A little glamour.
A lot of good.
Dress up. Step out. Give back.
One unforgettable evening on the historic Georgetown Square.

The Square is
your ballroom.
What began in 2017 as a night out with friends has become a Georgetown tradition. Ballgown Square Crawl, Inc. brings people together for an evening of dressing up, discovering local businesses, and giving back.
The celebration unfolds throughout the Georgetown Square. We begin at the courthouse at 5 PM for a big group photo, then explore participating shops, restaurants, and bars at our own pace—with exclusive perks for wristband holders along the way.
Shop. Dine. Sip. Explore. Give back.
Help make
the magic happen.
Your donation helps cover the operational costs of producing the Ballgown Square Crawl and bringing this community tradition to life.
Contributions below support Ballgown operations. They are separate from donations to The Key2Free.
Plan your evening.
November 21, 2026 · 5–10 PM · The Georgetown Square · Ages 21+
An evening to remember.
From the first photo to the final twirl, here’s how the night unfolds.
Find your way around ↗- 4–7 PM · Check-in
Pick up your wristband.
Visit our new check-in location in front of Hydrate on the Square. Pickup is open from 4 to 7 PM.
- 5:00 PM · Courthouse
Everyone in the picture.
Meet at the courthouse for our big group photo to commence the evening.
- 5–10 PM · The Square
The Square is yours.
Shop, dine, sip, and explore participating businesses at your own pace. Show your wristband for exclusive offers.
- 5:30–8:30 PM · Courthouse lawn
Bid for a good cause.
Browse the silent auction on the courthouse lawn and place your bids between 5:30 and 8:30 PM.
- 7:00 PM · Deadline
Last call for contest entries.
Register near check-in by 7 PM. A staff member will take your photo and collect your name and information.
- 8:45 PM · Courthouse
A moment in the spotlight.
The top three contestants in each division take part in the final round in front of the courthouse with our MC, Michael Price.
- 9:00 PM · After the dress contest
Time for the raffle.
The raffle takes place immediately after the dress contest at 9 PM.
- 10:00 PM · Until next year
One more memory to take home.
The 2026 Ballgown Square Crawl comes to a close. Thank you for dressing up and giving back with us.
Dress for
your moment.
Three divisions. Your own point of view.
Bring the imagination, the craftsmanship, or the perfectly considered look.
Best Overall
Dress
- Black & White Theme
- Style & Design
- Fit & Finish
Most Creative /
DIY Dress
- Black & White Theme
- Creativity & Originality
- Craftsmanship & Execution
Best Male
Outfit
- Black & White Theme
- Style & Design
- Fit & Finish
What the judges are looking for
Black & White Theme: How clearly and thoughtfully the outfit interprets this year’s theme.
Style & Design: The silhouette, proportions, and coordination of the outfit and accessories.
Fit & Finish: How well the outfit fits and how neatly its details are completed—not the wearer’s body type or the price of the outfit.
Creativity & Originality: The inventiveness of the idea and unexpected use of materials or details.
Craftsmanship & Execution: How skillfully the creative idea is brought to life through construction, alterations, and finishing.
Three judges independently score every contestant from 1–10 on each of three criteria. That’s up to 30 points per judge and 90 points in total. The three highest-scoring contestants in each division advance as finalists.
Enter by 7 PM.
Register near the check-in area in front of Hydrate. A staff member will take your picture and collect your name and information. Your entry is submitted to our judging app, where the judges review submissions throughout the evening.
Final round · 8:45 PM.
The top three in each division take the spotlight in front of the courthouse with MC Michael Price. 2026 prizes will be announced.
Your night.
Your route.
The crawl takes place throughout the Square, with participating businesses as your stops. The official 2026 map will bring the locations and wristband offers together in one place.
Check-in & wristband pickup:
In front of Hydrate · 4–7 PM
Group photo & contest finals:
Courthouse · 5 PM photo / 8:45 PM finals
Good things
are taking shape.
Participating stops and their exclusive offers will appear here when the map is ready.
A few
good answers.
What happens if it rains?
The Ballgown Square Crawl takes place rain or shine. Check the forecast before you head out and plan your outfit, footwear, and rain gear accordingly.
Where should I park?
We recommend the parking garage at 502 S. Main Street, or the large public parking lot at 321 W. 8th Street, across from the Georgetown Public Library near Forest Street. Both are a short walk from the Square.
Can children attend?
This is a 21+ event, including for guests who choose not to drink. Alcohol is a prominent part of the evening at participating stops around the Square, so please arrange childcare and enjoy a grown-ups’ night out.
Can I get a refund?
Yes—refund requests are accepted through November 20, 2026, the day before the event. Email info@ballgown.org to request a refund. Refunds are not available on event day or for no-shows.
Is there one event venue?
The crawl happens throughout the Georgetown Square. Meet at the courthouse at 5 PM for the group photo, then explore participating businesses at your own pace. Wristband pickup is at our new check-in location in front of Hydrate, 4–7 PM.
Do I have to wear black and white?
No—the theme is optional for attending. For dress-contest entrants, Black & White Theme is one of the scored criteria in every division.
How do I get my wristband?
Ticket sales are not open yet. The initial price will be $45. Event-night pickup is in front of Hydrate on the Square from 4–7 PM on November 21. Shipping details and the fee will be announced before sales open.
How do I enter the dress contest?
Register near check-in by 7 PM. A staff member will take your photo and collect your details for the judging app. The three highest-scoring contestants in each category advance to the 8:45 PM final round at the courthouse with Michael Price. See the contest divisions and criteria.
What does my donation support?
Website donations go to Ballgown Square Crawl, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to help cover the operational costs of producing the event. Ticket sales go toward our 2026 beneficiary, The Key2Free.
How do the business perks work?
Show your Ballgown wristband at participating businesses for their exclusive offers. The official 2026 map will list the stops and perks.
Can my business take part?
There is no participation fee. We ask for an exclusive, meaningful perk for wristband holders. Email info@ballgown.org to discuss your offer.