Columbus Museum of Art’s Wonderball returns Jan. 31 with after-hours galleries, performances, and fundraising focus

A winter fundraiser built around art, fashion and late-night museum access

Columbus Museum of Art will host its 12th annual Wonderball on Saturday, Jan. 31, running from 8 p.m. to midnight. The 21-and-older event is billed as an after-hours celebration that combines access to museum galleries with performances, live music and participatory experiences staged throughout the building.

Wonderball is part of the museum’s recurring slate of signature events and functions as a fundraiser tied to the museum’s creative and educational programming. The museum reports that, since 2014, Wonderball sponsors and donors have raised more than $1.7 million in support of creative programming. The museum also reports that the event has drawn nearly 14,000 attendees since it began.

Theme and dress framework: black-and-white with a “Baroque” element

Wonderball’s established visual framework centers on black-and-white fashion, with an annual theme element that adds a new styling prompt. For 2026, the museum’s theme element is “Baroque,” a reference to its exhibition programming tied to “Artemisia Gentileschi: Naples to Beirut.” The museum’s event materials encourage guests to incorporate ornate details, including gold accents and accessories.

Tickets, what is included, and how the event is structured

Public tickets are priced at $150. The museum lists the following as included with admission: two drink tickets and cash bars, sample bites from Columbus-area eateries, and after-hours access to galleries. The museum also describes the ticket price as including a tax-deductible donation benefiting creative programming.

VIP tickets are listed at $250 and add access to a VIP lounge, while keeping the same core inclusions: two drink tickets, food sampling, and after-hours gallery access.

• Public admission: $150, 8 p.m. to midnight, 21+

• VIP admission: $250, includes VIP lounge access

• Location: Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.

Event leadership and programming partners

The museum lists Corey Robinson and Justin Flowers as 2026 event chairs. The museum identifies Robinson as Chief Product Officer at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Flowers as Group Vice President of Sourcing at the same company.

Programming is described as spanning installations, projection mapping, performances, and live music. The museum’s published lineup includes BalletMet 2 among performance groups and lists multiple local music and DJ acts scheduled across the evening.

Wonderball is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8 p.m. to midnight, and is restricted to guests 21 and older.

What Wonderball signals for the museum’s public-facing calendar

As a winter signature fundraiser with timed entry and after-hours access, Wonderball serves as a high-capacity public event that intersects with exhibitions already on view. It also reinforces the museum’s broader approach to pairing arts programming with fundraising goals, using ticketed nightlife formats to underwrite education and creative initiatives.