Finland is offering selected international singles a chance to combine travel, food and romance through Finnish Dinner Date, an experience designed to bring strangers together over candlelit dinners and regional cuisine. The initiative invites 16 participants to explore the Nordic country's food culture while meeting fellow singles in a relaxed setting.
The experience will take place between February 9 and 19, 2027, with travel, accommodation and meals covered for selected participants. The initiative offers an alternative to dating apps, bringing people together through shared meals, local traditions and conversations.
Finland, frequently recognised for its high levels of happiness, is building on the popularity of its earlier grocery-store dating trend, in which singles used pink shopping baskets to signal that they were open to meeting someone.
What Is the Finnish Dinner Date Experience?
The programme will accommodate eight selected international travellers in Helsinki and another eight in Tampere, located in Finland's Lakeland region. Two local Finnish singles will join each group for dinner.
Participants will discover their destination after their participation is confirmed, adding an element of surprise to the experience.
Food is central to the programme, with menus highlighting Finnish culinary traditions and locally sourced ingredients. Depending on the season and region, these may include freshwater fish, berries, mushrooms and game.
In Helsinki, the tasting menu will be curated by Cafe Savoy head chef Adele Kinnunen. Restaurateur Henry Tikkanen will oversee the menu in Tampere.
The experience is not a guaranteed matchmaking programme. Organisers have made no promises that participants will find romantic partners, but the trip offers an opportunity to make new connections and experience Finnish culture.
How to Apply for Finland's Free Blind Date Trip
Interested applicants must record a video in English introducing themselves and answering one question: what would they serve on a dinner date, and why?
Applicants must then post the video on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube using the specified campaign hashtags. Instagram and TikTok accounts must be public, while YouTube videos may be uploaded as unlisted.
The next step is to complete the application form on the official Visit Finland website and include the video link.
Important dates:
- Application deadline: November 10, 2026, at 3:29 pm IST.
- Selected participants announced: December 1, 2026.
- Experience period: February 9–19, 2027.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be single, at least 18 years old, and neither Finnish citizens nor Finnish residents.
Prospective participants should carefully review the official terms, including requirements relating to filming consent and visa applications, before submitting their applications.
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