45 Winter Date Ideas to Heat Up Your Love Life This Season

Hello and welcome to cuffing season, friends! That’s right: Winter is upon us, and whether you’re already happily cuffed and committed, ready to get back out there after a disastrously failed summer situationship (just me?), or feeling things out with a new crush, ’tis the season to level up your dating game. Sure, is winter the sexiest time of year? No. But it is the coziest, which means the cooler months ahead are filled with romantic date-night potential. And to help you make the most of that potential, we’ve kindly gone ahead and rounded up the very best winter date ideas for you and whoever you’re cuddling up to these days.

Whether you’re someone who likes to get dressed up and go out, stay in for a cozy at-home date night, or get outside and brave the cold, winter definitely does not have to mean resigning yourself to months of dateless nights chilling on the couch watching TV. While some of your warm-weather go-tos may be off the table for the season—farewell, beach dates—many of your fave date-night activities are more than capable of weathering the transition (they just might require bundling up in a few extra layers).

Not to mention, winter happens to serve up plenty of seasonal dating specials of its own that are best enjoyed during the colder months—from holiday-related outings to winter-weather activities. So while summer may have a reputation for sexy, sultry flings, winter is a sneaky-perfect time to heat up your dating life with these 45 winter date ideas. Happy cuffing season!

1. Put up holiday decorations

I mean, not only do you get to stay inside for this and keep your comfy clothes on, but you get to decorate your apartment or place together. Maybe it’s putting ornaments on a tree, maybe it’s putting up that “what a wonderful world” sign. Whatever it is, get into the holiday spirit and cross some seasonal chores off your to-do list by turning holiday decorating into a date night with your person.

2. Take *down* holiday decorations together

Okay, yes, this one may sound a little less fun, but hear me out. Undecorating is kind of sad and boring and work—but turning it into date night with your person can make an otherwise tedious chore actually kinda fun! Grab some wine, throw on a movie or set the mood with some music, and undeck the halls.

3. Binge your fave holiday movies while sipping hot chocolate

Is it really the holidays if you’re not watching Home Alone, The Grinch, or some cheesy rom-com on Lifetime? This date is perfect for a Friday night after you’ve told your friends you’re “too tired to go out.” So grab your cozy blankets and fuzzy socks, and get ready to Netflix and chill.

4. Cook a romantic dinner together

Again, staying in does not have to mean Netflix and takeout. Sometimes an intimate evening with a home-cooked meal you prepare together is actually more romantic than dining out. Pick a recipe you both want to try (might we suggest one of these options?), open a bottle of wine, and channel your inner chef.

5. Do a virtual wine-tasting

In case you missed it, plenty of companies now offer virtual wine tastings you can do from the comfort of your own home. They send the wine to you, and you and your date can follow along as an expert guides you through the various selections in a usually Zoom-style seminar. What better way to spend a night in than exploring new wines together and refining your somm sensibilities?

6. Go to a Christmas tree farm

Alexa, play “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift. But really, whether or not you actually want to perform the manual labor of cutting down a live tree, lugging it home, and setting it up when you could just order a fake from Amazon, spending a cozy day at a Christmas tree farm is an iconic holi-date. It’s outdoorsy without being too physically demanding, it’s brimming with cute selfie potential, and you can basically pretend you’re in the cheesy-yet-addictive holiday rom-com of your dreams. What more could you ask for?

7. Get thee to the theater

Can you technically see a play any time of year? Yes, of course. But is there something about “Going to the Theater” that just seems to ooze a certain wintery sophistication? Also yes. Whether it’s a Broadway show or a more intimate performance at your local theater, catching some live entertainment is a perfect way to spend a winter night out on the town.

8. Acquire a taste for jazz

If you’re down to class things up a bit this winter, nothing will make you feel more sexy and sophisticated than a jazz club date night. Just you and your boo sipping cocktails and enjoying some live tunes. Also, jazz is sexy, okay? It just is.

9. Learn to ski

If you and your person are already seasoned slope-hitters, then hello, ski trip. But if you don’t know your way around the slopes yet, why not take a lesson together? It’s a great opportunity to learn something new, get outside and make the most of the cold weather, and it comes with a built-in excuse to warm up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate afterwards. You’re welcome.

10. Revisit one of your fave summer date spots

While some of your favorite summertime haunts may be closed for the season, plenty of typically summery destinations are actually open year-round. Not to mention, a lot of them are probably less expensive and less crowded during the off-season. Plan a trip to your favorite beach town or seaside locale and see what it’s like in the winter. Chances are it’s probably a lot more peaceful.

11. Book a hotel room for a cozy staycation in your city

Spending a night together in a hotel is a great way to get out of the house and treat yourselves to a romantic little mini-getaway. Some hotels even offer special holiday/winter packages for the season.

12. See a comedy Show

What better way to heat up your winter nights than an evening of laughing with the one you love?

13. See a burlesque Show

Actually, never mind, we did think of a better way to heat up your winter nights: an evening of live, partially nude entertainment with the one you love.

14. Sexy game night

Staying in, but make it sexy. Set aside an evening for a rousing game of sexy truth or dare, would you rather, or any of the many card games and board games out there specifically designed for couples.

15. Go the ballet

I mean, sure, you can support the arts anytime. But it just seems like there’s something a little fancy-yet-cozy about winter ballet. Also, you know, there’s The Nutcracker.

16. Visit your hometown

Nothing says cuffing season like meeting the parents! But even if you’re not ready to take that step, a little trip to your hometown to show your crush all the old haunts is a great way to spend a winter weekend and indulge in a little nostalgia.

17. Go to a heated outdoor pool

If you live somewhere that gets cold in the winter, then a real-deal, outdoor pool day date may be off limits…Unless you can find a venue that boasts the coveted heated outdoor pool. A winter pool day truly just hits different, trust.

18. Literally anything involving a hot tub

Speaking of heated water, relaxing (and/or engaging in, uh, *other* activities) in a hot tub together is an ideal way to heat things up (literally) this winter. Whether it’s at a ski lodge, a hotel, your parents’ house, or literally anywhere you can find one, please, get thee to a hot tub!

19. Have an old movie marathon

Or any kind of movie marathon, for that matter. But the black-and-white classics just kind of tap into that cozy, wintery vibe, no?

20. Have a snowball fight

If Elf taught us anything, it’s that nothing bonds two people together like a good, old-fashioned snowball fight. Except instead of an elf and his half-brother, it’s, you know, you and your crush/SO.

21. Get all dressed up and go to that really fancy restaurant you’ve been dying to go to

Look, sometimes it can be tough to work up the motivation to actually get up and Go Out in the winter. It’s dark, it’s cold, your seasonal depression is acting up, etc. But that’s exactly why you deserve to treat yourselves to luxe night out. You know that fancy restaurant you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Screw the special occasion. Go now, for no reason other than you can.

22. Bake cookies together

Christmas cookies, non-denominational holiday cookies, regular cookies, your mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies from when you were a kid, a random cookie recipe you saw on TikTok, whatever. Just stock up on some supplies and have a baking date. Cute, right?

23. Two words: spa day

What better way to unwind and beat the winter blues than a spa date? Treat yourselves to a couple’s massage, a relaxing sauna steam, and/or some beauty treatments that your dry winter skin will definitely thank you for.

24. Spend the afternoon at a cute café

Stake out the cutest, coziest coffee shop you can find (no, we’re not talking about Starbucks) and warm up with a latte (complete with cute latte art, obvs) and some sweet treats. Lots of cafés also have live music, board games, or other fun activities to enjoy together.

25. Take a mixology class

Lots of bars offer mixology classes where you and your date can not only enjoy some delicious seasonal cocktails, but also learn to make them yourselves. If you’d rather not leave the house (I hear you) there are also virtual options you can attend online from the comfort of your own home.

26. Plan a winter sex fest

If it’s too cold to get out of bed, then don’t. Take advantage of the dreary weather by planning to spend a whole day in bed together, and don’t be afraid to go all out. Try some new toys, put on your favorite lingerie (bonus points for slipping into something a little more festive), and run through as many of our winter sex positions as your horny little hearts can handle. When you’re finally all sexed-out, treat yourself to a steamy post-sex shower and some fireside cuddling.

27. Go to a bookstore

Head to your favorite independent and/or used bookstore and spend an afternoon exploring the stacks together. You can each pick out a book for each other, then post up at the nearest coffee shop or curl up by the fire and enjoy a relaxing evening catching up on some reading.

28. Have a romantic holiday meal together

Maybe you and your partner won’t be able to be together for the holidays this year, or maybe you’d just like a chance to celebrate together privately before braving the relatives and in-laws. Either way, cooking your own pre-holiday dinner for two is the perfect way to sprinkle a little romance into the season while perfecting your holiday cooking game.

29. Take a romantic bath together

The holidays tend to be all cute and adorable, but they can also be pretty chaotic. Whether you’re wrapping things up at work or getting ready to visit the family, you deserve to relax a little bit with your partner by taking a warm bath or shower together while sipping champagne and eating some banana bread. I don’t make the rules.

30. Plan an indoor picnic when you‘re snowed in

If you hate going out in the cold, why not bring the outdoors in with an adorable picnic? Make space in your living room, throw down a blanket, and spend the rest of the night eating off a charcuterie board, drinking a specialty drink, and cooking up your favorite desserts.

31. Make a gingerbread house together

Prove that you work well together by building a gingerbread house together. You don’t really have to spend too much money doing this, and you can end up eating it in the end if it falls apart.

32. Invite another couple over to your house for an indoors double date

The holidays are for spending time with your loved ones, and yes, that of course includes your sister and her partner as well. On a night when you know you won’t get snowed in, invite some friends over for a double date. Make dinner together and play some games for some well-deserved time off.

33. Make s’mores together

I know s’mores are kind of associated with summer or fall time, but TBH, having a fire pit in your backyard when it’s cold outside sounds a lot better than when it’s above 80 degrees, just saying. If you decide to go through all the trouble of making a fire pit, use the time and opportunity to make a s’more while you’re at it too.

34. Get your holiday shopping done together

Yes, you could just do all your shopping online like you usually do, but don’t you spend enough time staring at a screen? Holiday shopping isn’t just regular shopping—it should be fun, so why not make a day (/a date) out of it? Head to the mall or your favorite spot for thrifting and make a lunch reservation for after so you can celebrate checking off your shopping lists together.

35. Paint and sip

The key to dating in the winter is you must choose activities that are either a) at home in your PJs or b) inside in a heated place. For this reason, if you want to venture out, try signing up for a paint and sip class where you bring your own wine and create your masterpiece together.

36. Play literally any type of game together

Board games, video games, horny truth or dare, you get the picture. This is quality time to a T, plus, it’s free bonding.

37. Go on a drive or walk to look at holiday lights

All you need to do is bundle up, grab a boozy hot chocolate, and make your way through the neighborhood (or down Fifth Avenue if you live in New York City). Did we mention this activity is totally free?

38. Go to the movies

I’m all for going to other buildings during the winter just to stay warm, so why not catch a newly released movie while you’re at it? You’ll get to enjoy your partner’s company while enjoying some movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and slurpees.

39. Go to your favorite restaurant

If you want to avoid massive crowds at your fave restaurant, schedule date night during the week. Not only will you have something to look forward to after school or work, but you won’t have to be rubbing elbows with other diners since it will likely be emptier than on a Friday or Saturday night.

40. Build a snowman

Okay, maybe you don’t have to build a snowman, but do something together on the first day of snow. Whether it’s frolicking through the white and drifted snow, having a snowball fight, or building a snowman together, make sure to pack some warm gloves and waterproof boots.

41. Go ice skating

Take some time this holiday to hit the ice. Make it better by getting your favorite Starbucks holiday drink after.

42. Go on a winter hike

If you’d rather stay active than hibernate this season, go outside for a walk. The scenery should be absolutely breathtaking after a night of snow showers, and it’s always rewarding when you’re able to get a workout in while getting some fresh air.

43. Visit holiday shops together

There are normally tons of festive shops around in cities. But if you’d rather get a good deal, make a plan about what stores to hit during Black Friday and get up at 4 a.m. together. The couple that snags holiday deals together, stays together.

44. Explore winter villages

Many towns and cities tend to have winter villages during the season where people can buy holiday trinkets, different foods, and spend lots of time together. Get together after work and hit up a jolly wintery event instead of doing the same old bar hopping.

45. Take holiday photos together

The holidays are always such a romantic time, so why not capture those memories by snapping some holiday pics together? Whether it’s an impromptu selfie ice-skating selfie, posing in front of a gigantic Christmas tree, or coordinating a professional holiday photo shoot and mailing out Christmas cards (if you’re Martha Stewart-level like that) take some pics for the ’gram and make a date out of it.