what is
diner en blanc?
Diner en Blanc is more than an event! It’s a cultural movement that empowers friends to celebrate their shared passions for life, food, fashion, and community—with a pinch of mystery and a large serving of spontaneity.
Elegantly dressed, guests arrive at a secret location for a chic picnic en masse. Over the course of the evening, guests savor a meal, dance, reconnect with the finer things in life, and make new traditions, as they appreciate their city’s beauty and the night’s magic.
KEY THINGS TO KNOW
How to attend
Already a member? Click “Attend Le Diner en Blanc” on your city’s page or “sign in” to access your account. That’s where all the exclusive details will be revealed!
New to the event? Sign up for the Fan List (Phase 3) to receive updates and your invitation when tickets go on sale. Simply click on “Attend le Diner en Blanc” on the page of the city of your choice, then enter your name and email address.
Registration – Registration happens in three waves:
Phase 1 – Last year’s members and/or friends of the organizers
Phase 2 – Friends “sponsored” by members in Phase 1
Phase 3 – Everyone on the Fan List
Tickets must be purchased in pairs (two people per table).
Sitting with your friends – When registering, select a departure point/Table Leader and make sure your friends choose the same one, so you’ll be seated at the same table.
Getting to the secret location – Guests meet up at designated departure points throughout the city, which you’ll see when registering. From there, a volunteer Table Leader takes you to the venue.
What to wear – All white, of course! Think crisp linen, dreamy lace, bold accessories. This is your moment to shine. (Gold, silver, or nude accents are allowed – but keep it mostly en blanc!
What to bring – According to Diner en Blanc tradition, guests bring a folding table and two white chairs*, a white tablecloth and cloth napkins, tableware for two, a gourmet meal* for two, and a garbage bag. The most creative guests go all-out with decor!
Want more information? See the FAQ section.
* In many cities, it’s possible to rent tables and chairs, either included in the ticket price or via the online store. You can also order a meal prepared by a local caterer. Everything will be provided on site, so you won’t have to carry a thing!
Moment by Moment
Le rendez-vous
Guests meet up all around the city with their tables, chairs, and picnic baskets in tow. Except for a few volunteers who will lead everyone to the event site, no one knows where they’re going…
Arrival
Guests reach the secret location in a stunning wave of white. They come from all over! In just 20 minutes of organized chaos, thousands of guests set up their tables, chairs, and place-settings with great excitement and determination. Dinner is almost served!
The Napkin Wave
Once the scene is set, guests wave their white cloth napkins in the air, in unison, to signal that Le Diner is about to commence.
Le Dîner
Guests savour their carefully prepared meals and drink in this magical time and place with friends, new and old. Everyone remains seated until the meal is over.
Le Dîner
Guests savour their carefully prepared meals and drink in this magical time and place with friends, new and old. Everyone remains seated until the meal is over.
End of dinner
Guests light up the sky to signal the end of their elegant dinner and the rest of the night. It’s time to mix and mingle and enjoy the live entertainment!
Let's Dance!
Everyone is up from their seats, taking pictures and getting out on that dancefloor!
Let's Dance!
Everyone is up from their seats, taking pictures and getting out on that dancefloor!
Au revoir
Guests leave the scene, as though it was all a dream, with nothing but their belongings and memories to last a lifetime—or at least until next year!
How can I host a Diner en Blanc event in my city?
Celebrate your city in style! As Diner en Blanc continues to grow, connecting people in communities around the world, we’ve made it our mission to guide and support passionate individuals who want to organize their very own elegant event in their city. We bring our tradition and philosophy to the table. You bring your creativity and local flair!
Organizing a large-scale event like Diner en Blanc requires a great deal of commitment and preparation. We generally require a minimum of 6 months to help you organize and execute your event. It’s important to know that Diner en Blanc International does not charge local hosts to become part of our network or to use our trademark; however, hosts must accept the responsibilities associated with taking on a large-scale event and commit to respecting the guidelines and specifications intended to preserve the spirit and the values of Diner en Blanc.
To apply to host a Diner en Blanc event in your city, please click below. Diner en Blanc International will schedule a conference call with all qualified teams to continue the application process and offer more information about organizing an event. Please note that we will only consider applications that contain all the requested information.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
