Diner en Blanc Philadelphia Set for August 20th, Registration Process Opens, Phase 3 Lottery Announced

From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret,” Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia returns this summer for an unforgettable evening filled with food, wine, fashion, culture and music. On Thursday, August 20, 2015, 4,300 guests will celebrate and re-purpose an unexpected public space that is revealed only moments before the start of the très chic picnic. Event registration is open now for last year’s registered members and continues through the Phase 3 lottery for new participants (July 20-23rd). Potential guests can add their name to the waiting list at philadelphia.dinerenblanc.info/register by 11:59PM on July 17, 2015.

Part mystery tour, part pop-up feast and part je ne sais quoi, Diner en Blanc Philadelphia is a magical evening that celebrates and re-purposes public space. Bystanders will witness groups of guests all dressed in white gathering at specific rallying points all across the city. Guided by volunteers, these groups will then converge on a unique and unexpected setting, travelling by foot, bus and/or public transportation. Guests will bring their own gourmet feast, table, chairs and table setting. Over the course of the evening, they will eat and celebrate amid music, entertainment and dancing.

The evening is filled with visually breathtaking moments including the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner and the lighting of sparklers to let guests know they are now free to mingle and dance. When at the end of the evening the trumpet sounds, guests pack up all of their belongings, pick up all their litter and head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.

Potential guests interested in attending the 2015 edition for the first time can sign up on the waiting list atphiladelphia.dinerenblanc.info/register. The final day to add yourself to the waiting list in time for the 2015 lottery is July 17, 2015 at 11:59PM. As of today, more than 7,500 interested parties have added themselves to the waiting list this year alone. The full registration schedule is as follows:

** Phase 1, now open – Registration opens for last year’s registered guests

** Phase 2, starts July 15 – Registration opens for friends sponsored by Phase 1 members

** Phase 3, opens July 20–23 – Lottery software selects names from waiting list in random order; new participants selected by lottery can register using a code they are emailed within 36 hours; after 36 hours the code will expire and other names will be selected by the software

In order to maintain the uniqueness of the event, as well as staying true to the long-standing traditions, all guests must observe certain rules:

** Guests must dress from elegant and white. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed male and female.
** Table settings must be white.
** Guests should meet at their assigned departure location and be escorted to the final destination by Diner en Blanc Philadelphia volunteers.
** Guests should be prepared to attend the event rain or shine.
** All guests must leave the event location as clean as when they arrived. Guests are required to leave with their belongings, including leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring:

** A table, two white chairs, a white tablecloth, stemware and dinnerware. Prizes will be awarded for best table decorations.
** A picnic basket with fine food and drink. Food should be brought in reusable and/or recycled containers.
** Champagne or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.

A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up at the site, will be also available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia website during the initial ticket registration. This year’s official caterers are Garces Events, Di Bruno Bros. Catering and Luke Palladino Catering.

Apothic Wines is proud to be the official wine sponsor of the 2015 US Diner en Blanc series, including  Diner en Blanc Philadelphia.

For full details on the event’s rules and regulations, please visit the official website:international.dinerenblanc.info/about. To keep up to date on event announcements, follow Diner en Blanc Philadelphia on Facebook, dinerenblancphl on Instagram and @debphl on Twitter (hashtags #DEBPHL15 #dinerenblanc).

For all official videos of Dîner en Blanc around the world, visit www.youtube.com/user/DinerEnBlanc.