50 Best Winter Date Ideas to Heat Up the Romance on Cold Nights

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).