12 Cozy Winter Date Ideas To Celebrate The Season

Looking for winter date ideas to spice up your chilly season? Understandably, many of us dread the approach of winter, and the short days and chilly weather that accompany it. But there is one major benefit of winter: the extensive opportunities for getting extra cozy! Think lots of candles, sweaters, and fuzzy socks, delicious warming food and drink, and holiday decor. It’s enough to make you look forward to the winter season!

To help you bring some of that wintry coziness into your dating life, here are 12 cozy winter date ideas that’ll take away at least some of the sting of winter’s chill.

1. Cook your date dinner (or lunch, or brunch)

Our first cozy winter date idea is to cook your date a delicious meal that sticks to your ribs, like a soup, a stew, or a big pot of pasta—anything comforting and warming. You can, of course, take them out for a meal at a restaurant, but there’s something special about cooking for someone, showing how much you care about them through the time and effort it takes to feed them. If you’re not sure what to cook, check out these winter dinner ideas from Martha Stewart for an assortment of inspiring recipes.

And since the location of your date makes a huge difference in the overall experience, consider renting out a space by the hour (with a kitchen where you can cook, of course) using Peerspace. It’s the largest internet marketplace for short-term rentals, connecting you with literally thousands of hourly rentals in hundreds of cities around the world, so there’s bound to be a space in your area that fits your date needs. Ready to begin your search? Click here to find dinner venues near you on Peerspace!

2. Cooking class date

Alternatively, instead of having one of you cook for the other, you and your date could also enjoy the process of cooking together by attending a cooking class! Choose a cuisine that the two of you have always wanted to learn how to cook, and if possible, pick a dish to prepare that’ll help you warm up.

3. Board game night

If you and your partner love to get competitive together, plan a board game night for an unbeatable—not to mention easy and super affordable—winter date idea. Be sure to have plenty of snacks to fuel your night of exciting competition. For extra fun, you can even invite another couple or two and make the whole event a double or triple date!

Love this idea? Then enhance it using our creative couples’ game night ideas!

4. Baking night

It’s hard to imagine anything cozier than homemade baked goods—not only pulling them out of the oven and eating them but also the whole process of making them. Not to mention that the way the oven warms up the kitchen is a definite bonus. Choose your favorite treat, whether that’s homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, or a delicious apple pie, and when you’re finished, enjoy the fruits of your labor with your date!

5. Ice skating date

There’s a reason this winter date idea is a classic! Even if you’re not a very skilled ice skater, a trip to your local rink is an adorable way to spend a few hours together. Afterward, you’ll probably be pretty cold, so be sure to warm up over cups of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa and reminisce about all the fun the two of you just had!

6. Holiday decor craft night

One of the many things we love about the holidays is putting up decorations. Done right, they can transform your home into a festive wonderland that’ll have you feeling the holiday spirit in no time. Combining this decoration process with a craft night can make it even more fun, and is a great way to bond and create something special with your date while saving you money on holiday decorations. Here are some ideas for easy DIY holiday decorating ideas to get you started!

7. Visit a local museum

For this winter date idea, choose your favorite local museum and make an afternoon of it, warming up while wandering through the galleries hand-in-hand with your beloved.

8. Go stargazing

On a clear, cloudless night, bundle up in lots of warm clothes (be sure to bring extra blankets!) and go stargazing together! If possible, bring a telescope to make the experience that much more exciting. Keep an eye out for constellations and shooting stars, and bask in the quiet beauty of the night sky. 

9. Visit a holiday market

Many cities have charming markets during the holiday season, where you can explore the offerings of various stalls, sip on warm beverages like mulled wine, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. It’s also a great opportunity to buy gifts for family and friends. So not only do you get to enjoy a cute date together, but you can also check some shopping tasks off your to-do list.

Don’t let the weather spoil date night! Use our cozy rainy-day date ideas to keep the romance intact.

10. Make a snowman together

If there is snow on the ground, visit a nearby park and build a snowman (or other snow art) together! For an added dose of fun, you can even turn it into a competition where each of you constructs your own snow sculpture, and then you both judge each other’s creations.

11. Visit a botanical garden

In particular, you’ll probably want to spend time in the greenhouses at your local botanical garden, since they’re a lovely warm respite from the cold and filled with lush greenery, flowers, and unique specimens you won’t see anywhere else. Many botanical gardens are also decorated for the holiday season. So when you step outside the warmth of the greenhouses, the two of you can enjoy the festive lights and displays as well.

12. Attend a wine tasting

Head to a nearby winery for a wine-tasting experience. Especially if you and your date are oenophiles—meaning lovers or connoisseurs of wines—this winter date idea is perfect! Not only is it educational, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable. Wine tasting is an ideal way to warm up when the weather outside is especially chilly.

Find unique date venues on Peerspace