Diner en Blanc 2018

Overview

Dîner en Blanc is a swanky outdoor dinner party that sees punters don their finest white attire and descend upon a top-secret venue, rain or shine. Conceived in Paris almost 30 years ago, the flash-gather event is now held in over 70 countries, attracting upwards of 10,000 people.

The 2018 edition returns for its fifth year on Saturday 24 March in a mystery, open-air location. Previous whiteout events have been held at Wynyard Quarter, Britomart and Pah Homestead. The destination is revealed at the eleventh hour before diners (en blanc) gather at specific assembly points throughout the city and make their way with a personal escort via public transport or by foot.

Diners are required to provide their own picnic fodder as well as a table, white chairs, white dinnerware, proper stemware, cutlery, tablecloths, the whole shebang. There is a catered picnic basket option for those who do not wish to pack their own. Fine wine and champagne will be on hand, as will live music and a truckload of sparklers.

When the night draws to a close guests are obliged to pack up their leftovers and belongings and disappear into the night in hopefully still respectable looking white clothing. Keeping the event's exclusivity, those keen to attend need to have attended previously, will need to know someone in the know or sign up to the waiting list.

For full details, visit auckland.dinerenblanc.com.