If there's one thing that never goes out of style, it's a fabulous party – and every generation has its own version. There are the grand costume galas of the mid-twentieth century; the wild, glittering parties of 1970s New York; the champagne-glugging glamour-fests of the 80s and 90s, and the irreverent London events that have really hit their stride in the last 10 years.

In honour of the new year, we've rounded up 20 parties that we'd most like to have attended over the last six decades. To make our list, each party had to qualify as The Place To Be for the famous and stylish – and each had to be completely of the moment. During our research we found that certain guests cropped up again and again; they included perennial party animals Andy Warhol, Cher, Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Madonna. Of course, every city has its scenesters, and it wouldn't be a party without them.

Click through to the gallery above to see which events made the cut and who was on the all-important guestlist.