Le Dîner en Blanc was started in Paris in 1988. An exclusive pop-up picnic where all guests wear white (hence blanc), the dinner has become a worldwide sensation every summer since, New York City included. The event is a thrilling throwback and a novelty, with an added dose of mischief.
Le Dîner en Blanc returns to New York City for the 13th time on Thursday, September 19th. More than 4,000 guests will attend, replete with white dresses, suits, hats, and table settings, in an iconic outdoor location that has yet to be disclosed. The bright white, ostentatious clothing, and fine food and drink make quite a sight to behold and create an elegant, unforgettable evening.
This year Le Dîner en Blanc will add Michelin-starred French chef Daniel Boulud, widely celebrated as one of America’s leading culinary authorities and restaurateurs, to the affair. For the first time, Boulud will curate two picnic baskets (prepared by his team) for guests who order through Dîner en Blanc online.
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Photo: Eric Vitale.
“Dîner en Blanc always brings a burst of French summer feasts to cities around the world in a celebration of friendship, fashion, and food,” said Chef Boulud. “As a French New Yorker, I’m honored to prepare a festive picnic basket for this magical evening. It will certainly be the largest and chicest gathering of fête a la Francaise!”
Also, for the first time Le Dîner en Blanc will take its signature glamour to new heights with its first-ever international theme, Blooming Elegance. Drawing inspiration from the timeless beauty of flowers, guests are invited to use floral décor to elevate every detail, from fashion to tablescapes.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil. 2023 Dîner en Blanc.
Le Dîner en Blanc has flourished across the globe, taking place in dozens of cities worldwide. Each location contributes its own culture and culinary voice. More than two million people are on waiting lists globally.
Photo: Eric Vitale. 2023 Dîner en Blanc.
For the event, thousands of people dressed entirely in white descend on a landmark public space with everything they need for an elegant soirée in tow, including folding table and chairs, gourmet picnic food, fine china, silverware, and tablecloth. They first meet in groups of between 100 to 300 people at designated spots in the city and follow group leaders to the appointed location. The exact location remains a secret until the moment guests arrive, creating an air of mystery and excitement. It’s a magical moment in time—from different points throughout each city, thousands arrive at the same moment, at the same place.
Over the course of the evening, the diners eat and celebrate amid live music and dancing. Many spend weeks in advance planning their menus. Guests also use the venue to express their unique fashion and design style; the often elaborate and creative outfits, fantastical hats, and decorative table settings are always a fabulous spectacle.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil. 2023 Dîner en Blanc.
Visually breathtaking moments include the waving of thousands of cloth napkins to mark the beginning of the dinner, as well as the lighting of sparklers to let participants know they are now free to mingle. When the trumpet call sounds at the end of the evening, guests pack up their crystal, dinnerware, and tables, pick up all their litter and head into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.
New York was the first city in the U.S. to host a Dîner en Blanc in 2011. The 2024 extravaganza was held in Union Square.
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Eric Vitale Photography.
As per New York alcohol regulations, guests cannot bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or Champagne must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.
A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.
Eric Vitale Photography.
To learn more about the 2025 dinner click here.
The extra challenge—besides gathering a fabulous all-white ensemble—is finding your own picnic table, chairs, and food, which you’ll be required to transport to the undisclosed location. This is no slapdash meal on a blanket in the park. You must bring silverware and dishes and glasses for your meal. The table must be square, and your chairs and tablecloth and accompanying trash bag must be white. Once you get in as a guest, Diner en Blanc sends guests various communications and one of them has a link to stores where tables and chairs with the exact dimensions required can be purchased. Upon arrival, you’ll set up tables and chairs yourself. Some go the extra mile with birdcages, LED lights, and candelabras to decorate their tables!
It’s an amazing spectacle, with people decked out in light-up headdresses, huge hats, and capes. In recent years, there was also a CoverGirl station where guests could touch up their makeup. After the dinner comes the dancing. You and your friends can party the night away to live music and top off the evening with sparklers provided by the organizers. It’s a fabulous celebration of life in New York, fine food, and community.
As the party winds down, gather your trash, supplies, and tables, and leave your picnic space spotless.
Eric Vitale Photography.
Visit newyork.dinerenblanc.com for more information.
