Look alive: the first Monday in May is almost here. With the unveiling of the Costume Art exhibit—and the 2026 Met Gala—merely days away, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch.

While entertainment’s biggest names and fashion designers alike get ready to board international flights to make their way to Manhattan, harried assistants are already on overdrive, publicists are knuckling down, and the industry’s most in-demand glam teams are in the trenches prepping.

As for the spectators? It’s a chance to partake in the lead-up in some way, shape, or form by soaking up the celebrity-adjacent happenings, whether indulging in an aptly-named cocktail or squeezing in a supermodel-approved beauty treatment.

Here, a cheat sheet for when someone asks your plans.

Wednesday

The Brits are most certainly in town. The King’s Trust Gala returns to the city, with a guest list that combines literal royals and those who may as well be in the eyes of the paparazzi. Stella McCartney will also bring together a crew to toast her new H&M collaboration—with no budget spared on the production, if past H&M events are anything to go by.

Thursday

Tory Burch will present her namesake Foundation’s second annual Founder’s Breakfast, honoring Anna Wintour and beginning at 8 a.m. sharp. Later on, Anne Hathaway and Erin Walsh will celebrate the stylist’s new book, The Art of Intentional Dressing, with a chic soirée on Fifth Avenue. And after dark, seminal photographer Steven Klein will blow out his birthday candles with a party at a particularly maximalist venue that perfectly fits his aesthetic.

Friday

T minus three days means it’s time for Vogue to officially kick off the weekend with its now-traditional First Friday fete. Chloe Malle, Simone Ashley, and Teyana Taylor will host a major bash at a location that makes total sense when you hear the dress code: Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

The TikTok-famous Not-A-Normal Show, which brings together over 60 vintage dealers and indie vendors from across the country, will also open at 31 East 17th Street from Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday evening to cure any shoppies you may have.

Saturday

Espresso, anyone? The Vogue Café will throw open its doors bright and early, with a live podcast recording of The Run-Through featuring Tory Burch in conversation with Nicole Phelps. The must-visit ephemeral salon de thé in SoHo is ready to welcome the public from 10 a.m. and will remain in situ through Monday. (Figure out how to get your iced matcha and biscotti fix right here.)

Once night falls, Colman Domingo is set to throw his second annual Put That Sh*t On party in Chelsea with friends and collaborators—so you can bet that the Don Julio shots will be flowing into the wee hours. Teyana Taylor is reportedly hosting a super exclusive, no-photos-allowed burlesque show—starring herself!—too. While elsewhere in the city, word has it invites have been dispatched for a shin-dig organized by Jeff and Lauren Bezos.

Sunday

A day of rest? Hardly. At least the Vogue Café will be fueling the action with lots of caffeine while playing backdrop to all-day programming. As for any stars repped by United Talent Agency, they’ll join their hard-working managers for a cocktail or two at the showbiz firm’s annual Pre-Met Gala gathering at a ritzy NoMad location.

For those wanting to put their best foot—or rather, face—forward, they should book in for a celebrity-worthy Met Gala-inspired La Mer sculpting treatment at The EDITION Hotel, or with Cynthia Rivas at her serene studio at WSA. While there, you might just bump into the likes of Sarah Pidgeon, Camilla Morrone, or Cara Delevingne who are already scheduled to have their buccal muscles seen to.