Annual Gala

What a wonderful evening it was celebrating the People in Our Neighborhood and the power of kindness. Thank you for joining us at Sesame Workshop’s 2026 Annual Gala, to celebrate the People in Our Neighborhood and the kindness, compassion, and sense of community that is so needed today. 

Thanks to your generosity, the evening was not only a meaningful celebration, but a powerful investment in our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Together, we raised $3.3 million to help Sesame Workshop bring critical support, joyful learning, and brighter futures to children and families around the world. 

We are deeply grateful to our host, Craig Melvin, for his warmth and energy, to will.i.am for an unforgettable performance, and to John Oliver for bringing added levity to the evening! We also extend our sincere thanks to our inspiring honorees, Hoda Kotb and Michel Khalaf, President & CEO of MetLife, for their extraordinary leadership and commitment to children, and to Ina Garten and Carla Harris for helping to make our program so special. 

Click here to view a photo gallery from the evening. 

To fulfill your pledge—or if you didn’t have a chance to give—you can support Sesame Workshop here. Your generosity helps ensure that Sesame is here for generations to come. 

We hope to see you again next year.

Save the Date!

June 2, 2027
Secure your spot and support Sesame Workshop

Contact us for more info

Sesame Workshop’s Annual Gala is our single largest fundraiser of the year. This star-studded event features remarkable honorees, special performances, and of course, the iconic Sesame Street Muppets. Together, we’ll celebrate Sesame Workshop’s ongoing work to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Highlights From Years Past

Michelle Obama

Shonda Rhimes, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Oprah Winfrey

Andra Day

Oprah Winfrey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Heather Headley

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden

Vanessa Williams, HRH Queen Rania, and Barbara Walters

President Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart

John Legend

John Oliver

The Honorable Michael Bloomberg

Michael Buble

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hoda Kotb

Katie Couric

Chrissy Teigen

Charlie Puth

Andy Grammer

Elvis Costello

Norah O’Donnell and Sara Bareilles

Joan Ganz Cooney

Chris Jackson

Anderson Cooper

Erica Hill

Tori Kelly

Renée Elise Goldsberry

Sesame Workshop is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization under EIN 13-2655731. The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $300. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street® and all related trademarks, characters and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop.

The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $300. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law. Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit, nondiscriminatory, 501(c)(3) educational organization. Tax ID# 13-2655731. © 2024 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.