Elton John's Oscar Party Raises $10.6M for AIDS Foundation

Star-studded event featured musical performances, auctions, and celebrity guests.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party, a fundraiser for his AIDS Foundation, raised $10.6 million on Sunday night in West Hollywood. The event featured Grammy-winning singer Lola Young as the musical entertainment, and included a cocktail reception, dinner, and an auction where guests bid on items like an Elton John pinball machine, dinner with Elton and his husband David Furnish, jewelry, art photography, Rolex watches, and a painting created live while Elton played piano. Guests at the event included Olympic star Alysa Liu, Dua Lipa, Fran Drescher, Adam Lambert, Melissa McCarthy, and many more.

Why it matters

Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party is a major fundraising event for his AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $125 million over the years to support efforts to end the AIDS epidemic. The high-profile event and celebrity attendance help drive awareness and donations for this important cause.

The details

The event featured a cocktail reception, dinner, and an auction where guests bid on items like an Elton John pinball machine, dinner with Elton and his husband David Furnish, jewelry, art photography, Rolex watches, and a painting created live while Elton played piano. Grammy-winning singer Lola Young provided the musical entertainment for the evening.

  • The 34th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party took place on March 15, 2026.

The players

Elton John

A legendary British singer-songwriter who founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $125 million to support efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.

Lola Young

A Grammy-winning singer who provided the musical entertainment for Elton John's Oscar viewing party.

David Furnish

Elton John's husband, who co-hosted the annual Oscar viewing party.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have a lot of work to do, still, but we're gonna fight on. You know, I said I will never rest until this is finished. Well, I'm not gonna rest until it's finished, and you've been a huge part of that.”

— Elton John

The takeaway

Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party continues to be a major fundraising event for his AIDS Foundation, demonstrating the power of celebrity and high-profile events to drive awareness and donations for important causes like ending the AIDS epidemic.