9 Winter Date Ideas That Are Sure to Warm Things Up

Look at Holiday Lights and Decorations

One winter tradition that is well worth turning into a date is venturing out to gaze upon the twinkling holiday lights and decorations in your town or city.

This could be a trek downtown to see the big tree lit up in all its glory, or a drive out to the suburbs to admire all the hard work the locals put into their annual holiday displays. Frosty and Santa will all be there, and you're bound to snap some cute shots of the two of you.

Bring a thermos of hot apple cider or hot cocoa and turn up the holiday tunes, it's bound to be a memory for the books.

Take a Class Together

If you’re hoping to avoid the cold, consider signing up for a fun class together! This can be something you’ve always wanted to try, or something completely out of your comfort zone (or perhaps a combination of both). Better yet make it a class with a cozy theme like cooking. Some other cute ideas include a pottery workshop, painting class, language learning, or fitness.

“Taking a class together is a fun way to get to know someone. Not only will you learn a new skill, you will learn more about your partner,” says Paula Pardel, founder and CEO of Bloom Matchmaking. “It also provides an opportunity for a shared experience, personal growth, teamwork, support, and a shared goal.”

Take turns picking a class to take together to make this adventure a monthly recurring date night.

Hit the Ice Skating Rink

This is one of those undeniable classic winter date ideas we obviously couldn't leave off our list. As cliche as it might be, there's just something so charming about stumbling across a frozen pond or rink, clutching one another, giggling the entire time.

This is a great outing for both new relationships and for those who’ve been together for years. Plus, it’s a great way to get snuggly—especially if one of you is a great skater and the other is still learning their way around a rink. 

“No one wants to fall, so you have a great excuse to hold on to each other,” says Laurel House, a relationship expert at eHarmony. She says it also invites both parties to share their past experiences with ice skating or similar winter activities. 

Plan a Date That Gives You a Burst of Adrenaline

As winter goes on into January and February with the holidays behind us, things can start to feel especially dreary, mundane, or just plain boring. That's why Pardel says it's a great time to re-energize your spirits and plan an activity that gets your heartbeat going.

“Do something out of the ordinary—something that gets your adrenaline pumping and makes you feel excited,” she says. “Try indoor skydiving, go-karts, or a trampoline park. Giving you a shared feeling of thrilling excitement will bring you and your partner closer.”

Pencil in a Bookstore Date

Head to a local bookstore together to browse books, steal kisses, and chat about your favorite genres, novels you loved, and books you’ve been meaning to read. Also make sure to venture into new-to-your territories and let the titles excite you both. Bonus points if it's a bookstore coffee shop combo!

“Allow the possibilities of new ideas to wash over you—a new cookbook, a thrilling novel, a how-to guide for home improvements,” says Kristin Marguerite Doidge, LMFT. “Learning something new together will create a deeper bond.”

Enjoy Hot Cocoa by the Fire

Turn up the romance factor by enjoying some delicious hot cocoa near a flickering fire. This could be a fireplace at one of your homes, or a fireplace at a local establishment—like a restaurant, bar, or ski lodge. 

Although it's a super simple activity, sitting by a fire, wrapped up in a blanket allows us to be fully present and in the moment with our partner.

“Lean into these ‘cheesy’ seasonal traditions,” House says. “Ask your date what their annual winter traditions are or traditions that they want to start, and share your own favorite cold weather activities.” 

Plan a night in that's more than just movies

If you’re trying to steer clear of frightful weather, you could try a cozy night in. And while there's nothing wrong with the traditional movie marathon, you could also try doing anything *but* turning on the TV.

Cook dinner and make some festive cocktails, dance around to your favorite Beatles records, and pull out the board games or that box of art supplies you have collecting dust under your bed.

Maybe you both prefer a slow burn via Monopoly or Chess, like to keep on your toes with word games or Mario Kart, or want to dive deep into romance with a connection-building card game—playing games together is fun and can also strengthen your connection. Studies have also shown that this sort of mental stimulation can even help with stress relief.

Volunteer Together

Nonprofits are always in need of volunteers, and this is especially true in the winter months and leading up to the holiday season. Discuss which organizations are near to your heart—a prime opportunity to learn more about each other—and then take some time to volunteer there. 

“Whether it’s at an animal shelter where you cuddle and walk dogs, a soup kitchen where you feed the less fortunate, a children’s hospital or homeless shelter where you wrap presents for kids who might not otherwise have a gift under the tree, or a retirement home where you talk to and dance with the elderly, it will be a memorable date,” House says. 

This idea probably isn't a great first date idea, but if you've been dating for a little while it can show you how the two of you work together as a team. As an added bonus, researchers have found that those who volunteer report they're happier compared to those who don't.

Midwinter Stargazing

On a clear night, drive out of the city and enjoy a relaxing evening together looking at the stars. You might even do some research beforehand to see when a big meteor shower or other cosmic event might be happening.

 Make sure to bring enough layers to keep warm, extra blankets, hot beverages, and (if you have one on hand) a telescope.