This Thanksgiving, our Chief Experience Officer reflects on his gratitude for the play that changed his life!
This now-obscure holiday was once bigger than Thanksgiving...and the 4th of July!
Learn more about the Dîner en Blanc, a pop-up culinary event that brings thousands of New Yorkers to a surprise dining destination!
Dust off your spiffiest white shoes, polish up your white china, and break out a white tablecloth, the Dîner en Blanc returns to New York City this fall! Dîner en Blanc is a pop-up culinary event where thousands of diners—dressed in all-white attire—gather at a secret location for an evening of food, fashion, and fun. This year, the exclusive dinner party will take place in New York City on September 19th, and Untapped New York readers have the rare opportunity to win a pair of tickets!
Only a handful of volunteer guides know the secret location in advance. In past years, the dinner has taken over Hudson River Park, Governors Island, Lincoln Center, the cobblestone streets of the Meatpacking District, and, most recently, Union Square. To maintain the surprise until the last minute, all of the thousands of guests are given an initial rendezvous point. Once assembled at this gathering place, the guides lead everyone to the dining destination.
Left and Right Photos by Jane Kratochvil, All photos Couresty of
Unlike most spontaneous pop-up events, this extreme picnic requires some planning. Diners can spend weeks putting together the perfect all-white outfit. Organizers say “elegance and originality” are key to perfecting your fit, which must be all-white from head to toe. It’s not unusual to see a guest in a towering Marie Antoinette wig, a feathery fascinator, or a fancy top hat.
Top Left & Middle Photos by Eric Vitale, Right Photo by Emily Hanmerberg
Creativity doesn’t end at the outfit. Diners are also encouraged to design elaborate (again, all-white) tablescapes. In the past, we’ve seen lit-up floral arches, giant balloons, and elegant candelabras. New for 2025, Dîner en Blanc has adopted an international theme: Blooming Elegance. Guests are invited to draw inspiration from the timeless beauty of flowers and use floral décor to elevate every detail, from fashion to tablescapes. (We suggest picking up some artificial flowers from the last American fabric flower factory, M&S Schmalberg, in the Garment District for some authentic New York flair!)
All guests are required to bring two chairs, a table, and a white tablecloth. The tablescape is complete with your stemware, white dinnerware, and of course, your meal. Diners can assemble their own gourmet feast or reserve a picnic basket in advance to be picked up on the night of the event.
Another first this year, renowned Michelin-starred French chef Daniel Boulud will curate two exclusive picnic baskets (prepared by his team) available for order through Dîner en Blanc. The baskets include yummy bites such as green gazpacho, smoked salmon, garlic focaccia, crudites, and more, as well as delectable treats including raspberry shortcake and orange blossom madeleines. There is a vegetarian option.
Once all the tables are set up and each guest has taken their seat, everyone waves their napkin in the air to signal the start of the festivities! After everyone is full from their delicious meals, the night continues with dancing, mingling, and admiring the outfits and tablescapes of fellow attendees. At the end of the night, everything gets packed up and taken away. The site is left as if nothing ever happened.
So, how do you get an invite to this secret soiree? You’ll need an invitation from a previous attendee, or you can sign up for the Phase 3 (Fan List) waiting list. Tickets go on sale for Phase 3 guests on Thursday, August 7th at 1:00PM. Space is limited!
The first Dîner en Blanc took place in 1988. It was a small gathering of friends in the Bois de Boulogne assembled by François Pasquier upon his return to France after living abroad. To find each other in the park, they all wore white. Each year the dinner party grew larger and larger and now the Dîner en Blanc is celebrated in 75 cities across the globe, 42 cities in the United States alone. Where do you think it will pop up in New York City this year?
Next, check out The Oldest Restaurants in Manhattan
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