13 Christmas Date Ideas for a Romantic Holiday Season

1. See a Seasonal Production

Amid all the year-end deadlines, Christmas chaos, and family drama that tends to pop up around the holidays, it’s easy to forget that Christmas is truly one of the most romantic times of the year to spend with a partner, crush, or cuffing season fling. So while date night may not be top of mind with everything going on, it’s definitely worth trying to carve out some time to enjoy this special season with a festive romantic outing.

To help you make the most of all the date-night potential the holiday season has to offer, we’ve put together this list of 13 Christmas date ideas perfect for festive fun with the one you love. Whether you’re looking to go all out on the town with a new fling or keep it cozy and casual with a romantic night in with your long-term love, there’s a holiday date idea in this list for every kind of date night vibe and every relationship stage.

Below, 13 Christmas and holiday date ideas for your inspiration. Happy holidays, lovers!

Whether it’s the Nutcracker ballet, the Rockettes, a stage version of A Christmas Carol, or some other festive performance, there’s no shortage of live holiday entertainment out there. And if you’re New York-based and looking for something a little on the spicier side, might I recommend Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge? It’s a sexy, burlesquey rendition of the Nutcracker and definitely the hottest holiday date night you’ll have this season! Get tickets here!

2. Go to a Christmas Tree Farm

Even if you prefer a fake tree to the responsibility and manual labor of a real one, visiting a Christmas tree farm just for fun makes for a cute, nostalgic, and inexpensive holiday date. And yes, you can (and should) sing the Taylor Swift song the whole time.

3. Go on a Hot Cocoa Crawl

Get cozy and find a few local patios with heated seating and have a night of hot cocoa tasting. Go from place to place trying hot chocolates and rate each one. You can even tally up your points at the end of the night and decide on a winner. (Also: Making it a boozy hot cocoa crawl is always an option.)

4. Go on a Christmas Cabin Getaway

You don’t have to jet off around the world for a holiday vacay. A country inn, bed and breakfast, or cozy airbnb within driving distance can make for a cute wintery escape with your sweetheart.

5. Look at Christmas Lights Together

Is there a street in your neighborhood that always has the best Christmas light decorations? A romantic date could be just that: taking a walk down Christmas lane. Take in all the beautiful Christmas glory with your love on your arm. Too cold? Go for a super-slow drive around the neighborhood.

6. Hit up a Holiday-Themed Pop-up

Search for “your city” + “holiday-themed pop-ups” on Google to find an extra-merry outing. (And maybe even add “free” in there if you want to save your budget for gift-giving!) There are so many really cool pop-ups this time of year full of festive photo opps and general cheer.

7. Splurge on That Fancy Restaurant

Many restaurants really lean into the spirit of the season, so treat yourself and your date to a decadent dinner at a luxe establishment. A bit of research will help you find the most festive spots, so save up, get dressed to the nines, and go all out on a fancy seasonal dinner.

8. Cook a Christmas Dinner for Two

The best part about the holidays is the food. But cooking for a crowd (or even eating someone else’s cooking surrounded by relatives) over the holidays isn’t always the best way to actually get to enjoy that food. Before whatever official holiday plans you have coming up with family, why not have an intimate Christmas dinner for two?

9. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon

Whether you love a made-for-Netflix rom-com, a modern holiday classic, or the real-deal, old-school Christmas specials, there’s so much seasonal watching to do this time of year.

10. Go Sledding

If you live in an area where there’ll be hills and hills of snow, take advantage of the ambience. Throw on your warmest winter clothes, grab a sled (or a makeshift one), and get to a snowy slope. Playing around in the snow is the perfect place for a romantic montage.

11. Go Skating

Another romantic outdoor activity, a skating date is basically peak holiday rom-com gold.

12. Hit Up a Ski Resort

It’s like sledding’s fancier cousin! Book a trip to a ski resort and hit the slopes with your partner. Even if snow sports aren’t your thing, ski towns are usually (a) adorable and (b) tend to have a lot of hot tubs that were made for cuddling up, watching the snow fall, and sharing a hot toddy.

13. Go Christmas Shopping Together

If you’re looking for a more low-key Christmas date, running errands together is always a sweet idea. Give each other gift ideas, walk through stores or browse favorite sites, and maybe even get a better idea of what your partner might have on their wish list this year.