PHILADELPHIA – Last night, I joined 5,000 attendees for the annual Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia, a secret pop-up picnic that transformed the historic grounds of Girard College into a scene straight out of The Great Gatsby. The massive gathering, now in its twelfth year, celebrated French elegance and Philadelphia community with a "100 Years of Gatsby" theme, marking the centennial of the novel's publication.
The location, a mystery until the moment of arrival, was particularly fitting. Girard College was founded through an endowment from Stephen Girard, a French-born immigrant who became a renowned Philadelphia philanthropist. His legacy of community-building mirrors the core mission of Dîner en Blanc. As my guest and I set up our table, we were surrounded by a sea of white attire, with many embracing the Roaring 20s theme through flapper dresses, feathered headbands, and boater hats.
The event's co-host, Natanya DiBona, remarked on the immersive atmosphere. “Guests felt like they stepped through the pages into one of Jay Gatsby’s iconic parties,” she said. “With cigarette girls, vintage car rides, and jazz played by Parlour Noir and Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society Band, you no longer felt like you were in 2025.”
From my vantage point, the production was extensive. Themed activations were scattered across the lawn, including croquet games and photo opportunities with performers in vintage baseball jerseys. National partner Chambord hosted tastings of its black raspberry liqueur, while guests enjoyed either their own packed picnics or pre-ordered meals from Feast Your Eyes Catering.
The energy remained high throughout the evening, with DJ Nico Oso spinning tracks between live band sets. The night concluded with the event’s signature tradition: a dazzling display of thousands of sparklers held aloft by guests, illuminating the campus and signaling the end of the magical evening. As the lights faded, attendees packed their belongings, leaving the grounds as pristine as they found them, carrying with them a unique memory of community and celebration in the heart of the city.
