30 Christmas Date Ideas That Feel Like a Holiday Movie

String lights are up, the holiday playlist is on repeat and every coffee shop smells like cinnamon. If there's ever a time to plan a cute date, it's now. Whether you're three dates in, in a full-on relationship or just met someone during cuffing season, these Christmas date ideas make the holidays feel a little more magical. Here are 30 ideas for cozy nights in, festive nights out, tight budgets and new relationships, plus the best Christmas date spots in Los Angeles.

What makes a good Christmas date?

A good Christmas date is cozy, a little festive and built around something you can do together, not just somewhere to sit. Think lights, warm drinks, a shared activity and enough time to actually talk. It doesn't need to be expensive. It just needs to feel like the season.

Planning is easier than ever with the Bebs dating app. Find holiday markets, light shows and concerts on the events map and buy tickets right in the app, or book a cozy dinner at Olive Garden or Red Lobster and send the invite in the chat. You can even send a real gift through the app if you want to surprise someone special.

Cozy Christmas date ideas at home

Christmas date ideas at home are perfect when it's cold outside and you want something relaxed and personal.

• Holiday movie marathon. Pick three classics, build a blanket fort and rank them at the end. Snacks are mandatory.
• Gingerbread house competition. Same kit, separate houses, brutally honest judging. Bonus points for structural collapse.
• Christmas cookie bake-off. Each of you picks a recipe, bakes side by side and gives the other a score out of ten.
• Hot cocoa bar. Set up toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream and peppermint, then create your signature drinks.
• Decorate a mini tree together. Even a tiny tree on a table counts. Add one ornament that represents each of you.
• Cook a holiday dinner. Go fancy or keep it simple with a festive pasta. The cooking is the date.
• Wrap gifts with a playlist on. Wrap presents for friends and family together. Surprisingly fun and very cozy.
• Holiday game night. Board games, card games or a festive trivia quiz you make for each other.

Festive Christmas date ideas out and about

Going out for a Christmas date is all about lights, music and holiday crowds that put everyone in a good mood.

• A holiday market. Mulled wine or hot cider, handmade gifts and twinkly lights everywhere. Pick a small gift for each other on a set budget.
• Ice skating. Even if neither of you can skate, holding hands to stay upright is the whole point.
• A Christmas lights drive or walk. Find the neighborhood with the most over-the-top decorations and rate the houses.
• A holiday light show. Botanical gardens and zoos often run glowing light trails in December. Very romantic, very photogenic.
• A Christmas tree farm. Pick out a tree together, or just go for the hot cocoa and the vibes.
• A holiday concert or The Nutcracker. Dress up a little and make it a proper night out.
• An ugly sweater party. Show up in matching terrible sweaters. Instant inside joke.
• A cozy holiday dinner. Warm pasta at Olive Garden or a seafood feast at Red Lobster is the definition of comfort on a cold night. Book the table right in the Bebs dating app.

Cheap and free Christmas date ideas

Cheap Christmas date ideas prove that the holidays don't need a big budget to feel special.

• A thrift store gift exchange. Set a ten-dollar limit and find the funniest or most thoughtful gift for each other.
• Window shopping downtown. Look at the holiday windows, grab a cheap coffee and people-watch.
• Volunteer together. Help at a food bank or toy drive. It's meaningful and shows you a lot about each other.
• Write each other holiday cards. Handwritten, a little cheesy and something you'll both keep.
• Free community events. Tree lightings, caroling and holiday parades are usually free. Check the events map for what's happening near you.

Cute Christmas date ideas for a new relationship

If you just started seeing someone, keep your Christmas date fun and low-pressure, not overly romantic. These work great for early dating:

• Coffee and a holiday market stroll. Easy, festive and simple to extend if it's going well.
• A festive pop-up bar. Over-the-top decorations give you plenty to laugh about and take photos of.
• A holiday movie at the theater. Classic date energy with a seasonal twist.
• A small, thoughtful gift. Skip big presents. Something tied to a conversation you had, like their favorite candy or a book they mentioned, says way more.

Christmas date ideas in Los Angeles

LA may not get snow, but it makes up for it with some of the best holiday lights and events in the country. Check dates before you go, since holiday events change every year.

• The Grove. A giant Christmas tree, holiday music and nightly "snowfall." Peak LA Christmas.
• LA Zoo Lights. The zoo transforms into a glowing walk-through light show at night.
• Descanso Gardens light walk. A dreamy trail of light installations through the gardens. Book ahead, it sells out.
• Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills. A whole neighborhood going all out on decorations. Free and very festive.
• The Naples Holiday Boat Parade in Long Beach. Decorated boats glowing on the canals. Grab hot chocolate and find a spot by the water.

Want more options? The events map in the Bebs dating app shows holiday markets, concerts and pop-ups happening in LA this month, and you can buy tickets in a few taps.

Christmas date tips

The best Christmas dates are planned early, kept simple and focused on spending time together, not on being perfect.

• Book early. Popular light shows, restaurants and holiday events sell out fast in December.
• Dress for the weather. Even in LA, December nights get cold. Bring a layer.
• Match the date to the relationship. New connection? Keep it light. Longtime partner? Go for something meaningful.
• Take photos, then put the phone away. Get the cute shot, then actually enjoy the moment.
• Keep gifts small early on. A thoughtful little gift beats an expensive one when you've only been dating a few weeks.

Plan your holiday date in a few taps

The Bebs dating app makes festive dates easy. Find holiday events near you and grab tickets, book a table at Olive Garden or Red Lobster right from the chat, or send a real gift to someone special.

Download the app