16 Winter Date Ideas
16 Winter Date Ideas
By Audrey Cooper — December 10, 2025
Even during the holiday rush, winter has a sweet way of slowing everything down. It is the season of showing gratitude, reveling in the beginnings of a brand new year ahead, cozying up next to a bonfire, wrapping oneself in oversized scarves, and pulling the ones you love a little bit closer.
These winter date ideas are reminders to openly express love for your special someone and embrace all the little moments together.
1. Bake Night or Competition
Whether you’re a great baker or just a beginner, roll up your sleeves and collect some of your favorite recipes. Make a mess, and make it a competition between you and your partner of who can make the better holiday treat.
2. Home Movie Night
Transform your living room into a cozy theater. Collect the softest blankets, move your mattress to the living room, pop some popcorn, grab your favorite candy, and start a marathon of your favorite holiday classics.
3. Go Thrifting or Antiquing
Hunt for hidden treasures together at a local thrift shop or antique store. Knock out some Christmas shopping or just laugh together as you discover quirky decor and nostalgic finds.
4. Write New Year’s Goals Together
With a brand new year lingering ahead, it is the perfect time to consider what the future holds. Grab your partner and finally make those travel plans, or discuss goals you would like to carry into the future to enhance your relationship or better yourself.
5. Put Up/Take Down Holiday Decorations Together
Turn a mundane chore into a joyful ritual to share every year. Visit a local Christmas tree farm and drift together to find the perfect tree for your home or apartment. Pick out ornaments or, even better, make some. Blast music and sip hot cider while stringing lights, wrapping presents, and hanging ornaments. Once the holiday season comes to an end, whether in January or on the day after Christmas, take everything down and enjoy a simple time together.
6. Book a Staycation in Your Town
Take a break before or after the holiday mayhem without even having to leave town. Treat yourselves to a hotel room, order room service, and enjoy the luxury of just being together.
7. Holiday Window Walk
Stroll through streets or neighborhoods lit up with holiday decorations. Bring a thermos of your favorite winter drink, and enjoy the scenery.
8. Cozy Bookshop Wandering
Visit your local bookstore, browse the aisles together, and pick out a book for each other. Afterwards, visit a cafe and read the first chapter while sipping coffee.
9. Ice Skating
Whether it’s an outdoor rink or a frozen lake, ice skating is a fun way to embrace the season together. Fall a few times, have some good laughs, and end the night together in front of the fire (look to #10).
10. Build a Bonfire
Gather firewood and some blankets, pull some chairs together, and roast marshmallows for s’mores. The winter season can limit outside activities, but this is the perfect date idea to stay warm and still be outside.
11. Hot Chocolate/Cider and Card Games
Sip on your favorite holiday drink either at your favorite local cafe or at home, and play some classic card games such as King’s Corners or Gin Rummy.
12. Local Winter Festival
Check out your town’s holiday or winter events, such as light installations or fairs. Taste test all the different holiday treats and judge which one is the best.
13. Foster A Dog for the Weekend
A less traditional “date,” but one of the sweetest. Spend the weekend walking, cuddling, and caring for a foster pup, creating special memories together for you and a dog in need of some love. Also, this is a great idea if you’re on the fence about potentially getting a pet together one day.
14. Puzzle & Charcuterie Board Night
Set up a winter-themed puzzle and make a charcuterie board. Settle in for the night, put your phones away, let your mind slow down, and revel in the quiet moments together.
15. Couples Christmas Bar Crawl
Grab your coziest—or cheesiest—holiday sweaters and hit a lineup of festive bars or seasonal pop-ups. Sip themed cocktails, dance to holiday music, and end the night together, reheating late-night pizza in the kitchen.
16. Spa Night
Turn your bedroom or bathroom into a mini spa retreat. Light candles, throw on robes, put on hydrating face masks, and turn off your phones. Debrief and relax before or after the holiday rush.
Whether you’re staying inside, getting bundled up, or exploring your city in full holiday mode, these winter date ideas will keep things fun, creative, and impossibly cozy.
If you’re single this holiday season, take these dates and do them all with your best friends or family members. This season is made for celebrating love, regardless of whether it’s for your partner, your friends, or your family.
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All photos belong to Audrey Cooper and Dupe Photos.