27 Sweet & Simple Weeknight Date Ideas for 2024

If you’re like most people, a busy schedule can often drown out the romance in your life and leave you struggling to come up with weeknight date ideas.

Instead of saving all of your fun date ideas for Saturday and Sunday, why not try spicing up the weeknights and include some romance during the work week?

According to the University of Virginia, setting aside time each and every week for date night can have long-lasting benefits for your relationship, including increased communication and cooperation.

These date nights don’t always have to be elaborate affairs, either! You can bring more contentment to your relationship even with simple weeknight dates. 

But just knowing the benefits of a weekly date night doesn’t take the stress out of planning it. You might be wondering “What can couples do together at night during the week?”

Sometimes it seems like the urgency of everyday matters takes over, leaving little room for romance. That’s why we’ve gathered this list of 27 sweet and simple weeknight date ideas that can help you find joy and romance during the work week. 

Jump to Section 

• Foodie Weeknight Date Ideas
• Creative Weeknight Date Ideas
• Unique Weeknight Date Ideas
• At-Home Weeknight Date Ideas
• Free & Cheap Weeknight Date Ideas

Foodie Weeknight Date Ideas

1. Cooking Classes

One great way to come together and learn a new skill is with a cooking class. You’ll work together to create a delicious meal, and no matter where you are, there are sure to be great options for these classes nearby.

There are cooking classes in San Diego, cooking classes in Baltimore, cooking classes in Chicago and cooking classes near you. If you don’t feel like leaving the house after a busy day, why not try online cooking classes from the comfort of your own home? 

2. Wine Tasting

If cooking classes sound great, but you want a little more excitement, you might be wondering “What are some spice-up date night ideas?” Why not try a wine tasting? You can either visit a wine bar or winery in person or you can try a virtual wine tasting for this weeknight date idea. 

3. Mixology Classes

In the same vein as wine tasting, why not try online mixology classes? Mixing up a new cocktail will help you both loosen up after a stressful day at the office, making this a really fun weeknight date idea. 

4. Try a New Restaurant

This is one of the most classic after-work date ideas. Leave the meal prepping to the expert and try a new dining experience in your hometown. This works great for both casual and fancy occasions, like a simple dinner or something more elaborate for birthday date ideas. 

5. Go for a Picnic

This sweet and simple weeknight date idea gets you both outside in the fresh air and enjoying a simple meal. Pack your own picnic basket or stop and pick up sandwiches from the deli while you head to your favorite park.

Creative Weeknight Date Ideas

6. Paint and Sip Classes

Paint and sip classes are a great weeknight date idea for the creatively inclined. You can find paint and sip in Fort Lauderdale, paint and sip in Las Vegas, paint and sip in Washington, D.C. or paint and sip near you.

You can also try out online painting classes if you want to learn new skills before attending an in-person class together.

7. Pottery Classes

Weekday activities for couples can sometimes be difficult to find, but we suggest doing something creative together that will keep you laughing, like pottery classes.

Take pottery classes in Chicago, pottery classes in San Diego, pottery classes in NYC or find pottery classes near you to start learning a new creative skill today.

8. Art Classes 

Another great weeknight date idea is an art class. You’ll be able to show off your creative skills while spending important time bonding with your partner. Find art classes in Boston, art classes in Los Angeles and art classes in Houston, or look for other classes near you. 

9. Plant a Garden

This weeknight date idea involves getting your hands dirty. Why not work outside in the yard together, growing something beautiful? For apartment dwellers, try your hand at a window box or kitchen herb garden. 

10. Visit a Museum

If you’re looking for indoor date ideas, why not try visiting a museum? Some museums offer special events or opening hours for a fun and artsy weeknight date idea. 

11. Go to a Concert

You might be a little sleepy the day after a concert, but seeing your favorite band live will be well worth it. Concerts also make for great double date ideas if you’re looking to get together with some of your friends. 

Unique Weeknight Date Ideas

12. Dance Classes 

Dance classes are a great weeknight activity for adults, so why not keep the romance alive in your relationship by getting closer on the dance floor?

There are plenty of options in most major cities, like  dance classes in San Francisco, dance classes in Colorado Springs and dance classes in Las Vegas.

If you are located elsewhere, try searching for dance classes near you or online dance classes to keep your relationship moving!

13. Play Pickleball

Pickleball is all the rage when it comes to weeknight activities for adults. Grab your gear and hit the court with your partner; a little healthy competition can be a great thing for your relationship. 

14. Go Ice Skating

Another great weeknight date idea is ice skating! You’ll be able to hold hands and cozy up in the ice skating rink, plus there’s sure to be lots of laughter if neither of you are able to keep your balance. 

15. Hit the Gym Together

This might seem like a simple after-work date idea, but making exercise a part of your routine will help you feel better and give you an easy way to spend time with each other throughout the week. 

16. Host a Taste-Test Competition 

This weeknight date idea lets you compare different brands of your favorite snacks and drinks. Take turns sampling snacks while blindfolded and see if you can find your favorites in the mix.

17. Go for Ice Cream

This sweet addition to your list of summer date ideas is a great way to bond…and indulge your sweet tooth! After a busy day at work, what could be better than a sweet treat with your sweetheart? 

At-Home Weeknight Date Ideas

18. Game Night

If you’re still wondering, “What should I do on a mid-week date?”, try game night. You’ll be able to play cards, try a new board game, or even test out virtual game night or online trivia games.

This plus the ability to play video games together from different locations could make a virtual date night a great long distance date idea. 

19. At-Home Scavenger Hunt

For another weeknight date idea, try an at-home scavenger hunt. You can set up clues for your partner, or you can try something more unique, like a virtual scavenger hunt. 

20. Virtual Escape Room

Another way to spice up your list of at-home date ideas is through a virtual escape room. With fun pre-planned escape rooms, you won’t have to leave the house or do any in-depth planning to still have a fun time connecting with your partner. 

21. Virtual Flower Arranging Classes

At-home date ideas don’t have to be boring or run-of-the-mill. Why not try something new and creative together, like flower arranging?

In the past, these classes were taken in person, but now, technology makes them available online. You and your partner can sign up for virtual flower arranging classes from the comfort of your living room. 

22. At-Home Spa Night 

If you're wondering, "What can I do for a relaxing date night?", try an at-home spa night for your next stay-home date idea. You can indulge in a romantic bubble bath, massages or face masks as you relax at home. Plus, this makes for a cheap date night idea at home, since there’s little extra cost involved. 

Free & Cheap Weeknight Date Ideas

23. Go for a Walk 

After a busy work day, sometimes you just need to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Going for a walk around the block together is free, and it gives you time alone to talk about everything that happened over the course of the day. 

24. Tackle Your Honey-Do List

If you’re looking for a cheap weeknight date idea or date ideas for married couples, why not try checking a few things off your honey-do list? It might seem boring to make chores a part of date night, but working together to accomplish a goal will make you feel close to each other. 

25. Binge a New Show

This is a classic cheap date night idea at home. Find a new show that you can both enjoy and press play! Make sure you have some good snacks nearby; who knows how many episodes you might be able to get through in one night?

26. Take a Drive

If you’re looking for last-minute date ideas, taking a scenic drive is a great option. Play some great music, roll the windows down, and try out some new roads you haven’t traveled down before. You’ll have time to chat and relax without the pressure of finding a perfect destination. 

27. Practice Your Favorite Hobbies

Weeknight date ideas don’t have to be complicated! If you and your partner both have separate hobbies, take time to work on your own projects in the same space. Simply being together, even if you’re both working on something different, will bring more intimacy and better communication to your relationship. 

Whatever stage of your relationship you find yourself in, making time during a busy work week to slow down and connect is crucial.

By planning even a simple weeknight date idea, you’re investing precious time into your relationship and showing your partner that you really care. These sweet and simple ideas are sure to bring better communication and more intimacy to your life together.

For even more weeknight date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!