Diner en Blanc in Vancouver

Diner en Blanc is a formal summer outdoor dinner event in Vancouver where thousands of people dress up in white and dine together at a secret location.

It’s like a massive ultra-fancy picnic where participants bring their own table, chairs, food, cutlery and dishes.

In 2022 the event happened at Jack Poole Plaza on Thursday, August 18th. As of early June, dates and details for 2023 are to be confirmed.

The Diner en Blanc Outdoor Dining Event

Diner en Blanc is an event that takes place in around six dozen cities around the world. The Vancouver edition has been running since 2011 and usually takes place in August. Participants register in advance and as many as 4,500 participants turn out.

The location remains a secret until just before the event. At that time registered guests receive notice of where the event is taking place, grab their stuff and then head to their dinner location.

In 2016 the Vancouver event was held at Concord Pacific Place near BC Place Stadium and False Creek, and the year before it was at Canada Place. The 2017 event was at two locations in Coal Harbour – at Harbour Green Park and Devonian Park. In 2018 it was at VanDusen Garden. In 2019 it was at George Wainburn Park. The 2022 event took place at Jack Poole Plaza. In 2023 the event is at …, well, it’s unlikely that anyone will know until the day of!

Science World and Diner en Blanc — Diner en Blanc at Concord Pacific Place

How Does Diner en Blanc Work?

To participate in Diner en Blanc you have to apply, pay a membership fee (if it’s your first time going), and register for the dinner. If you register, attendance is mandatory, regardless of the weather. If you don’t show up one year (even if it’s raining), then don’t expect to attend again in the future.

Registered guests meet at a given time at a designated location, usually with their chairs, table and picnics. From there they head en masse to their secret venue via public transit (like the SkyTrain or SeaBus) or by chartered bus. Attire must be formal and all white.

Picnic materials typically need to include two white chairs, a square-shaped folding table, gourmet picnic delicacies (of any colour) and a white tablecloth. Participants also need to bring a garbage bag (for their post-dinner trash and leftovers), plus their own utensils, dishes and drinking glasses. For those who don’t want to prepare their own food there are catered baskets available for purchase in advance.

Registration for Diner en Blanc is always for two people, which is why the list includes the mandatory two chairs. Guests are not permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages. They may, however, purchase wine at the event (but ordered a few days in advance).

How to Attend Diner en Blanc

To participate in a Diner en Blanc event you need to be invited and then pay a membership fee. To be invited you either need to (1) know the organizers and be invited by them, (2) be sponsored by someone who is already a member or (3) apply to attend by signing up for the waiting list and hope spaces are still available after pre-invited guests finish registering.

Once you attend a Diner en Blanc event you will be invited to return the following year (provided that you obeyed all the rules).

How Much Does Diner en Blanc Cost?

Diner en Blanc in Vancouver costs about $50 to $60 per event if it’s your first time. In 2023 admission starts at $51 per person plus a $14 fee.

Tips and Advice

Below are some things to keep in mind regarding the event.

TIP #1: Don’t forget – Diner en Blanc events take place rain or shine. If it’s raining and you want to be invited back again another year, you must still attend!

TIP #2: Buy a white umbrella or white raincoat if the weather looks iffy.

TIP #3: Don’t take spaghetti or anything messy for your picnic. Remember, you’re wearing all white!