The DNC Inaugural Gala was a pre-inaugural ball organized by Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford at the D.C. Armory on the eve of Inauguration day, January 19, 1961, and is considered as one of the biggest parties ever held in Washington, D.C. Sinatra recruited many Hollywood stars who performed and attended, and went as far as convincing Broadway theatres to suspend their shows for the night to accommodate some of their actors attending the gala. With tickets ranging from $100 per person to $10,000 per group, with funds benefitting the Democratic National Committee. Performances and speeches included Fredric March, Sidney Poitier, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Bill Dana, Milton Berle, Jimmy Durante, Harry Belafonte, and Sinatra himself.

The Inaugural Concert was held at Constitution Hall earlier that evening. The National Symphony Orchestra performed.