Magical Memphis : 10 Holiday Date Nights

Are you bored of your normal date nights, where your “Netflix and chill” turns into just falling asleep on the couch? Tired of the whole dinner and movie thing? Or maybe you haven’t actually been on a real date in ages. If you were nodding your head, then this article is for you! Memphis is magical! But during the holidays, it’s next level! That’s why you need to schedule some BIG FUN over the next month or so and bring some of that magic back into your marriage!

Magic of Memphis
Want to try something different this year? Come experience Memphis’ most beloved holiday tradition, joined by a continuous collage of Memphis performing groups for a non-stop light and music show like you’ve never seen! This annual show from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra featured stunning solos, upbeat holiday music, dancing Santas, and a Christmas carol sing-along. The evening show is at 7:30 on December 20 at the Canon Center. Get tickets HERE!

NutRemix at the Cannon Center
My husband actually enjoys going to see Broadways shows, but as soon as I mention the word “ballet” his eyes glaze over. Ladies, have no fear: date nights to the ballet will never be the same, becuase even guys will love NutRemix, performed by New Ballet Ensemble with the accompaniment of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Memphis Jazz Workshop. Dynamic choreography includes hip-hop, Memphis Jookin, Spanish dance, and African drumming. Your spouse won’t be found snoozing at this performance of the Nutcracker! Buy tickets at newballet.org/nutremix.

Miracle Pop Up at Hen House
Christmas cocktails? Christmas charcuterie? Sign us up. If you’ve been living in Memphis for more than a minute, then you’ll remember how The Liquor Store would be over-the-top decorated for Christmas, with gaudy Santas and tinsel everywhere. Since The Liquor Store closed, we feared the Miracle Pop Up would be of Christmas’ Past. But we’re THRILLED to learn Hen House will be the restaurant of Christmans Present. Use henhousewinebar.com for the menu and hours of operation.

A Merry Christmas Run : 5K/10K/Half
I’m probably not going to jingle all the way since I’m tired, but maybe you and your spouse are well rested and ready to run. Get sweaty together for a fun fitness date and see which one of you earns the medal in your age categories. Fleet Feet is sponsoring this race on Saturday, December 27th and you can sign up here.

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Remember when you and your lover would leave the house at 10pm for date nights and hit the bar for a night of drinking and debauchery with just a $20 budget? Well, on December 13th, you can relive your dating glory days. Except this bar crawl starts at 4pm, which is much more doable for our current stage of life. So don your ugliest holiday sweater and get ready to hit the pubs! Right now you can get 2 tickets for the price of one, so claim yours here. Be sure to eat something before you go, too. Your stomach isn’t 21 anymore.

Candlelight : Christmas Carols on Strings
Throughout the year, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art hosts string quartet concerts by candlelight. The small and intimate auditorium is aglow in hundreds of candles, making it absolutely romantic. You will also be breathtakingly beautiful, glowing in candlelight, and the flames of your love for each other will be evident to those around you! These events are fairly formal, and a perfect reason to get dressed up in your holiday best. Tickets starts at just $32 but they sell out incredibly quickly. Download the Fever app or purchase on the website.

Fire Pit Fridays at Tom Lee Park
On a tight date night budget? Fire Pit Fridays are FREE! Head downtown and enjoy the riverfront. On Friday, Dec. 5 get spicy with your spouse for “Salsa by the Fire.” Santa returns with friends from the Rumba Room for a fiery night of salsa dancing (see what we did there?). Enjoy a free dance lesson beginning at 5:30pm. Limited free s’mores fixings will also be available, skewers provided. Did we mention everything is FREE, thanks to Memphis River Parks?!

Graceland Christmas Tours
Better warm up your vocal chords and practice singing “I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas,” because you and your husband can enjoy the beauty of Elvis Presley’s Graceland decorated for the holidays with limited-time Christmas Tours, November 16th through December 23rd. See traditional lights and decorations, including hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, the traditional red velvet drapes and Presley family Christmas artifacts. There’s no better date than being a tourist in your very own city!

Ice Skating at the MidSouth Ice House
Ice Skating is the perfect date because you’re basically forced to hold hands the entire time. Not a good skater? Hold hands. A pretty decent skater? Hold hands while skating faster. Really good at skating? COUPLE TRICKS COMMENCE. As you whiz around the crying kids and frustrated parents, you’ll be gazing into each other’s eyes as you (romantically) glide over the ice. Don’t forget to sneak in some cold kisses and more hand holding. There is a special Holiday Cosmic Skate on December 19 and 20 from 7-10 pm. Check out the calendar on their website HERE.

Dinner and drinks inside the Peabody Hotel
Our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t add this iconic hotel to our list. The lobby is decked out in fabulously decorated Christmas trees and makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Get dressed up and enjoy a seasonal cocktail (or two) at The Lobby Bar or sit knee to knee near the famous water fountain. Dine at the award-winning Chez Philippe, enjoy steaks and Italian fare at Capriccio Grill, or casual bites at The Corner Bar. And who knows… maybe your date nights there will turn into … something all night long (insert eye wink) … in which case you’re at the perfect place to just go ahead a book a room!