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Miami is gearing up for one of its most glamorous nights of the year as Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and InterContinental Miami celebrate three decades of granting wishes with the 30th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. Taking place Saturday, November 1, the milestone “Tricennial” event will feature Grammy Award-winning artist Marc Anthony as the evening’s headliner.
The multi-platinum global superstar will perform a private 45-minute concert for guests, presented by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation. This marks Anthony’s second appearance at the prestigious gala, following his 2015 performance for the event’s 20th anniversary. His return for the 30th anniversary is being billed as a full-circle moment for one of Latin music’s most celebrated icons.
Over the past 30 years, the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball has raised more than $47 million and granted over 8,700 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses across Southern Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The annual black-tie gala has become one of the city’s most anticipated philanthropic events, combining star power, luxury, and purpose under one roof.
Anthony, known for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, will perform some of his biggest hits, including “No Me Ames,” “I Need to Know,” and “You Sang to Me.” With a career spanning more than 4 decades, the Puerto Rican-American singer has earned multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and over 108 No. 1 Billboard hits. His music has amassed more than 15 billion streams across platforms, making him one of the best-selling Latin artists in history.
This year’s gala will embrace an opulent “Cleopatra” theme, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood. Guests will be transported to a world of vintage glamour and cinematic mystique, setting the stage for a night of celebration and generosity. Leading the festivities are the “Three Amigos”: Glenn Sampert, General Manager of InterContinental Miami and Gala Host; Shareef M. Malnik, Gala Chair and Chairman Emeritus of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Actress Gabrielle Anwar, Malnik’s wife, will serve as Gala Co-Chair.
After Anthony’s headlining performance, the night will continue upstairs at the exclusive afterparty, the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub, this year themed “Pyramid.” The post-gala celebration will feature Strangelove – The Depeche Mode Experience, performing classics like “Enjoy the Silence” and “Personal Jesus.” DJ Affect will return to spin alongside Master of Ceremonies Buster Cox. The afterparty is produced by Maxwell Blandford, Clif Loftin, Nicholas Zazzera, and Gus Muñoz, and is sponsored by Sonrisa Puerto Rican Rum.
For three decades, InterContinental Miami has played a vital role as the Ball’s founding partner and in-kind donor, helping Make-A-Wish Southern Florida serve children and families across 22 counties, including the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions.
With Marc Anthony at the helm of this year’s entertainment, the 30th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet — a night where Miami’s elegance meets a legacy of compassion, hope, and music.
Marc Anthony at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami; 305-394-8474, ext. 317; wish.org/sfla.
