The event started in Paris 24 years ago, and now collects approximately 15,000 white-clad picnickers each year. It's been held everywhere, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Trocadéro, Place Vendôme, Versailles, Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Champs-Élysées, and the Place de la Concorde.
Since then, it has spread to cities around the world, from Vancouver, Boston and Mexico City, to Singapore, Brisbaine and Barcelona. This past year it debuted in New York City, and 30,000 people signed up for the 1,000 available spots.
Here's how it works: An hour before the designated time, you discover the location, then head over, dressed in white. You set up your table, wave your white cloth napkins to signal the start, enjoy dinner, light sparklers, dance, clean up, then all leave at the same time.
Registration is first open to members and friends of the organisation. Then come people recommended by those in phase one. Then spots are filled by people who have signed up on the waiting list. If you have a connection and can move into phase two, do. If not, click here to register for the London dinner. You have until the 10th of September to do so, and it's first come, first served.
So get busy.
Sarah Western Balzer
more stories from Sarah Western Balzer
Sarah Western Balzer is the editor of HITC Life. She grew up in Tampa, Florida, and lived in Washington, DC and New York before moving to London, where she lived for seven years. She now lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Her background is in the music industry, lifestyle relocation, and journalism. If you'd like to contribute to HITC Life, and work in banking or a field related to finance, please drop her a line (sarah.balzer@hereisthecity.com).
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