The 20 Most Lavish and Expensive Events in the World

Every year, the world plays host to a variety of events that cater to the elite, the influential, and the extravagant. From fashion shows to festivals, from sporting events to charity galas, the world’s most expensive gatherings are a testament to opulence and exclusivity.

The Met Gala isn’t just a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute; it’s a showcase of high fashion and celebrity extravagance. Dubbed “fashion’s biggest night out” the Met Gala is a chance for designers, celebrities, and fashion industry icons to show off their elaborate, theme-fitting outfits.

For Formula 1 enthusiasts, there’s no place more glamorous than the Monaco Grand Prix. This event goes far beyond “just a race,” rather, it’s a weekend in the Mediterranean with lavish parties, bottomless champagne, and mingling with some of the richest people in the world.

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most publicized and impactful events in the entertainment industry. Held in a resort town in the French Riviera, this extravagant film festival attracts celebrities and filmmakers from around the world. 

The cost to attend the Cannes Film Festival can range from $6,000 for a standard package to over $25,000 for a VIP experience. With exclusive film premieres, luxurious yacht parties, and top-notch cuisine, Cannes during festival week is a playground for the rich and famous.

The Royal Ascot – the race that Eliza Doolittle attends in My Fair Lady –  is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attended by British royalty and high society. 

While tickets to the Royal Enclosure are reserved for guests of the royal family, certain VIP packages are available to the general public. These sell for anywhere between $700 and $3,600 and include entry to the Queen Anne Enclosure, exclusive bars, and dining experiences.

The Monaco Yacht Festival is a prestigious event where the world’s most luxurious yachts are showcased in the heart of the French Riviera. It’s estimated that the ships that attend the festival are collectively worth over $4.3 billion. The surrounding social events, private parties, and luxury accommodations all add to the total expense of indulging in the Monaco Yacht Festival.

Paris Fashion Week is the highlight of the year for fashionistas across the globe. Attending this high-profile event means indulging in a week of runway shows and exclusive parties.

Is it any surprise that the country with the highest GDP per capita would appear so many times on this list? The Monaco Rose Ball was first created by Monaco’s Princess Grace in 1954 and is one of the most prestigious charity events in the world. Held annually in the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, attending this glamorous soirée means immersing yourself in an evening of unparalleled elegance.

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. Attending the Derby is a chance to embrace the Southern traditions of sipping mint juleps and donning extravagant hats.

The Cannes Yachting Festival is an extravagant showcase of luxury yachts and sailboats that brings together the world’s wealthiest.

The Masters Tournament is the first of the four major men’s professional golf tournaments that takes place at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Getting an elusive ticket is no small feat. It takes either winning the Masters’ ticket lottery, being a member of the Professional Golf Association, or submitting to the mercy of the ticket black market, which is littered with scammers selling fake tickets.

Once again, we’re back in Cannes, where once a year, advertising and marketing professionals flock to the Cannes Lions Festival to celebrate creativity and innovation.

The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, is the pinnacle of the film industry. Attending the show without being in a nominated film takes a miracle. Tickets to the ceremony are not available to the general public, and there’s even a lottery for Academy members to attend Hollywood’s biggest night.

The Coachella Valley Music Festival in California has for decades been seen as the best music festival in the United States. The stage has been graced by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, Billie Elish, and even Beyonce.

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is widely considered to be the most prestigious. Together with the Australian Open, US Open, and the French Open, it’s one of the four Grand Slams of tennis.

The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the final race of the Formula 1 season and takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit. 

The Paris Summer 2024 Olympics marks the first time that the opening ceremony has been open to the public – if they’re willing to pay exorbitant amounts. The ceremony takes place along the banks of the Seine, and for reserved seats in the coveted seats next to the Eiffel Tower, prepare to spend $2,800. 

The NBA Finals is the pinnacle of professional basketball, where the best teams in the National Basketball Association compete for the championship title. 

The Super Bowl is not only the most-watched sporting event in the United States, but also a colossal celebration of American football, entertainment, and advertising. Tickets for the Super Bowl can vary based on seating location, but they range between $4,000 and $29,000.

Pacha’s Music On is a legendary celebration that marks the transition into the new year in the party capital of the world. Pacha is one of Ibiza’s oldest and most infamous techno clubs. Though the clubs in Ibiza usually close their doors for the winter, Pacha reopens for their highly-exclusive New Year’s Eve party.

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest in the world, drawing two million party-goers each day. Each year, the Copacabana Palace Hotel hosts the Magic Ball, the most exclusive carnival event. This black tie ball is always packed with international celebrities and the world’s ultra-wealthy. Standing room tickets are reasonably priced, but to have an actual seat, dinner, or access to any of the VIP rooms starts at $2,500.