Mad Hatter Ball 2026: Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom
|
Start:
October 16, 2026 5:00 pm End:
October 16, 2026 9:00 pm Location:
Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs |
Mad Hatter Ball 2026: Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom is ESSA’s annual fundraising gala held at the Historic 1886 Crescent Hotel
in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Guests are invited to dress as mermaids, sea creatures, mythical ocean beings, and underwater royalty while enjoying an art auction, the legendary Hat Contest, music by DJ Testube, and an evening supporting arts education through the Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA).
On Friday, October 16, 2026, the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel will sink beneath the waves as the Eureka Springs School of the Arts presents the 24th Annual Mad Hatter Ball: Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom.
Beneath the waves lies a legendary kingdom lost to time, and this year’s Mad Hatter Ball invites you to uncover its secrets. Arrive as a mermaid, sea serpent, siren, shark, leviathan, or a creature entirely of your own imagination as you journey into the Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom.
One of ESSA’s most anticipated annual fundraisers, the Mad Hatter Ball brings together artists, collectors, makers, and supporters for an unforgettable evening featuring an art auction, the legendary Hat Contest, dancing, and music by DJ Testube. More than a costume party, the event celebrates the transformative power of art while raising vital support for ESSA scholarships, educational programming, artist residencies, and creative opportunities for artists of all ages.
Event Details
The 24th Annual Mad Hatter Ball: Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom
Friday, October 16, 2026
5 – 9 PM
Historic 1886 Crescent Hotel
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship is a wonderful way to support the arts while connecting your business or organization with one of ESSA’s signature annual events. Every sponsorship directly supports our mission and helps ensure that artists of all ages continue to have access to inspiring workshops, scholarships, artist residencies, and creative experiences.
Choose the sponsorship level that’s right for you. Each includes event tickets along with recognition and benefits as our way of saying thank you for supporting ESSA.
Sponsorships become available on July 17, 2026.
Sponsor Deadline: August 10, 2026
Sponsorship Levels
The Starfish
$250
- 2 Event Tickets
- Full Online Auction Access
- Logo on Website
- Social Media Recognition
The Dolphin
$500
- 4 Event Tickets
- Full Online Auction Access
- Logo on Website
- Social Media Recognition
- Sponsor Gift
The Shark
$1000
- 6 Event Tickets
- Full Online Auction Access
- Logo on Website
- Social Media Recognition
- Sponsor Gift
- Logo in Newspaper
The Whale
$2500
- 8 Event Tickets
- Full Online Auction Access
- Logo on Website
- Social Media Recognition
- Sponsor Gift
- Logo in Newspaper
- Special Sponsor Gift
Sponsorship Benefits
Every sponsorship includes recognition on the event website, social media, and during the Mad Hatter Ball. As sponsorship levels increase, so do the benefits, including additional event tickets, sponsor gifts, and expanded promotional opportunities.
If you have questions about sponsorships or would like to discuss a custom sponsorship opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Questions Before You Dive In?
Need more information before becoming a sponsor? Reach out to ESSA Event Coordinator Emily Hartley with any questions about sponsorship opportunities or the Mad Hatter Ball.
Contact ESSA Event Coordinator Emily Hartley at emily@essa-art.org, or call the ESSA office at 479-253-5384.
Tickets
Tickets go on sale August 12th, 2026.
Gather your treasures, craft your most extraordinary hat, and prepare to journey beneath the waves.
The kingdom awaits.
Why Attend the Mad Hatter Ball?
Mad Hatter Ball is one of the premier arts fundraising events in Northwest Arkansas, bringing together artists, collectors, makers, community leaders, and supporters for an immersive themed experience unlike any other. Guests enjoy creative costumes, local art, live entertainment, and opportunities to support arts education in the Ozarks.
Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and auction bid placed helps ESSA provide scholarships, classes, workshops, artist residencies, and creative experiences that strengthen the arts community in Eureka Springs and throughout the region.
Can't Attend the Ball?
Even if you can’t journey to the Sunken Kingdom, you can still make a meaningful impact. Your donation helps support ESSA’s mission to provide arts education, scholarships, artist residencies, and creative opportunities throughout our community.
Help keep creativity afloat and support the arts with a gift today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mad Hatter Ball is ESSA’s annual fundraising gala supporting arts education, scholarships, artist residencies, and creative programming at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts.
Mad Hatter Ball 2026 will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The event takes place at the Historic 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The 2026 theme is Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom, an underwater fantasy inspired by Atlantis, mermaids, sea creatures, sirens, sea serpents, leviathans, and legendary ocean kingdoms.
Tickets go on sale August 12th, 2026.
Sponsorship opportunities become available on July 17, 2026.
The sponsorship deadline is August 10, 2026.
Proceeds from Mad Hatter Ball support ESSA scholarships, educational programs, artist residencies, community outreach initiatives, and arts experiences for students and artists of all ages.
In the meantime, if you are feeling nostalgic or just love a good hat moment, visit our blog to relive Mad Hatter Ball events from years past. You will find photos, highlights, and plenty of whimsy from celebrations that have taken us everywhere from the stars above to places yet unexplored.
A Cosmic Celebration of Art, Imagination, and Whimsy On Saturday, October 17th, the 23rd Annual Mad Hatter Ball lifted off […]
In the haunted halls and ballrooms of the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA) […]