Pop culture fans and fashion connoisseurs alike, get excited. The countdown to the 2026 Met Gala is on. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s event has been dubbed fashion’s biggest night, with the famously ornate and creative designs worn by attendees, tailored to that year’s theme and dress code. The 2026 theme, Costume Art, is unlike any we’ve seen in the Met’s prior years — and is sure to bring a range of interpretations in dress. Personally, I can’t wait to see which directions designers take with this concept. Plus, the 2026 Met Gala hosts have been announced, including the one and only Beyoncé. Yes, our prayers have been answered.
While the 2026 Met Gala is still several months away, many of us are already feeling the hype. On the first Monday in May (the night the Met Gala is held every year), social media platforms basically explode. With speculation on who will be attending, sneak peeks of outfits as stars leave their hotels, and those first red carpet shots, it’s a lot to take in. And of course, don’t forget the flood of memes that ensue. (Who could forget the recurring “Jason Derulo falling down the stairs” joke?)
We already know quite a bit about what’s in store for the 2026 Met Gala, including the date, hosts, and theme. To catch you up to speed, here’s a rundown on the 2026 Met Gala.
The 2026 Met Gala Date
The Met Gala is traditionally held on the first Monday of May each year. In 2026, that falls on May 4.
The 2026 Met Gala Hosts
Each year, the Met Gala is hosted by several co-chairs joining Vogue‘s Anna Wintour. This year, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams are set to co-chair the event alongside Wintour. Additionally, Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA, Sam Smith, and Teyana Taylor are set to co-chair the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee.
This is Beyoncé’s first time co-hosting the event, and her first time attending the Met Gala in 10 years. She last attended in 2016.
The 2026 Met Gala Theme
The 2026 Met Gala theme is short and simple, and is the first in recent years to not include a subtitle. The theme Costume Art, as explained by curator Andrew Bolton, takes inspiration from “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection.” He says that fashion “has the status of art because of, and not in spite of, its relation to the body.” This theme comes alongside the arrival of the Costume Art exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in which around 200 garments and accessories will be paired with artworks like paintings and sculptures.
The 2026 Met Gala Guests
The Met Gala guest list is typically kept top secret until the night of the event. Though, fans often speculate who will be in attendance based on past years and celebrity schedules at the time. We can certainly expect to see the event’s co-chairs in attendance. In 2025, we saw tons of actors, music artists, and even influencers take the red carpet. Rihanna, Emma Chamberlain, Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, the Kardashians and Jenners, Chappell Roan, and Jenna Ortega were all at the 2025 Met Gala. When it comes to the 2026 event, only time will tell. Though, no matter who attends, I can’t wait to see what they’re all wearing.