Forget swiping right. Visit Finland is offering 16 lucky singles a fully-funded trip for a unique 'Finnish Dinner Date' experience in February 2027. But you need to act fast, as the application window closes on November 10, 2026.
What is the Finnish Dinner Date?
The 'Finnish Dinner Date'
is a new campaign by Visit Finland, the country's tourism board, designed to introduce the world to its unique food culture. The initiative will fly 16 selected singles from around the globe to Finland for a four-day trip packed with culinary and cultural activities. The experience is inspired by a local Finnish trend called 'sinkkukori', where shoppers use special baskets to signal they are single and open to meeting new people. The highlight of the trip is a group dinner where international guests will be joined by local Finnish singles to enjoy a tasting menu created by one of the nation's top chefs. It's less of a formal matchmaking service and more of a chance to connect with new people over a shared love for food and travel.
What Does the Trip Include?
This is an all-expenses-paid opportunity. Visit Finland will cover round-trip flights to Finland, accommodation in a private room, all scheduled meals, and a fully hosted itinerary of activities for the four-day experience. The 16 winners will be split into two groups. Eight will travel to the seaside capital of Helsinki, while the other eight will visit Tampere, a vibrant city in Finland's Lakeland region. Participants cannot choose their destination; it will be assigned by the organizers. The trips are scheduled to take place between February 9 and 19, 2027. Beyond the main dinner event, the itinerary will include sightseeing, outdoor activities, and, of course, traditional Finnish sauna sessions.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The application is open to single adults aged 18 and older from anywhere in the world. The key restriction is that applicants cannot be citizens or residents of Finland. The campaign is looking for a diverse group of participants from various countries, backgrounds, and age groups. Applications must be submitted individually, and candidates should be comfortable communicating in English, as that will be the language of the application video and the trip itself.
How to Apply Before the Deadline
The deadline is extremely tight: all applications must be submitted by 11:59 AM Finnish time (EET, UTC+2) on November 10, 2026. The process involves two mandatory steps. First, you must create and post a short video in English answering the question: 'What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?'. This video needs to be uploaded to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tagging Visit Finland's official account (@ourfinland on Instagram, @visitfinland.com on TikTok, or @VisitFinland on YouTube). Your social media profile must be public for the entry to be visible, though YouTube allows for an 'unlisted' submission. After posting the video, you must complete the official application form on the Visit Finland website and include the link to your video submission.
Tips for a Strong Application
A panel of judges will review the video submissions, looking for creativity, authenticity, and a personal connection to the question. Visit Finland has emphasized that they are looking for original video and audio of the applicants themselves. Rather than focusing on professional production quality , concentrate on showcasing your personality and genuine interest in the experience . Your answer to the dinner date question is a chance to tell a story about yourself and what flavours you find meaningful . Previous successful campaigns from Visit Finland , such as 'Rent a Finn', have focused on authentic connections with nature and local life , suggesting that a down - earth and sincere approach could be beneficial . Winners will be contacted personally before a public announcement on Visit Finland 's social media channels on December 1 , 2026 .
