Finland is offering 16 singles a free, all-expenses-paid trip to experience its unique food scene and culture. Here is a complete guide to the 'Finnish Dinner Date' campaign, from what the prize includes to the crucial winner announcement date.
The Ultimate Dinner Date Experience
Visit Finland,
the country's official tourism board, has launched a unique global campaign called the 'Finnish Dinner Date'. The initiative invites 16 single adults from around the world for a fully-hosted, four-day trip to Finland in February 2027. The goal is to showcase the nation's burgeoning food culture, which has often been overshadowed by its Nordic neighbors. While playfully branded as a blind date, the campaign is not a formal matchmaking service. Instead, it focuses on creating connections through shared culinary and cultural experiences, bringing international travelers and local Finns together around the dinner table. The concept was partly inspired by a local trend where shoppers use special baskets to show they are single and open to meeting new people.
What the All-Expenses-Paid Trip Includes
The 16 winners will have nearly all their expenses covered, including round-trip flights from a major international airport, private accommodation, meals, and a packed itinerary of activities. Participants will be split into two groups of eight. One group will explore Finland's vibrant seaside capital, Helsinki, while the other will visit Tampere, a dynamic city in the heart of the Finnish Lakeland region. The four-day trips are scheduled to take place between February 9 and 19, 2027. Itineraries will feature classic Finnish experiences such as saunas and outdoor activities, alongside city sightseeing. The highlight for each group will be a special group dinner where the eight winners will be joined by two local Finnish singles to enjoy a tasting menu curated by a leading Finnish chef.
How to Apply for the Trip
The application is open to single adults aged 18 and over from anywhere in the world, with the exception of Finnish citizens and residents. The process involves two simple steps. First, applicants must create a short video in English answering the question, 'What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?'. This video must then be posted publicly to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tagging the official Visit Finland account (@ourfinland on Instagram, @visitfinland.com on TikTok, or @VisitFinland on YouTube). For those who prefer privacy, videos can be uploaded as 'Unlisted' on YouTube. The second and final step is to complete the official application form on the Visit Finland website and include a link to the video submission.
Crucial Dates: Application Deadline and Winner Announcement
The most important date for prospective applicants is the deadline: November 10, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. Finnish time (EET). A panel of judges will review the video submissions, looking for creativity, authenticity, and a personal connection to the question. Following the selection process, the 16 winners will be contacted individually. The official public announcement is scheduled for December 1, 2026, and will be made on Visit Finland's Instagram and TikTok channels. Winners must be quick to respond; the campaign rules state that they have just 48 hours to reply and confirm their spot before the offer may be extended to another applicant.
A Proven Strategy for Sharing Happiness
The 'Finnish Dinner Date' is the latest in a series of successful and innovative campaigns from Visit Finland. The country, which has been named the world's happiest for several consecutive years, has a history of offering immersive experiences to share its lifestyle with the world. Previous promotions like 'Rent a Finn' invited travelers to be hosted by local 'happiness guides' to learn about the Finnish connection to nature. Another campaign, the 'Masterclass of Happiness', flew winners to a luxury resort to learn skills related to wellbeing, from nature crafts to food for the soul. These initiatives are designed to go beyond typical tourism, offering a genuine glimpse into the culture and values that define the Finnish way of life.
