1. Attend a Hockey Game

Checkers games run until April, and nothing says romance like drinking hot chocolate and eating stadium food while cheering on fights between players, right? See the full schedule here.

 

  1. Curl Up By a Fire

If you and your date can get past the very real threat of smelling like a campfire for the rest of the night and want an excuse to huddle even closer together, head to Craft (order a cheese plate or charcuterie board if you want to look extra fancy), Selwyn Avenue Pub (get there early to snag the prime seats) or Fahrenheit (can’t beat the view) for outdoor fire pits. If you can’t – or just don’t want to spend the night trying to hide your chattering teeth – get to The Workman’s Friend and drink an Irish coffee by the fireplace.

[Realted: Top 10 Charlotte bars with fire pits. Because grabbing a drink outside can continue through winter.]

 

  1. Go Ice Skating

Head to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza for Charlotte’s Outdoor Ice Rink, which comes complete with a view of Uptown, string lights and a 39 foot Christmas tree. Admission and skate rental is $14, and days and hours of operation vary, but it’ll be there waiting for you and the date you “need to hold on to for support” (wink) until January 8.

 

  1. Take a Carriage Ride

You can do this any time of year, but there’s something special about seeing Fourth Ward at Christmas from a carriage. Check out Charlotte Center City Carriage Tours’ everyday tours, which range from 20 minutes ($12) to an hour ($40). If you want the true Christmas experience, find the carriages at Billy Graham Library during Christmas at the Library until December 23 ($7, details) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden until December 31 ($6, details) and unexpected spots like the Arboretum and Waxhaw. See the full list here.

 

  1. Grab a Mug of Hot Chocolate and Roast Some Smores

You’ve got an open invitation to City Lights’ holiday party (which runs through Christmas Eve). Take it, and order a mug of spiked cocoa (flavors include Cocoa Mocha and Peppermint Forest, $13) to go with your s’mores platter, which should satisfy that craving for the rest of the year. The Classic Campfire option is always a hit ($16), but if you’re feeling a little more daring, try the bourbon option (bourbon-infused marshmallows, chocolate graham crackers and raspberry, $22).

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