New York hosts secret dîner en blanc with Parisian belle époque theme

Thousands of diners dressed in white gathered at a secret location in New York for the annual Dîner en Blanc on Thursday, October 1.

Participants first met at designated meeting points before being led to the venue, where they set up tables, chairs and white tablecloths for an outdoor dinner.

This year's theme, 'Une Soirée Parisienne - La Belle Époque', gave the evening a distinctly French feel.

Guests dressed up and decorated their tables with flowers, candles and elegant tableware, transforming the public space into a large open-air dining room.

The tradition began in Paris in 1988 and has since spread to cities around the world. In New York, the venue is kept secret until the last moment, adding an element of surprise to the annual gathering.