Save the Date | 5th Anniversary

For the last four editions, the sceneries, the laughter, and the friendships that have grown out of our shared experiences have truly made Le Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque the culinary event of the year. And we can't wait to toast this milestone with you! As per our tradition, this season's spectacular chic picnic will take place in a new secret location in our city. Can you guess where?  Of course, we’ll keep it under wraps until the very last minute, but we'll tell you when...

So Save the Date for Thursday, September 13, 2018!
 

With the sole purpose of sharing a unique experience in good company, Le Dîner en Blanc was launched by François Pasquier 30 years ago in Paris, France. After spending a few years abroad, Pasquier returned to Paris and wanted to organize a picnic to reconnect with old friends. The concept was simple: "Bring a meal, and bring a new friend." Seeing as his garden was too small for the gathering, he told his friends to convene at the Bois de Boulogne and to dress in white, so they could find each other. This friendly gathering grew over time and soon became to be known as Le Dîner en Blanc. The original event in Paris now assembles more than 10,000 guests and has featured some of the city’s most prestigious sites such as Le Pont des Arts, Château de Versailles, Champs-Élysées, Le Louvre Pyramid, and the Palais Royal Garden. Since the founding of Dîner en Blanc International in 2012, the event has quickly spread to 30 countries and 80 cities around the world.
 

The evening begins as guests converge at meeting points all over Albuquerque. From there, they are led by a Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque volunteer to an iconic outdoor destination, whose location remains secret until the very moment they arrive. Required to dress entirely in white, guests are enlisted to bring a picnic basket, table, chairs, and table settings. With the city as a backdrop, guests enjoy music, entertainment, dancing, and new friends upon arrival and throughout the evening. Seventeen hundred guests are expected to attend the 2018 Le Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque Fifth Anniversary event.

It's thanks to loyal friends like you who, over the years, have helped us get to this milestone. Please note that your guest from last year is not Phase 1. This year promises to be more elegant than ever, with new friends sharing in the experience! As a returning member, you will receive a priority invitation to register during member and will not receive an automatic invitation. If you would like them to accompany you this year, you will be able to sponsor them—or another friend, family member, or colleague! Le Dîner en Blanc is so memorable because it brings friends together—old and new—which is why sponsoring others makes everyone's night more special!

Invitations occur in three stages. Each invitation is for two people:

• Phase 1 is for returning 2017 members who attended the previous year’s event. Please note that your guest from last year is not a member and will not receive an automatic invitation. If you would like them to accompany you this year, you will be able to sponsor them—or another friend, family member, or colleague!
• Phase 2 is for new members who are referred by Phase I attendees.
• Phase 3 is for guests who register on the waiting list via the official website https://albuquerque.dinerenblanc.com/register.

Once places are reserved and confirmed, and to keep with Le Dîner en Blanc’s unique tradition, guests are asked to observe the following key rules:

• Once confirmed, guest participation is mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. This is a rain or shine outdoor event.
• The dress code is simple: elegant, head-to-toe white outfits. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting: all white and no disposable place settings!
• The location is a secret. Guests meet at their selected departure location and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque volunteer to the undisclosed site.
• Guests are required to take all of their belongings, leftovers and garbage, leaving the secret location as pristine as they found out.

Guests must bring

• A table, two white chairs, white tablecloth, and white cloth napkins.
• A picnic basket with food, proper stemware and white dinnerware.
  • A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. The e-store will be available once registration begins.
• As per venue, City of Albuquerque and state alcohol laws/regulations/ordinances, guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy wine or Champagne, must reserve online through the Le Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque e-store. Guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.
• Valid Driver’s License or State ID (all guests must be over 21).

Le Dîner en Blanc – Albuquerque gratefully acknowledges Sandia BMW, Lilly Barack and Inspire Salon as official local partners of the 2018 event as well as Luxury Retreats and Sofitel as the 2018 Le Dîner en Blanc US national partners.

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