Music superstar Beyoncé is officially returning to the Met Gala stage as a co-chair for the 2026 edition—her first appearance at the event since 2016. She joins Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, tennis legend Venus Williams, and Vogue’s influential editor Anna Wintour, marking a powerhouse lineup for what remains fashion’s most prestigious annual event. The announcement has already set social media buzzing, signaling a major cultural moment ahead.

The 2026 Gala coincides with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibition Costume Art, curated by Andrew Bolton of theCostume Institute. The show will explore the relationship between clothing and the human body, examining how fashion has framed, shaped, and interacted with the body throughout history. It will unfold across striking sections including “Naked Body,” “Classical Body,” “Anatomical Body,” “Pregnant Body,” and “Aging Body.”

Drawing from the Met’s vast fashion archives, Costume Art will feature garments spanning centuries and cultures. It also holds the distinction of being the first major exhibition staged in the museum’s newly constructed gallery, located beside the iconic Great Hall. The exhibition will run from May 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, offering visitors an immersive look at clothing as cultural expression.

The Met Gala itself—an essential fundraiser for the Costume Institute—is slated for Monday, May 4, 2026. Although the official dress code has not yet been released, anticipation is already building, especially with the host committee taking shape. Actress Zoë Kravitz and designer Anthony Vaccarello will co-chair the committee, joined by a glittering lineup that includes Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, Sam Smith, Lisa, Teyana Taylor, and Elizabeth Debicki. Additional members will be announced as the event draws closer.

Kidman and Williams both attended the 2024 Gala, but Beyoncé’s return stands out as a defining moment—marking a full decade since she last ascended the Met steps. With these three cultural heavyweights at the helm, the 2026 Met Gala is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about events in global fashion.