TAKE FLIGHT
Spread Your Wings
Every year at the International Fundraising Congress, we let our hair down on the last night of the event for a costume ball like no other, dancing until morning in an astonishing new world. This October, you’re invited spread your wings and take a leap of faith into the unknown…
Take Flight – Gala Night 2026
Across millennia and across cultures, humanity has dreamt of flight.
From the Greek legends of Icarus and Daedalus and the invention of the sky lantern in Ancient China to Da Vinci’s pioneering sketches of flying machines and Amelia Earhart’s record-breaking solo flights, the idea of taking to the skies symbolises possibility, determination, and defiance.
Take Flight is a celebration of courage, imagination, and the unstoppable human spirit that rises no matter the headwinds.
As fundraisers, campaigners, activists, and changemakers, we know that progress is rarely smooth. There are storms we must weather and turbulence that shakes our faith. But we carry on, knowing that the skies will clear again.
On this night, the dance floor becomes a runway, each beat a reminder of the unstoppable rhythm of change.
Be inspired by the freedom of flight! Your costume can reflect the creatures of the sky, the aviators of old, or creatures of myth and imagination. Celebrate the spirit that lifts us all higher and the rainbow that comes after the rain.
It’s time to take flight!
You are invited to interpret the theme in any way that feels right to you. When planning your costume, please be aware of cultural sensitivities. Appropriating elements or aspects of another race or culture can be disrespectful as we strive for equity and inclusion. Please avoid ceremonial clothing that isn’t part of your culture, religious garb in general, or anything that sexualises another culture’s appearance or dress. DIY outfits are strongly encouraged and our judges will be awarding the best costumes that reduce, reuse, or recycle.