Whether you’re in a relationship or wading into the dating pool for the first time in a while, the winter season offers plenty of unique dating opportunities. Here are a few activities worth trying out with that special someone during the chillier months.
Get competitive at PowerPlay
It’s easy to find common interests to enjoy together (or try something new) with the variety of things to do at PowerPlay. Show off your bowling skills at the 16-lane alley, practice your swing in the baseball or golf simulator, catch a movie together or play some arcade games. The entertainment facility also has a restaurant if you both work up an appetite.
100 Anderson Rd. S.E., powerplay.ca
Go skating (or try other winter activities) at Bowness Park
If you love skating, Bowness Park’s outdoor lagoon is a great place to try it with a partner (skate rentals are available). The park also has cool features like crokicurl, ice bikes, an ice trail and cross-country ski trails, which means you can pack plenty of different adventures into your date night. Bowness Park’s winter features are weather-dependent, so be sure to check whether they are open or closed on the website in advance.
Take an ice cream workshop together
The team behind the popular Made by Marcus ice cream shops offers ice cream workshops during the cooler seasons. With your partner, sign up for an Ice Cream 101 or Date Night workshop to learn the science behind how to make ice cream. You’ll also learn how to make pints of your own special flavour to bring home so you can keep enjoying the memory of your date night for weeks (or days) to come.
Suite 105, 1119 10 Ave. S.E., madebymarcus.ca
Play some arcade games
Stay warm and bring out each other’s competitive spirits with some arcade games at local eateries and bars. Play games like Ms. Pac-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Greta (which has an all-day happy hour on Wednesdays), try your luck at pinball at Pinbar (which has free pinball on Mondays and Wednesdays) or make your way over to The Rec Room for pool, shuffleboard and a slew of arcade game options.
Greta, 213 10 Ave. S.W., gretabar.com; Pinbar, 501 17 Ave. S.W., 403-930-8175, pinbaryyc.com; The Rec Room, 1180, 901 64 Ave. N.E., 587-535-6077, therecroom.com
Learn how to cook together
Cooking together at home is often a fun date night idea. But if your recipe book is getting a bit stale, or you just want to learn how to make something new, consider taking a cooking class together at The Cookbook Co. Cooks. Starting in January, there are classes to learn how to make bread, Mexican cuisine, vegetarian fare, pasta and more.
722 11 Ave. S.W., 403-265-6066, cookbookcooks.com
Relax in a private sauna and cold plunge suite for two
Leela Thermal House is a new hydrotherapy spa with private suites that are designed for one or two people. This is a great way to escape the cold winter weather for a bit while relaxing and decompressing with your own sauna and cold plunge tub.
6180, 5111 Northland Dr. N.W., 587-326-7988, leelathermalhouse.ca
Explore twinkling lights at the zoo during Zoolights
Every winter, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo becomes a glittering, glowing spectacle during the evening for Zoolights. With countless lights and light figures to discover, it’s a romantic and magical setting for a date night. Check out this year’s edition until January 4, 2026.
210 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.com
Have a cocktail and see a movie at The Plaza Theatre
This independent movie theatre in Kensington is a cozy destination for a romantic movie night. Arrive early to sip on a drink at the theatre’s cocktail bar (you can also bring drinks into the theatre itself) and get a snack from the café in the renovated pink lobby before the movie starts.
1133 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-2222, theplaza.ca