Winter Escapes: Now Departing For...

By Erin Byers Murray

"It's wild that there's always a scene," notes one anonymous Palm Beach insider. "It's a little like Disneyland—real but not real." We asked the Hub's reigning social mavens to single out the season's top events.

2/9 The American Heart Association's Boca Raton Heart Ball. "Hearts in Flight" is this year's theme; "A-list attire," the dress code. Past regulars include noted Nantucket do-gooders Tiffany Spadafora and George Cloutier. $400 per person; Boca Raton, 561-394-0170, americanheart.org.

2/16 Dana-Farber's Discovery Ball. Hosted by big Boston philanthropists Michele and Howard Kessler, this is the event of the season, drawing Hub VIPs like Paul and Phyllis Fireman, who get access to posh day-before receptions and day-after brunches. $750 per person; Palm Beach, 561-833-2080, dana-farber.org.

2/17 The American Ireland Fund's Palm Beach Celebration. The ultraexclusive affair takes place at the Kessler residence, where a select group, including New England Design Hall of Famers Lee Bierly and Chris Drake, celebrates "wine, food, and the art of Irish provenance." $2,500 per person; Palm Beach, 212-213-1166, irlfunds.org.

2/21–2/24 The South Beach Wine and Food Festival. This four-day party brings together some 20,000 "friends" for tastings, dinners, seminars, and auctions. Blue Ginger fans can join superstar Boston chef Ming Tsai at his golf tourney. Starting at $35 per person; Miami Beach, 877-762-3933, sobewineandfoodfest.com.

2/22 The American Lung Association of Florida's Jewels of Life Ball. The theme for this year is "The Land Down Under," so be on the lookout for Aussie-flavored cocktail attire, imported wines, and New Englanders such as art collectors David and Rhoda Chase. $400 per person; Palm Beach, 561-659-7644, lungfla.org.

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Go on to the next page to find out what to wear down there...