The Fifth Avenue Snowflake Ball Is Making a Comeback

The Fifth Avenue Snowflake for Humanity Foundation has revealed that the annual Snowflake Ball, a New York City tradition dedicated to humanitarian causes during the holiday season, will return for the first time since 2019.

It will be held Nov. 22 at The Pierre hotel’s Grand Ballroom, and Citymeals on Wheels will be this year’s beneficiary. The foundation will honor Daniel Boulud, the French chef and restaurateur, recognizing his work as chair of the board of directors of Citymeals that serves homebound elderly New Yorkers and has delivered 70 million meals since 1981.

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During the 200th anniversary of the historic Fifth Avenue, the gala will recognize the Fifth Avenue Association on its mission to maintain Fifth Avenue as one of the most iconic luxury retail boulevards in the world.

As part of the holiday tradition, the Stonbely Family Foundation will once again illuminate the Fifth Avenue Snowflake from Nov. 22 through January. It is positioned at the intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, stands 30 feet tall and wide and contains 16,500 individual crystal prisms. The massive 3,300-pound snowflake underwent a transformation in 2023, adding high-intensity, full-color LED lights and new algorithmic patterns displaying more than 760,000 colors and hues.

George Stonbely, board chair of the Fifth Avenue Snowflake for Humanity Foundation, said, “The Snowflake Balls have raised over $65 million over a 15-year period, supporting and advocating for the protection of children’s rights, helping to meet their basic needs and expanding their opportunities to reach their full potential on a global scale. This year, following a hiatus due to the pandemic, we are focusing our efforts on urgent local needs and are thrilled to collaborate with Citymeals on Wheels, as part of the return of the Snowflake Ball, and to honor the legendary Daniel Boulud, chairman of Citymeals, who had been part of the nation’s largest nonprofit meals on wheels program and a true New Yorker for over 40 years.

“With the milestone anniversary of the 200th anniversary of Fifth Avenue, we will celebrate the Fifth Avenue Association on their successful mission to maintain Fifth Avenue as the most iconic luxury retail boulevard in the world,” he added. “The district of the Fifth Avenue Association features the world’s most storied luxury retail brands — including LMVH, Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels located on the four corners of 557th Street and Fifth Avenue,” Stonbely said.

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