The World’s Chicest Secret Dinner Party Returns To NYC This September—With A French Culinary Legend Involved

On Thursday, September 19th, Dîner en Blanc, the wildly popular, all-white pop-up dinner party, will once again transform a secret NYC location into an unforgettable open-air soirée. With over 4,000 guests expected, this year’s edition promises to be one of the most dazzling yet–and for the first time, it will feature Michelin-starred French chef Daniel Boulud, curating gourmet picnic baskets available exclusively to attendees! Originally founded in Paris and brought to NYC over a decade ago, the French-inspired Dîner en Blanc has since sparked a global movement. Now held in 140+ cities across 40 countries, it has become the culinary and cultural event of the year, drawing food lovers and fashionistas to unexpected public spaces for one magical night. And while the experience is global, it all started here–New York is the city that launched the phenomenon in the U.S., and every year the anticipation builds to see where the event will pop up next. Over the past two years, the event has transformed public spaces like Lincoln Center, Brookfield Place, and Bryant Park into vibrant, all-white wonderlands. And while each city adds its own flair, Dîner en Blanc’s magic is universal: it’s a celebration where strangers become friends, food becomes art, and style becomes expression. The event has amassed a cult following, with nearly two million people on waitlists worldwide hoping for a chance to attend. Here’s How It Works: -------------------- Attendees will wear their finest head-to-toe white attire (fashion-forward flair encouraged!) and bring with them a folding table, two white chairs, and a white tablecloth. You’ll be asked to meet at a designated departure point, kept undisclosed until the last minute, where you’ll be escorted to the secret location by a volunteer. You can choose to pack your own gourmet picnic or pre-order a catered meal. Alcohol can’t be brought in, but wine and champagne can be reserved in advance if desired. Boulud’s picnic baskets, available by preorder through the Dîner en Blanc website, are prepared by his team and rooted in the soulful tradition of French cuisine with a contemporary NYC twist. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary opportunity for attendees. Boulud stated: > Dîner en Blanc always brings a burst of French summer feasts to cities around the world in a celebration of friendship, fashion, and food. 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 à la Française! What to Expect in 2025: ----------------------- As always, the elegant soirée will treat guests to a night of celebration with live music and dancing, with a sea of dazzling tabletops, floral accents (this year’s theme is Blooming Elegance, with guests invited to use floral décor to elevate every detail, from fashion to tablescapes), and thousands dining under the stars. The signature napkin wave signals the start of dinner, while sparklers light up the night, marking the beginning of dancing and mingling. At the end of the evening, guests pack up their tables, decor, and dinnerware, leaving no trace behind. Want to Attend? --------------- To join this year’s event, you can register now online. But don’t wait–spots are extremely limited, and NYC’s edition is one of the fastest to sell out. Here’s what you’ll need: * A white outfit (from elegant to avant-garde) * A table, two white chairs, and a white tablecloth * A gourmet picnic (or reserve one from Chef Boulud) * To be ready for a magical, unforgettable night under the stars Take a peek at last year’s festivities below: Source: https://secretnyc.co/diner-en-blanc-nyc-2025/