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The Blanc goes on! Philly hosts its fifth Dîner

  • At one of the pickup locations, a hostess waits for a group participating in this year's Dîner en Blanc.

    At one of the pickup locations, a hostess waits for a group participating in this year's Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • The dinner sets are stowed away on buses that will transport Dîner en Blanc guests to the secret location. Participants bring their own tables, chairs, place settings, and food and drink.

    The dinner sets are stowed away on buses that will transport Dîner en Blanc guests to the secret location. Participants bring their own tables, chairs, place settings, and food and drink. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Guests make their way through rush hour traffic once the location for Dîner en Blanc is announced.

    Guests make their way through rush hour traffic once the location for Dîner en Blanc is announced. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Paris on the Parkway is the theme for the fifth annual Dîner en Blanc.

    Paris on the Parkway is the theme for the fifth annual Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Guests set up tables and chairs atop of the art museum steps.

    Guests set up tables and chairs atop of the art museum steps. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Goldie Brown and Mark Beyerle, of Center City, pose for a photo atop the art museum Steps.

    Goldie Brown and Mark Beyerle, of Center City, pose for a photo atop the art museum Steps. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Thousands gather to dine atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Thousands gather to dine atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Guests wave their white napkins to signal the start of this year's Dîner en Blanc.

    Guests wave their white napkins to signal the start of this year's Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Jessica Libor sets up a painter's easel to capture the scene in oils.

    Jessica Libor sets up a painter's easel to capture the scene in oils. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A guest finds a good vantage point to capture a wide angle shot of the dining guests on the art museum steps.

    A guest finds a good vantage point to capture a wide angle shot of the dining guests on the art museum steps. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Guests gather in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for dinner al fresco during the fifth Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

    Guests gather in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for dinner al fresco during the fifth Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Guests bring their own decor along with their dinners.

    Guests bring their own decor along with their dinners. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A toast is made as the sun sets over Center City during Philadelphia's fifth Dîner en Blanc.

    A toast is made as the sun sets over Center City during Philadelphia's fifth Dîner en Blanc. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Courtney Yzzi makes a panoramic photo as she stands between the columns of the art museum.

    Courtney Yzzi makes a panoramic photo as she stands between the columns of the art museum. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • As night falls guests take the opportunity to pose for pictures with a large, illuminated number five.

    As night falls guests take the opportunity to pose for pictures with a large, illuminated number five. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

Dîner en Blanc celebrated its fifth anniversary Thursday night against the iconic backdrop of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps.

Thousands of guests, all donning white attire, set up their picnic spots on and around the steps. The annual secret pop-up dining event was first held in Philadelphia in 2012, inspired by a more than 20-year tradition in Paris.

Spokesman Kory Aversa said he was happy with how it all went down this year and hopes to be able to continue.

No one leaked the location early, as has happened in previous years. Nor was rain an issue, as it was at last year’s edition at the Navy Yard, he explained.

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This year five thousand participants came together to enjoy the food and each other’s company.

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