VIP Oscar Parties: An Insider's Guide to Vanity Fair, Elton John and the Most Super Exclusive Soirees

We tell you what goes down at these invite-only bashes

By Marc Malkin Feb 20, 2013 11:01 PMTags
Liam Hemsworth, Miley CyrusAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Solving world peace is probably easier than snagging a ticket to Hollywood's most exclusive Oscar parties.

Even so, that doesn't mean what happens at these parties stays at these parties.

Sure, everyone knows about the Vanity Fair bash, but it's not the only A-list soiree that takes place over Oscars weekend. Here's your guide!

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Night Before

The Beverly Hills Hotel gala benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

VIP Cred: The host committee is ridiculous. This year's list includes Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Cameron Diaz, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman, among many others.

Likely Guests: See VIP cred above.

Fun Fact: Leave the tuxes and gowns at home. The invite reads, "Casual Attire."

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Sir Elton John and David Furnish

The viewing and after party gala in West Hollywood Park benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

VIP Cred: Tickets cost about $3,000, this year's menu is by Gordon Ramsey and the live auction usually includes the chance to attend the Vanity Fair party with Sir Elton.

Likely Guests: Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, Chase Crawford, Miley Cyrus, Neil Patrick Harris and Kate Beckinsale.

Fun Fact: The "Rocket Man" singer and his husband had a separate area at last year's bash where their closest friends could visit with their then 14-month-old son Zachary.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Vanity Fair

The magazine's legendary party has been going for 20 years.

VIP Cred: A strict door policy at the Sunset Tower Hotel keeps crashers out. Arrivals are staggered with VF giving out precise times for guests to arrive—and don't even think of showing up a minute sooner.

Likely Guests: Oprah, Madonna, Elton John, Seth MacFarlane, Natalie Portman, Sandra Bullock, Tom Ford, Vera Wang and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Fun Fact: The stories from inside this party are endless, but two years ago, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber chose the VF bash to officially confirm they're a couple by…walking the carpet together!