Diner en Blanc, the epic all-white dinner party, returns to L.A. Everything you need to know

Diner en Blanc, the fancy, everyone-dresses-in-white pop-up dinner party, will return to Los Angeles on Nov. 4. What that means is that on that day, thousands of people dressed entirely in white will descend on a secret L.A. location, a place only known to attendees when they arrive on buses from meeting points around the city.

The large-scale pop-up dinners started in France 28 years ago. The first Diner en Blanc Los Angeles was held in 2013, when hundreds of people closed down Rodeo Drive and the surrounding streets for a massive dinner party. Last year’s event was held at Pershing Square.

“As with every year, we will be celebrating great friends, great food and drink, and the great city of Los Angeles,� said Diner en Blanc event director Robert Knop. “Since the event date is so close to Halloween, this year’s event will have a masquerade party theme.�

Dressing up is encouraged, but not required. Just remember your outfit has to be all white.

If you’re interested in attending, here’s what you need to know:

Sign up to attend on the Diner en Blanc website. If you’re accepted to participate (there’s a wait list), you pay a fee ($35), then pick a meeting spot in L.A., where you’ll meet your group leader on the big day to board a bus to dinner. The location of the dinner is a secret until you arrive.

You must bring your own white table, chairs and tablecloth. Disposable silverware, plates and cups are not allowed. Don’t even think about bringing paper napkins — they must be cloth. There is an unofficial competition for who can create the most elaborate tablescape. Last year there were grand floral arrangements, candelabras and tiered serving stands; this is serious.

You either bring your own food or buy a picnic basket dinner catered by Patina through the Diner en Blanc website, to pick up at the event. You cannot bring your own liquor. If you want wine (and of course you do), you’ll have to buy it through the website, then pick it up when you arrive. Beer and hard liquor are not allowed.

If it rains, dinner is still happening, so bring an umbrella if Al Roker says it’s going to rain that night. (Probably don’t worry about that one.)

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event. The location is a secret, but we can safely rule out Rodeo Drive and Pershing Square, the two past L.A. dinner locations. Dodger Stadium could be cool, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

I make a great fancy dinner date. Follow me on Twitter & Instagram @Jenn_Harris_

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