What if your next romantic adventure came with a free trip to Finland, a candlelit dinner and the chance to meet someone special?
That’s exactly what Visit Finland is offering through its Finnish Dinner Date campaign, which will bring 16 international singles to Helsinki and Tampere for an unforgettable culinary experience in February 2027.
Forget endlessly swiping through dating profiles. This time, the idea is to meet people face-to-face, share delicious food and discover a new country along the way.
Selected participants will receive a fully hosted four-day trip, including travel arrangements, accommodation, activities and dining experiences organised as part of the campaign.
But anyone interested in applying needs to act quickly. Applications close on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 11:59 AM Finnish time.
Finland Wants to Take You on a Date
The campaign is organised by Visit Finland, part of Business Finland, as part of its wider Have Some Finnish initiative promoting the country’s food culture.
Sixteen singles will be chosen for two separate culinary adventures.
Eight international participants will travel to the Helsinki region, while another eight will experience Tampere and the surrounding Finnish Lakeland region.
Each group will be joined by two local Finnish singles for a special dinner featuring one of Finland’s official regional tasting menus.
Rather than a traditional one-on-one blind date, the event will be a relaxed group dining experience, giving everyone an opportunity to talk, enjoy food and make connections.
And even if sparks don’t fly, participants will still get to explore Finland.
What Does the Free Trip Include?
According to Visit Finland, the selected participants will receive an all-expenses-paid four-day experience.
The hosted itinerary includes travel, accommodation, organised activities and meals throughout the visit.
The highlight will be a group dinner date featuring Finnish cuisine created by leading chefs.
Participants won’t know which destination they have been matched with until their selection is confirmed.
The experiences will take place between 9 and 19 February 2027.
Applicants should read the official terms for the precise travel arrangements and any exclusions before entering.
How to Apply for Finland’s Free Dating Trip
The application process has two parts, and both must be completed before the deadline.
Step 1: Record a Video About Your Perfect Dinner Date
Visit Finland wants applicants to answer one question in English:
“What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?”
Your answer can be creative, funny, romantic or personal.
Perhaps you would prepare a homemade meal from your own country, cook a traditional family recipe or serve your favourite comfort food.
The important thing is to explain why that dish would make your dinner date special.
Record your answer in a video that shows your personality.
Step 2: Share Your Video Online
Upload your application video to Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
Use the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tag Visit Finland’s official account:
- Instagram: @ourfinland
- TikTok: @visitfinland.com
- YouTube: @VisitFinland
If you post your video on Instagram or TikTok, your account must be public so the organisers can view it.
Prefer to keep your application private? You can upload the video to YouTube as an unlisted video, meaning only people with the link can watch it.
Step 3: Complete the Official Application Form
After uploading the video, visit the official Finnish Dinner Date application page.
Fill in the required personal details and include the link to your video.
Apply here: Visit Finland — Official Application Form
Make sure your video is accessible and your contact information is correct.
Submitting only the video is not enough. You must also complete the online application form.
Who Can Apply?
The campaign is designed for single international travellers who would like to discover Finland through food and social experiences.
Applicants must enter individually and satisfy the campaign’s official eligibility criteria.
Before applying, check the campaign’s detailed terms, including age requirements, residency conditions, travel availability and other participation rules.
International travellers should also ensure they can meet Finland’s applicable passport and entry requirements.
The campaign is not a dating visa or immigration programme. Being selected for the experience does not provide a Finnish residence permit or a right to live or work in Finland.
Helsinki or Tampere: Where Will the Dates Take Place?
There will be two separate culinary experiences, each offering something different.
Helsinki: Romance in Finland’s Capital
Helsinki will welcome eight selected international singles for a four-day experience exploring the capital’s food culture and winter atmosphere.
The group’s special dinner will feature a tasting menu developed by Adele Kinnunen, head chef at Helsinki’s Café Savoy.
The menu will highlight Finnish regional ingredients and culinary traditions.
Participants will also be joined at dinner by two local Finnish singles.
Tampere: A Romantic Trip to Finnish Lakeland
Another eight singles will travel to Tampere, a city known for its lakeside scenery, sauna culture and growing food scene.
The culinary experience will feature a menu created by Henry Tikkanen, the restaurateur behind Gösta and a chef who has represented Finland at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition.
The Tampere group will also enjoy organised activities and a dinner with two Finnish singles.
The exact dinner locations are part of the surprise experience.
A Dating Campaign Inspired by Finnish Supermarkets
The idea behind Finnish Dinner Date has an unusual connection to a Finnish supermarket trend.
Some Finnish supermarkets introduced pink shopping baskets called sinkkukori, or “single baskets”.
The baskets became a playful way for shoppers to signal that they were single and open to meeting someone while buying groceries.
The idea gained international attention, and Visit Finland has now brought a similar spirit to its culinary tourism campaign.
Instead of hoping to meet someone in the supermarket aisle, participants could get to know each other over a memorable Finnish dinner.
Why Is Finland Giving Away These Trips?
The campaign is about more than romance.
Visit Finland wants international visitors to discover Finnish food, which remains less familiar abroad than many other European cuisines.
Finland’s culinary traditions are closely connected to nature and the changing seasons.
Fresh fish, wild berries, mushrooms, rye bread and locally sourced ingredients play an important role in the country’s food culture.
Through the Have Some Finnish campaign, selected visitors can experience regional dishes while learning about Finnish hospitality, landscapes and traditions.
For the organisers, the hope is that visitors might fall in love with Finnish food, Finland itself or perhaps another person.
When Will the Winners Be Announced?
The application deadline is 10 November 2026 at 11:59 AM Finnish time (EET).
Visit Finland says selected participants will be contacted individually.
The public announcement is scheduled for 1 December 2026 on Visit Finland’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
The four-day trips will take place between 9 and 19 February 2027.
Where to Apply
Interested in taking your chance on a Finnish dinner date?
Visit the official Finnish Dinner Date campaign website to read the full details and eligibility terms.
You can also go directly to the application form.
With just 16 international places available, the campaign offers a rare opportunity to experience Finland in a different way.
Whether it leads to romance, new friendships or simply a memorable winter adventure, Finland is inviting singles to discover that sometimes the best connections begin around a dinner table.
Sources: Visit Finland / Business Finland, official campaign announcement published 20 October 2026 and application information checked 8 November 2026.
Author: Admin
Admin