What is the Finnish Dinner Date?
The 'Finnish Dinner Date' is a tourism campaign launched by Visit Finland, the country's official tourism board. It offers 16 single adults a fully-funded, four-day trip to Finland between February 9 and 19, 2027. The goal is to introduce international
travellers to Finland's burgeoning food scene through an immersive group experience. Winners will be split into two groups of eight. One group will explore Helsinki, the seaside capital, while the other will visit Tampere, a vibrant city in the scenic Lakeland region. The trip culminates in a group dinner where the international guests will be joined by local Finnish singles to share a meal crafted by top chefs. Though it's called a 'dinner date,' organizers clarify it's a relaxed cultural exchange, not a formal matchmaking service.
A Viral Trend and Culinary Diplomacy
The inspiration for the campaign comes from a quirky local phenomenon that went viral: the 'sinkkukori', or 'single basket'. In some Finnish supermarkets, shoppers can pick up a pink basket to signal they are single and open to meeting someone. Visit Finland is taking this playful concept to a global audience. The initiative is also a form of culinary diplomacy. While Finland consistently ranks as the world's happiest country, its cuisine is less known internationally than that of its Nordic neighbours. This campaign aims to change that by spotlighting Finland’s official regional tasting menus, which feature local ingredients like wild fish, game, foraged mushrooms, and berries.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The application is open to single adults aged 18 and over from anywhere in the world. The key restriction is that applicants cannot be residents or citizens of Finland. Applications must be submitted individually. Visit Finland has stated it is looking for a diverse group of participants from various countries, backgrounds, and age groups who are comfortable communicating in English. The main qualities the judging panel will look for are authenticity, creativity, and a personal touch in the application video.
How to Throw Your Name in the Hat
The application is a two-step process, and the deadline is fast approaching. All applications must be submitted by November 10, 2026, at 11:59 AM Finnish time. First, applicants must record a short video in English answering the question: 'What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?'. Second, this video must be posted on a public Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube account with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate, and the appropriate Visit Finland account must be tagged. After posting the video, applicants must complete the official form on the Visit Finland website and include the link to their video. Winners will be contacted personally before a public announcement on Visit Finland's social media channels on December 1, 2026.
What the All_Expenses_Paid Trip Includes
The 16 winners will receive a comprehensive prize package. Visit Finland will cover roundtrip flights, private accommodation, all meals, and a full itinerary of scheduled activities for the fourday experience. These activities include cultural sightseeing, traditional sauna sessions, and outdoor excursions designed to showcase Finnish winter. A central feature is the group dinner, where participants will enjoy a tasting menu from a celebrated chef—Adele Kinnunen in Helsinki or Henry Tikkanen in Tampere. The only catch? Winners cannot choose their destination. The assignment to either Helsinki or Tampere is the trip's 'first blind match', revealed only after a winner's place is confirmed.
