Have fun under the grand tent at the Fête de Swifty. The event, brainchild of Liz Smith, features a street-fair cocktail party. Proceeds benefit the Family Justice Initiative of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. Honorary chairs: Nicole Kidman, Joe Torre. This oh-so-social event begins at 6 p.m. 73rd St. and Lexington Ave. Call: 212-788-7760

CARNEGIE HALL KICKOFF

A concert and black-tie gala benefit will kick off the 117th season at Carnegie Hall. The North American debut of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, led by Claudio Abbado, will feature an all-Beethoven program. The evening includes a pre-concert cocktail reception and a post-concert dinner. 5:30 p.m. Concert at Carnegie Hall, gala at The Waldorf. Call: 212-903-9682

A CINEMATIC CELEBRATION

The magic of moviemaking will be celebrated with a gala honoring New Line Cinema's 40th anniversary. The black-tie affair, hosted by Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, and New Line CEOs Michael Lynne and Bob Shaye, will benefit the Film Society's campaign to build a new film center. The gala will celebrate New Line's cinematic achievements and present a private screening of The Golden Compass . 7:30 p.m. Lincoln Center . Call: 212-581-2646

BEAUTY LUNCHEON

Beauty is more than skin deep at this year's Achiever Awards Luncheon. Recipients include: Pamela Baxter, Thia Breen , Virginia C. Drosos, Helena Foulkes, and Candace Matthews. Cosmetic Executive Women strives to improve career development programs and networking opportunities for professional women in the beauty industry.

11 a.m. The Waldorf. Call: 212-685-5955 x17

RITA HAYWORTH GALA

Although the theme of the annual Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala is Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered, guests are sure to leave pleased and delighted after a glamorous evening of cocktails, silent auction, awards, and dinner and dancing. Famed singer Patty Smyth will perform for Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and her guests. The event will honor Nurit Kahane Haase and John Castle. Co-chairs and committee members include: Michael Fuchs, Mark Locks, Anne Hearst, Joan Jedell, Hilary Dick , Andrea Stark, Michele Herbert, Muffie Potter Aston, Margo Catsimatidis, Somers Farkas, and Judith Ripka. 6:30 p.m. Grand Ballroom, The Waldorf. Call: 212-843-1712

SKIN DEEP

After soaking in the Hamptons sun all summer, it's time to come inside and learn about the importance of protecting your skin from the dangers of cancer at the Skin Cancer Foundation's Skin Sense Award Gala. The dinner will honor Colleen Goggins of Johnson & Johnson and O beauty director Valerie Monroe. Members of the cosmetics, publishing, and pharmaceutical communities will join the social set in supporting this important cause. It will be an informative evening of cocktails, dinner, and awards. 6 p.m. The Pierre . Call: 212-725-5176 x112

SHARING HOPE

Join the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at their 14th annual Sharing Hope Dinner as they honor the Maccioni family, owners of Le Cirque, with the Community Service Award. Honorary chairs for the elegant di nner include: Mary Higgins Clark , Florence D'Urso, and Valerie and Nicholas Mastronardi. 7 p.m. The Pierre . Call: 845-424-3671 x3126

*FLOCK TOGETHER

Renee Zellweger , who summers in the Hamptons , will pick up a paint brush and serve as honorary chair for the third annual Artist and Celebrity Bird House Auction to benefit the South Fork Breast Health Coalition. Zellweger will be joined by other celebrities, designers, and artists as they paint bird houses that will be displayed and auctioned to the public. Creator Karyn Mannix promises some great surprises! 5:30 p.m. Southampton Cultural Center. Call: 631-726-8606

AUTUMN AFFAIR

As the summer landscape quickly fades, the social landscape is in full gear for The Frick's Autumn Dinner. This fabulous black-tie evening honors Anne and John Marion. Co-chairs include: Kay and Benjamin Fortson and Suzette de Marigny Smith. Proceeds will benefit educational and curatorial initiatives. 7 p.m. The Frick Collection. Call: 212-547-0706

LUNCHEON FOR LEADERS

Support the powerful political women in the city at the Eleanor Roosevelt's Annual Campaign Luncheon. Join special guest Hillary Clinton and honoree Ellen Malcolm at this fabulous female fete! 12 p.m. The Grand Hyatt. Call: 212-868-4080

FIESTA TIME!

Guests will dance and dine the night away at the Casita Maria Fiesta. Honorees presented with the Casita Maria Gold Medal of Honor include: Emilia Fanjul, Israel Klabin, Joel Klein, and Hola! 's Carmen Sanchez Perez. The black-tie affair will benefit Casita Maria , New York 's oldest settlement house serving the Hispanic communities. Mario Buatta will play master of ceremonies. Chairs include: Wolfgang and Anne Eisenhower Flottl, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Caroline Herrera, Aileen Mehle, and H.R.H. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia . Bring your dancing shoes to this fun and most glam evening. 7:30 p.m. Mandarin Oriental. 212-868-4043

A DREAM DESIGN

Celebrate the importance of design in everyday life at this year's National Design Awards gala. The awards recognize the excellence of design in a variety of fields, including architecture, communications, fashion, interior design, landscaping, and product design. Honorary patron for the evening is Laura Bush and chairs include Richard Meier, Elizabeth and Lee Ainslie, Yves Behar, Beth Comstock and Chris Travers, and Deedie Rose. 6:30 p.m. Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum . Call: 212-849-8304

HENRY STREET HONOREES

Dance and dine the night away at the Henry Street Settlement Gala and auction. The evening will honor Glenn Dubin and Sol Kerzner. Dinner chairs for this black-tie affair include: Carlos Souza, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Pilar Crespi Robert, and Angela Mariani. 7 p.m. 583 Park Ave. Call: 212-245-6570

GOURMET TREAT

For those who enjoy a taste of perfection, this event is for you! Premier chefs, including Ilan Hall and Sam Talbot, will show off their tricks in the kitchen at COOK.EAT.DRINK.LIVE. The lavish culinary event will also feature the city's largest sampling of specially prepared food and drinks. Wine tasting and workshops on eating green will keep guests occupied. Satisfy your hunger while supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 12 p.m. Pier 94. Call: 212-207-8486

ANGELIC AFFAIR

Enjoy a heavenly evening at this year's Angel Ball, organized by Denise Rich's G&P Foundation for Cancer Research. Celebrity performers and presenters at this glittering black-tie event will include Liz Smith, John Legend, and Petra Nemcova. An after-party and dancing will conclude the celestial evening. 6:30 p.m. Marriott Marquis. Call: 212-254-6677

NEW YORK LANDMARKS

Honor human landmarks from our fabulous city! The New York Landmarks Conservancy will host the Living Landmarks Celebration, hosted by Liz Smith. Honorees include: Lauren Bacall, Oscar de la Renta, Mica Ertegun, Jessye Norman, Gerald Schoenfeld, and John C. Whitehead. 7 p.m. Cipriani 42nd Street . Call: 212-995-5260