Imagine enjoying a unique dinner in the heart of Finland, with all your flights and accommodation covered. The nation known for happiness and quirky campaigns is back with a new offer for 2027, and you could be on the guest list.
What is the Finnish Dinner Date?
Visit Finland, the country's
tourism board, is inviting 16 single people from around the world on an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip in February 2027. The campaign, called 'Finnish Dinner Date', is designed to introduce travellers to the country's unique food culture, which organisers have called 'Europe's last undiscovered cuisine'. The trip culminates in a relaxed group dinner event, where the international guests will dine with local Finnish singles. The concept was partly inspired by a recent local trend where single shoppers use pink grocery baskets to signal they are open to meeting new people.
What Does the Prize Include?
The 16 winners will be split into two groups of eight. One group will travel to the capital, Helsinki, while the other will visit Tampere, a city in Finland's famous Lakeland region. Visit Finland is covering the costs for round-trip international flights, accommodation in a private room, meals, and a full, hosted itinerary of activities for the four-day experience. This includes cultural experiences like saunas, sightseeing, and outdoor activities, all leading up to the main dinner event. Winners will not be able to choose their destination; it will be assigned to them. Travellers are responsible for their own travel insurance and any necessary visa costs.
The Culinary Experience
The centrepiece of the trip is a group dinner featuring one of Finland's official tasting menus. These menus were created by top Finnish chefs to define the nation's cuisine, focusing on local and seasonal ingredients like wild fish, berries, and foraged mushrooms. The Helsinki menu was designed by Chef Adele Kinnunen of Café Savoy, while the Tampere menu was created by Chef Henry Tikkanen of Restaurant Gösta. The dinner is a group tasting experience and not a formal matchmaking service.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The opportunity is open to single adults aged 18 and older from anywhere in the world. The only major restriction is that applicants cannot be citizens or residents of Finland. According to the organisers, they are looking to select a diverse group of participants from different countries, ages, and backgrounds. All communication during the trip will be in English, so applicants should be comfortable with the language. Applications must be submitted individually.
How to Apply and Key Dates
The application is a two-step process. First, candidates must record a short video in English answering the question: 'What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?'. This video must be posted to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and by tagging the appropriate Visit Finland account. For privacy, YouTube videos can be set to 'Unlisted'. Second, applicants must complete the official application form on the FinnishDinnerDate.com website and include the link to their video. The deadline is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 11:59 AM Finnish time (EET, UTC+2). The 16 winners will be announced publicly on December 1, 2026, via Visit Finland's social media channels and will also be contacted directly.
