chance to celebrate imagination while investing in hands-on learning experiences for the next generation.

Children’s Museum Houston’s “Once Upon a Time: A Fairytale Fashion Gala”
Saturday, October 17, 2026
6:30 p.m. to midnight
The Corinthian
202 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77002

For additional gala and sponsorship information, visit Children’s Museum Houston’s official gala page.