Kristen Bell, star of ‘The Good Place’ and ‘Frozen,’ to host 2026 KultureBall gala

Birmingham nonprofit KultureCity announced that actress Kristen Bell will host KultureBall 2026. The annual gala brings together national celebrities, musicians and philanthropists to raise funds for sensory accessibility programs worldwide.

Here are the details on the upcoming event, the star-studded lineup and how KultureCity continues to impact the Birmingham community.

Kristen Bell hosts KultureBall 2026 in Birmingham

Known for her roles in “Frozen,” “The Good Place,” “Nobody Wants This” and “Veronica Mars,” Kristen Bell will take the stage as the official host for this year’s gala. KultureBall serves as KultureCity’s flagship fundraising event, celebrating inclusion and acceptance for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities.

Bell is hosting alongside “Nobody Wants This” co-star and “Succession” star Arian Moayed and a comedian known for “Community” and “The Hangover,” Ken Jeong.

The funds raised during the evening support global programs, including:

• First-responder sensory training
• Workplace inclusion initiatives
• The construction of sensory rooms in stadiums, arenas + cultural venues across five continents

Event details + musical headliners at Boutwell Auditorium

This year’s black-tie gala takes place in downtown Birmingham at the historic Boutwell Auditorium. In addition to host Kristen Bell, multi-platinum rock band Goo Goo Dolls will headline the evening’s musical entertainment.

• Date: August 22, 2026
• Location: Boutwell Auditorium | 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Dress code: Black Tie
• Title sponsor: Shipt

How KultureCity drives international sensory accessibility from Birmingham

Founded in Vestavia Hills, KultureCity has grown from a local nonprofit into the world’s leading organization for sensory inclusion. To date, the organization has certified more than 7,000 venues globally and distributed over 1.1 million sensory bags to help individuals navigate overstimulating environments.

Last summer, KultureCity acquired the Powell Steam Plant in downtown Birmingham for $11 million. KultureCity aims to transform the historic Powell Avenue Steam Plant into “the world’s first center that will provide inspiration, information and innovation for both the disability community and the community at large,” according to an Instagram post.

Sponsorship packages for the event range from table hosts to premier partnerships, with local and national corporations joining to support the cause. For more information on tickets or corporate sponsorships, visit the official KultureBall website.