Single and ready to mingle? Finland is offering a free trip for a blind dinner date

Your next romantic adventure could take you to Europe, with a four-day getaway, unforgettable food experiences, and the chance to meet someone special.

Swiping right isn’t the only way to find romance. Finland is giving singles around the world a chance to meet someone new over a candlelit dinner, with an all-expenses-paid European getaway thrown into the mix.

Through its Finnish Dinner Date campaign, the country’s national tourism organization, Visit Finland, is inviting 16 international singles to spend four days discovering Finnish food, culture, and possibly a romantic connection.

The selected participants will travel to either Helsinki or Tampere between February 9 and 19, 2027, with accommodation, travel, dining, and a hosted itinerary covered by the organizers. The highlight? A blind group dinner date with local Finnish singles.

What’s included in the Finnish dinner date?

Eight international participants will be selected for each destination, bringing the total to 16 winners. Each group will be joined by two Finnish singles for a dinner featuring one of the country’s official regional tasting menus.

The Helsinki experience will feature a menu developed by Adele Kinnunen, head chef of Café Savoy, while the Tampere dinner will showcase the work of Henry Tikkanen, a celebrated Finnish chef who has represented his country at the Bocuse d’Or culinary competition.

Besides dinner, participants will enjoy a four-day itinerary introducing them to local traditions, regional attractions, and Finnish cuisine. Their assigned destination will remain a surprise until their participation is confirmed.

The concept takes inspiration from Finland’s sinkkukori, or “single basket,” trend, in which shoppers carry pink grocery baskets to signal that they’re open to meeting someone.

Who can apply?

The campaign welcomes single adults aged 18 and above living outside Finland, including eligible applicants from the Philippines. Participants must apply individually and be available to travel during the scheduled February 2027 dates.

Applicants should also review the campaign’s eligibility requirements, travel documentation rules, and other conditions before submitting their entries.

How to audition for Finland’s free dinner date

There’s no complicated audition process. Interested singles simply need to complete two steps through Visit Finland’s official campaign.

Create a short video in English. Answer the question: “What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?” Applicants can get creative with their responses and share something that reflects their personality.
Post the video on social media. Upload it to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube with the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate. Tag the official account for the platform: @ourfinland on Instagram, @visitfinland.com on TikTok, or @VisitFinland on YouTube.
Complete the online application. Visit the official Finnish Dinner Date application page, fill out the required information, and include the link to your video.

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Instagram and TikTok entries must be publicly accessible. Applicants who prefer a little privacy can upload their videos to YouTube as Unlisted, allowing organizers to view them through the submitted link without making the videos publicly searchable.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline is November 10 at 11:59 AM Finnish time, equivalent to 5:59 PM in the Philippines. Late applications will not be considered.

Selected participants will be contacted personally, with the public announcement scheduled for December 1, 2026, through Visit Finland’s official Instagram and TikTok accounts.

For singles who enjoy travel, food, and meeting new people, the campaign offers a unique opportunity to explore Finland without shouldering the trip’s expenses. Finding romance isn’t guaranteed, of course, but discovering a new destination and sharing a memorable meal might be worth the adventure.

Photos from Pexels