Imagine a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Finland, where the highlight is a blind dinner date with strangers. That's exactly what Visit Finland is offering to 16 single travelers from around the world. The catch? You won't know whether you're flying to Helsinki or Tampere until your spot is locked in.

The Finnish Dinner Date is a culinary adventure that runs from February 9 to 19, 2027. Eight winners will explore the capital, Helsinki, with its waterfront charm and architectural gems. The other eight will head to Tampere, a city on the edge of the Finnish Lakeland, surrounded by forests and lakes, and famous for its sauna culture. Each group will be joined by two local Finnish singles for the main event, a group dinner in a surprise setting.

This isn't just a free meal. The trip covers accommodation, meals, and a hosted program of activities. The dinners will feature official regional tasting menus, crafted by chefs Adele Kinnunen in Helsinki and Henry Tikkanen in Tampere. Think creamy salmon soup, fried vendace, and Tampere's black sausage with lingonberry jam. These are dishes that most visitors couldn't name before, but Finland wants to change that.

The concept draws from a Finnish custom called the sinkkukori, or "single basket." In some grocery stores, shoppers can grab a pink basket to signal they're open to meeting someone new. It's a subtle, respectful way to break the ice in a country that values personal space. The dinner date takes that idea to a whole new level.

This is part of Visit Finland's "Have some Finnish" campaign, which aims to make Finnish food a reason to visit, not just an afterthought to the scenery. Earlier in 2026, locals across Finland voted on their regional dishes, and top chefs turned those into four official tasting menus. Two were already served to a lucky group in September. The Helsinki and Lakeland menus are the final two, and they're being unveiled with this singles trip.

Finland has been named the world's happiest country for nine years straight, and this campaign is another attempt to share that joy. But if you're thinking of applying, there are a few rules. You must be a single adult who is not a Finnish citizen. The application process has two steps. First, record a short video in English answering this question, "What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?" Post it on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tag Visit Finland's account on that platform. Instagram and TikTok profiles must be public, but YouTube videos can be unlisted if you prefer privacy.

Second, fill out the online form on Visit Finland's website and include the link to your video. The deadline is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 11:59 am Finnish time. Winners will be announced on December 1, 2026, on Visit Finland's Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Romance isn't guaranteed, but you'll definitely leave with a full stomach and a new appreciation for Finnish cuisine. If you're not ready to commit to a blind date, maybe check out Helsinki's secret island for a more private culinary escape. Or, if you're intrigued by Finland's other quirky campaigns, you might enjoy a festival with no music. And if you're worried about travel restrictions, Finland's stance on Russian tourists might be worth a read.