The Road to the 98th Academy Awards: Parties, Events and Key Dates
As awards season nears its peak, Hollywood is buzzing with anticipation for the 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.1 The celebration of films released in 2025 is already underway, marked by a series of exclusive events and gatherings.
Oscar Week: A Jam-Packed Schedule
The week leading up to the Oscars is renowned for its whirlwind of activity, encompassing everything from intimate lunches and cocktail parties to grand galas and additional awards ceremonies.2 This year promises to be no different, with established names like Vanity Fair, Elton John, MPTF, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, and Women in Film once again hosting signature events, alongside several new additions.
Events Calendar: March 7 – March 15, 2026
Saturday, March 7
- Unforgettable Awards: Held at the Fairmont Century Plaza, this event honors Chloé Zhao, Bowen Yang, Daniel Dae Kim, Jet Tila, KPop Demon Hunters, Lawrence Shou, Leenda Dong, Lloyd Lee Choi, Park Chan-wook, and Te Ao o Hinepehinga for their contributions to elevating the Asian and Pacific Islander community.2
- Cinema Audio Society Awards: Taking place at the Beverly Hilton, this ceremony recognizes outstanding achievements in sound mixing, with special recognition for Guillermo del Toro and sound designer Skip Lievsay.2
- Oscar Nominee Spotlights: The Academy Museum will host spotlights for nominees in the Animated Short Film and Animated Feature Film categories, featuring screenings and panel discussions with the filmmakers.2
Sunday, March 8
- Writers Guild Awards (New York Ceremony): The Writers Guild of America East will host its ceremony at the Edison Ballroom, as the Los Angeles event has been cancelled due to a staff strike.2
- MPSE Golden Reel Awards: The Motion Picture Sound Editors’ annual event will be held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, honoring Kathleen Kennedy and Mark Mangini.2
- American Society of Cinematographers Awards: The Beverly Hilton will host the ASC Awards, recognizing achievements in cinematography for feature films, documentaries, television, and music videos.2
- Oscar Nominee Spotlight: Documentary Short Film: The Academy Museum will showcase nominees in the Documentary Short Film category.2
March 9 – March 14: A Whirlwind of Galas and Parties
The days between March 9 and March 14 will be filled with a diverse range of events, including:
- Club J’Adore (March 9): Dior will host a late-night soirée at a private estate in Beverly Hills.
- Time Women of the Year Gala (March 10): Honoring Teyana Taylor, Lucy Liu, and others at the West Hollywood Edition.
- South Asians at the Oscars (March 10): Celebrating South Asian representation in entertainment.
- Queerties Awards (March 10): Honoring LGBTQ+ excellence.
- Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood (March 11): Celebrating up-and-coming actors and artists.
- Diane von Furstenberg Oscar Luncheon (March 11): Celebrating female nominees.
- Essence Black Women in Hollywood (March 13): Celebrating Chase Infiniti, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Kerry Washington, Zinzi Coogler, and the women of Sinners.
- Charles Finch x Chanel (March 14): The 17th annual Oscar-eve dinner at the Polo Lounge.
Sunday, March 15
- 98th Annual Academy Awards: The main event, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will take place at the Dolby Theatre.3
- Governors Ball: The official afterparty, held immediately following the ceremony.
- Vanity Fair Party: The iconic afterparty, now located at LACMA.
The 98th Academy Awards promises to be a spectacular celebration of cinematic achievement, culminating in a night of recognition and revelry.
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