Planning dates in the summer can be as simple as stepping out your front door and enjoying the warm weather with a loved one. But figuring out date night ideas for winter? That can be a little more difficult. After all, it’s hard to get in the mood for a romantic date night when it's dark at 4:30 p.m. and the temperature is below freezing. Even if the weather is fairly mild where you live, it can sometimes be hard to find the energy for a date night — especially when you'd rather be cozied up in the comfort of your own home. But whether you're planning a unique date or you're looking for a romantic movie to watch on the couch, there are so many ways to make things fun, romantic, and special. After all, figuring out how to spend some special time with your special someone shouldn't be overwhelming. It should be fun.
In reality, though, there are just a few simple factors that go into planning a memorable, entertaining, and romantic date night: Intention, creativity, and imagination. You’d be surprised how much more fun a regular homemade dinner or a movie night can be with just a little more planning and purpose behind it. Why not create a blanket fort in your living room? Or buy a projector and play movies in the backyard? Maybe you could cook a dinner that’s entirely based on a cuisine you and your partner have never tried, but have always been curious about. The bottom line is a tiny bit of planning can change a regular, everyday evening into something that feels more magical. This is especially true of winter dates, which are always just a little bit cozier than those any other time of year. Whether your dream date involves a romantic night in, a gourmet meal, or a fun activity, here are 50 ideas that will help you get closer to your significant other.
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If you and your partner are big readers (or even if you’re not), starting a book club with just the two of you is an awesome way to create a built-in date night after a few weeks or so. You can pair the book discussions with a nice meal and it’ll feel more intentional, romantic, and special than a regular date night.
2
Have a cooking competition.
Have you ever wanted to see who’s really the better cook in your partnership? Create a date night around cooking. Divide up the appetizer, main dish, sides, and dessert between the two of you, and then rate the dishes accordingly. You could even include a prize to make things even more fun.
There's just something romantic about getting lost in shelves upon shelves of books. Challenge your partner to choose a book they think you'll love and vice versa, or show each other your favorite books of all time. Grab some drinks or brunch after to complete the day.
4
Wrap some presents together.
Making a date night out of wrapping presents is a great way to make an otherwise annoying task a little more bearable. Turn on a favorite holiday movie, get out all the supplies, and pour some mugs of hot chocolate or glasses of wine for good measure. Matching holiday pajamas encouraged.
5
Have a board game marathon.
Bring out your favorite board games, turn on some fun music, put out a snack platter and some drinks and have a cozy day indoors playing your favorite games.
6
Have a hot chocolate competition.
See which of you can craft the best-tasting (or most creative) hot chocolate by setting out a tray full of hot cocoa supplies and seeing who makes the best concoction. Maybe the winner gets to choose where you go or what you'll do on the next date night.
Whether you build a fire at home or you locate some restaurants and bars with real, working fireplaces in your area, it'll always be a choice that makes date night more romantic.
8
Have a black-and-white movie day.
There’s something romantic about black-and-white, vintage movies. They’re probably not your first pick on most nights when you turn on the television, so create a date night around watching some together.
Road trips can be romantic if you plan them right. It’s the best way to see a new town or environment, plus, you can stay in the safety of your vehicle. Find a town an hour or so away and sight-see from the comfort of the front seat. Romantic playlists encouraged, obviously.
Cold weather camping is possible – it just takes some planning. Pack up your warmest sleeping bags and parkas and drink hot chocolate and roast marshmallows fireside for a date night you’ll both never forget.
There's just something about the beach during winter that makes it that much more romantic. There are less people around, for one, so it's a little more private. It's also chilly enough to bundle up and do a little cuddling with your loved one. Whether you bring a picnic, make a bonfire, or both, this could be a great winter date if you happen to live near a beach area.
12
Create an at-home movie theater.
If there’s a new movie you’re dying to stream at home, build a special date night by making a movie theater in your own house. Pop movie theater-style popcorn, buy some snack packs of candy, pour some sodas (or something stronger) into cups with lots of ice, and dim all the lights. You’ll be surprised how much better it feels than any regular night.
With a little planning, exercising together can be a date, too! Bundle up and go on a scenic jog or bike ride to get your hearts pumping and have fun together.
14
Get dressed up, just because.
If you’re missing dressing up for date night, pick a night to do it and stick to the plan no matter what. Whether you wear your fanciest outfits out to a new restaurant or club, or you just sport them at home, it'll be worth it.
15
Create a vision board.
Odds are you and your partner have spent a lot of time planning your futures and goals together. Why not have a date night where you build vision boards for those goals? Use a stack of magazines and cut out images that will help you manifest your dream life.
16
Take a walk down memory lane.
You know that box in the closet with every single memory of your relationship? The one with those old photos, movie stubs, and other mementos you haven’t looked at in years? Have a date night where you go through all of that — maybe even turn it into a scrapbook while you’re at it.
Grab your warmest coat and head to the zoo for a fun, romantic, and active date. Just make sure you don't choose a day where rain or snow is on the forecast.
18
Go to the dog park or beach.
If you and your partner share a furry friend, research dog parks in your area (or dog beaches) and bring along your pup to have some fun with them. All three of you will have a blast.
19
Create a winter wonderland.
It doesn't have to be the holidays for you to decorate. Stream string lights from every surface, cover bannisters and shelves in garland, and even get some fake snow. Dance around to music and bake cookies if you want to make the date even more fun.
Another outdoor date option is to stop by a winery and do an outdoor tour or tasting. Throw on a scarf and hat and sip some red wine by an outdoor fire pit if the winery offers it (many do).
21
Go to a concert – even from home.
Seeing your favorite artists live in concert may not always be easy or possible, depending on where you live. Luckily, there are other options if you just get a little creative. Try queuing up footage of iconic concerts on YouTube and make a night of watching them from the comfort of your couch for a cozy, at-home date night. It'll be a nice change from browsing Netflix or watching your favorite shows.
22
Go to the farmer's market.
Farmer’s markets are often open year-round and are a great way to take a walk, grocery shop from local vendors, and find new and exciting products together. It’s also a good way to learn a little more about your community.
23
Have an outdoor picnic.
Try planning a romantic picnic for a sunny, warmer winter day at a local park. Getting some vitamin D together is always a good idea, especially during the darker months of winter.
24
Try a new sport together.
Have you ever played a sport with your significant other? Maybe you grew up playing basketball but have never played a 1-1 game of HORSE with your partner. Doing things like this is not only fun, but can also be a good way to incorporate a bit of nostalgia in your day-to-day.
25
Go to a drive-in movie.
Drive-in movies are a classic cold-weather date night, and they’re more popular than ever. Even if you don’t think there’s one in your area, it’s worth searching anyway, because you’ll probably be surprised at the options.
26
Take a virtual art class.
Whether you're a Michelangelo or you've never picked up a brush, taking an art class is a fun way to get your hands dirty and flex your creative muscles. Plus you'll leave the class with a keepsake to commemorate your fun night. There are a ton of virtual classes available so you can take part in the comfort and safety of your own home — plus, that means there’s an open bar.
This one might sound a little boring on paper, but it’s a great activity if you and your partner love to learn, or frequently enjoy seeing speakers or lectures. You and your significant other can each choose a TED Talk that really resonated, and then watch together. After both talks, discuss your opinions on each speech and what you gained from it. You can talk about what you learned over coffee, wine, or a nice meal.
28
Take a virtual mixology class.
If one of your favorite pre-pandemic activities was checking out the best or newest bar in town, consider taking a virtual mixology class at home. Cozymeal has a ton of different themed classes if you need some options to choose from.
29
Go on a walk through the park.
The trees might be bare and there won’t be many flowers in bloom, but the cool temps will have the park feeling romantic and practically empty, making it a private escape for just the two of you.
30
Learn a dance together.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn to dance but have been afraid to do it in front of a live instructor, why not take a dance class together at home? Turn on a YouTube tutorial for a certain dance, put on your dancing shoes, and have fun with zero fear of embarrassment.
31
Try a new winter sport.
Hit the slopes on your own, or take a lesson and learn how to snowboard or ski.
32
Watch your favorite sport together.
If you’re lucky enough to have your favorite sports team playing on television right now, consider turning your living room into a sports arena for a big game. Order wings, nachos, and other sports bar favorites, set up the spread, put on your jerseys, and cheer on your favorite team together in a way that feels new and fresh.
Live it up and get your adrenaline pumping this wintertime. Find a nearby trail at GoSnowmobiling.
34
Escape to the mountains.
Rent a cabin for the day or weekend and enjoy a snowy getaway together.
Get cozy and visit a local museum or check out a new exhibit for a fun morning date. Go out for pancakes, coffee, or mimosas afterward to complete the outing.
36
Treat yourself to a cozy night in.
Make a fire, pour some wine, and put on your favorite Christmas movie.
37
Take a virtual baking class.
Take a virtual baking class or teach yourself via YouTube videos. Combine this with your favorite baking competition show (maybe try to recreate the recipes the professionals try?) and you can make a whole day of it.
38
Try a local coffee shop.
If coffee shops are some of your favorite places to frequent, why not find a new spot — either to stay and chat or grab coffee to go? You could even choose one and then create a walking route in your city that centers around it. This way, you can explore a new neighborhood, try a new coffee place, and drink a cozy, warm beverage.
39
Take a skate around the rink.
'Tis the season for circling the ice rink!
40
Take a stroll through the snow.
Have an outdoor adventure by taking in the beautiful scenery after the first snowfall.
Finding the perfect Christmas tree is a romantic activity in and of itself. Make a whole day of going to get your tree together, dressing it up, and finishing the rest of the holiday decorations for a fun date night or afternoon.
To some, going shopping may seem like the least romantic thing, but there's a way to make it fun. Head to a shopping area you've never been to, or choose a mall that's near a favorite restaurant that you can stop by after. You'll finish all your holiday shopping together and get to have a bit of fun. A win, win!
Bring out your cutest, most fun pajamas (and make your partner do the same) and have an adult sleepover, complete with watching movies all night, eating popcorn, and ordering a giant pizza.
Sometimes a charcuterie board can seem like something reserved for fancy parties, wineries, or expensive bars. But there's no reason you can't create one at home and, in fact, making one with your significant other could make a for a pretty fun date night.
When’s the last time you danced in your kitchen? Pour a few drinks, blast your favorite tunes, and spend one evening turning your home into a club. You’ll work up a sweat, have fun together, and forget about everything else in the world for a few minutes.
There's something so intimate about reading together, so why not make a date of it? Grab some papers if you want to go old school or choose two novels and get cozy under a few blankets (or by a fireplace, if you're lucky). Pour some coffee or glasses of wine and enjoy some time in comfortable silence together.
When it's chilly outside, there's nothing more comforting than walking into a heated, cozy movie theater and grabbing a still-warm bag of popcorn. Have an old school date night and do dinner and a movie to keep things simple, but fun.
Choose a beautiful winter night to bundle up and explore a part of your city or town that you've never seen before. You could walk around, do some shopping, and hit a bar or two before getting dinner and heading home. It'll feel like a getaway without having to leave your zip code.
49
Create your own bar crawl.
If the idea of staying home seems boring, but it feels too cold to be outdoors for long, consider hopping from bar to bar for the evening. Choose 3-4 locations that you've been wanting to try and map out your evening, grabbing a drink at each of the spots. Consider it an adult, sophisticated version of a typical bar crawl.
Embrace the true meaning of the holidays and use your date time to help those in need. Discover new volunteer opportunities through VolunteerMatch.
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Kelsey Hurwitz
Assistant Digital Editor
Kelsey Hurwitz is the assistant editor of WomansDay.com, and covers entertainment, holidays, pets, and good news.
Olivia Muenter
Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond.
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