This September, thousands of diners will don all white attire and head to an undisclosed location, picnic baskets and tableware in hand. Dîner en Blanc, the iconic Parisian pop-up, will return to the capital on September 21 for its signature monochromatic soiree.
At its root, the Dîner en Blanc is what organizers call a “Parisian-inspired urban picnic.” Guests bring their own picnic meal (complete with wine or Champagne), tables and chairs, and table settings for an evening of al fresco food, music, entertainment, and dancing.
And one rule reigns supreme: Guests are to dress head-to-toe in their finest white clothing, no exceptions. Even the table settings are expected to be crisp white, making for a striking visual that is undeniably Instagrammable.
Guests certainly bring their all. In previous years, headdresses, ballgowns, top hats, and elaborate tablescapes have all made appearances.
Individual entertainers — everything from violinists to oil painters — mingle through the crowds to perform face-to-face with tables throughout the night. New this year, there will be musicians on stage and a DJ to kick off the dance party.
“We try to change things up each year to make Le Dîner in Blanc fresh for returning guests while keeping the essence of the true French picnic as the core of this iconic event,” said Linda Davis, president of The Davis Group and co-producer of Le Dîner en Blanc Washington. “This event has become the urban picnic of the year in Washington, DC, that features a social gathering where fashion, good food, and most importantly good company meet.”
To maintain the event’s air of mystery, the location remains a secret until the very last minute. Attendees head to an assigned departure location, and an event volunteer escorts them to the site.
Over 4,000 guests are expected to attend this year’s event. For those who aren’t keen on packing in their own settings or meals, there are tables and chairs available to rent. A catered picnic basket also will be available for purchase.
Dîner en Blanc originated in Paris, France, in 1988. Since then, the concept has grown, and over 120 cities in 40 countries have hosted events. Event design and production company The Davis Group has hosted the Washington, DC, event since 2014. This year, Events DC joined in on the festivities.
The late-September date is a new change, according to a news release, in response to guest requests for cooler weather.
Registration is in three stages: Phase one, for guests who attended in 2023, opens on July 18. Phase two, for those “sponsored” by last year’s attendees, opens July 23. Phase three opens on July 25, for those who signed up on the “Fan List.”
Feature image by Eric Vitale
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