What is a Gala?
When most people hear the word gala, they think of celebrity events like the Met Gala held in New York City every year or fancy parties seen in movies and TV. But galas are much more common than you might think and they can be used for a variety of reasons.
A gala is a special occasion where guests dress up to celebrate a certain event, achievement, or cause. It’s also a great way to raise money for a nonprofit organization or charity. The purpose of a gala can vary, but it’s usually a night of elegance with dinner and entertainment like a musical performance or silent auctions.
The word gala is derived from the Latin galan, which means “pleasure.” It’s closely related to the Old French gale (“rejoicing”) and the Middle English galer (“enjoy oneself”). For more on the history of the word, see this article from the Oxford Dictionaries Blog.