This weekend, Pennsylvania's political ruling class decamps to New York City for the annual Pennsylvania Society Weekend, a jam-packed series of cocktail parties, receptions and fund-raisers centered at the Waldorf Astoria. Much has changed since last year's events, as Republicans will be strutting the victors' strut rather than plotting from the back corner. PoliticsPA (which does have a conflict of interest in party-pimping, as its owners throw the Governor Mifflin Society event) offers a preview of the weekend including the following list of must-attend parties:

Christine Toretti’s Holiday Toasting: The kick-off event is one of the most exclusive tickets in town.  Face it.  You’re probably not getting in.

Republican State Committee’s Commonwealth Club Luncheon: It’s always the go-to event for Keystone State Republicans.  But even with special guests Tom Corbett, Jim Cawley and Pat Toomey, look for the annual luncheon to be just as forward-looking as it is celebratory.  The GOP already has its sights on Bob Casey’s seat in 2012, so don’t be surprised to see some early jockeying among the would-be candidates.

Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania: A couple Pennsylvania Society stalwarts mentioned the annual BCAP gathering – and all cited it because of the potential star power.  Larry Bowa and Jeremy Schaap have dropped by in the past.  And with the Buchanan Ingersoll ESPN Zone party off this year, the BCAP event only stands to gain in clout (and would-be freeloaders).

CHOP’s Children’s Champions Reception: One veteran attendee called CHOP’s annual reception “one of the only meaningful receptions” all weekend because they give an award.  Governor Rendell and Congressman Charlie Dent will be honored this time around.

Cozen O’Connor’s Holiday Reception at 21: When asked which events would be the most sought-after tickets this year, one Keystone State veteran immediately told us, “Anything Charlie Kopp is involved in.”  (Kopp’s response: “I don’t believe that.”) Another said that any event at 21 is worth going to, because the food is that good.  Cozen’s holiday reception, it seems, is the best of both worlds.

PMA’s Annual Seminar and Luncheon: According to one veteran Pennsylvania insider: “At a time before a lot of the other parties sprung up, if you were anybody in Pennsylvania politics, you got invited [to the PMA seminar].  And if you were not invited, you aspired to get invited the following year.”  The Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association has been hosting its shindig for the better part of fifty years, so it’s the granddaddy of all Pennsylvania Society events and still among the most exclusive.

The site's full list of events is here.