Love It or Hate It, Dîner en Blanc Will Return for Its Sixth Year

There's a preview party happening at The Shambles in Headhouse Square this Tuesday.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia/Facebook

Despite inspiring mixed reactions from our city’s particularly curmudgeonly residents, Dîner en Blanc will return to Philadelphia for a sixth BYO-everything, white-dress-only pop-up outdoor meal this summer.

And on June 6th, you can get a taste of what’s to come.

Organizers Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran will throw a preview party for past attendees and potential guests at The Shambles in Headhouse Square from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The free preview party is open to potential guests age 21 and older. Attendees will have the chance to meet the organizers, sample cuisine from culinary partners like caterer Feast Your Eyes and women-powered artisan cheese subscription Collective Creamery. The preview party will also feature a tablescape competition based around this year’s theme, “Historic Philadelphia: Events That Shaped Our City.”

As those who have followed (or hate-followed) Dîner en Blanc over the years know, the annual event, which takes place in cities across the globe, consists of an exclusive list of guests and a secret location that’s revealed only minutes before the dinner begins. Guests — in pairs only, no singles — are required to wear all white and bring their own table, chairs, plates, utensils, and decor to the event.

They can also BYO food and drink or order a meal from one of the event’s rotating culinary partners. Once the dinner starts, live music and entertainment is provided. Past secret locations include Logan Circle, the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, JFK Boulevard, south Broad Street, and the Navy Yard.

The number of guests that will be admitted to this year’s nearly all invite-only event, as well as information on how to enter the registration lottery to get a coveted invitation, will also be revealed at the preview party. (You can also get on the highly competitive waitlist — now by registering here.)

Dîner en Blanc [Foobooz]