34 Unique and Romantic Valentines Day Ideas in Christchurch
An experience is the best type of Valentine’s Day gift you can give someone – and you get to do it too (who doesn’t love a gift that gives back). There is something for everyone and every budget in Christchurch!
Free and Low-Budget Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be full of expensive gifts or over-the-top romantic gestures. It could be as simple as cooking your favourite comfort food from the comfort of your own home, writing each other love letters or just enjoying the outdoors on a scenic hike around the forests or coastline in Christchurch.
Cook a Delicious Breakfast
Cooking is a sure way to win your significant other’s heart! Instead of spending all of your money taking them out for an overpriced avocado on toast, make your own breakfast featuring pancakes, fresh fruit and eggs (cooked your way, to your liking!). With so many recipes online for you to peruse, you are sure to win Valentine’s Day with your home-cooked meal.
Scenic Hike
If you are more of an adventurous couple that enjoys getting outdoorsy or you’re looking for a first date idea, a hike might be the perfect Valentine’s day date for you.
A Walk in the Forest
Bottle Lake Forest (Blue Track) is an extensive working pine plantation. It runs along the coast and offers a wide range of tracks that are perfect for mountain biking, horse riding and walking. Bottle Lake Forest is a flat 11.4km track that should take anywhere between 1.5-2 hours to complete. If you are looking for a more leisurely option to woo your loved one on Valentine’s Day, there is an option for a 4km walk along the coast if the 11km is feeling a little overwhelming.
Historical and Hilly
Bridle path is a steep track that will take you to breathtaking views of the city, Southern Alps and Banks Peninsula. Built originally in 1850 for Canterbury’s first European settlers, there are memorial seats along the way with a shelter at the top to commemorate the pioneer women of Canterbury. The walk will take you around 2 hours return. The perfect way to enjoy Valentine’s Day and spend quality time together all while learning the history of Christchurch.
Coastal Views
Taylors Mistake at Godley Head is an iconic hike that provides views of stunning coastal scenery and lots of opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife! It is a 3-hour round trip along a 7km well-maintained track so make sure you leave enough time to explore historic military buildings that have been left behind. If weather permits we recommend packing a picnic (don’t forget chocolate-covered strawberries to score some bonus points!).
Pamper With a Bubble Bath
The perfect date night starts with a relaxing environment. If you would like your special someone to unwind – start with a bubble bath. To create the perfect environment, light some candles, play relaxing music, and you are sure to have the most romantic night.
Movie Marathon
The ultimate movie marathon starts and begins with the best snacks. Think popcorn, Maltesers and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream with a side of tea to settle it all in nicely. Set up your space to be romantic with fairy lights, pillows and blankets. Once you have done this, all you need to do is supply the perfect combination of romantic comedies and sappy love movies. To make things easier, we have compiled a list of our 10 favourites below:
- When Harry Met Sally
- How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
- The Notebook
- 50 First Dates
- 500 Days Of Summer
- A Star Is Born
- Walk The Line
- About A Boy
- Titanic
- Love, Rosie
Plan a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a different but fun way to show your partner how much you care on Valentine’s Day! Work out your location and prizes and put together a series of hints and clues that can keep your partner intrigued and guessing. We would suggest a few gifts along the way to keep them motivated. It is important to also keep your partner’s interest in mind, if they love puzzles add a series of riddles, if not, we would stick to some well-thought-out hints that centre around your relationship. Writing them down also creates a cute love note for your partner!
Create a Couples Signature Cocktail
A signature drink is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and continue to celebrate in a unique way, every year. Start with your favourite spirits and work out your ideal flavours. Try your best to incorporate both of your palettes so you can both continue to love it and pair it with your sweet memories for many years to come!
Fun Activities
Fun activities are a great way to make some sweet memories with your special someone and you also get to do some things that are probably on your bucket list – it’s a win win!
Pinot & Picasso
If you are looking for the perfect balance of creativity and fun on a date night, Pinot & Picasso Christchurch is the ultimate date night activity for Valentine’s Day! Pair your favourite person with your favourite bottle of Vino to enjoy while releasing your inner Picasso!
With a wide range of artworks to create, Pinot and Picasso is perfect for beginners, art novices or professionals themselves!
Ice Skating
There is nothing more romantic than skating along the ice with your special someone by your side. Whether you can do flips, twists and turns or just simply love to cruise along the ice, Christchurch has ice skating rinks right in the middle of the CBD! We recommend trying Alpine Ice Sports Centre & MoveX Trampoline and Ice Skating
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is the perfect way to get to know someone in a laid-back and comfortable environment while getting some great exercise. With options for everyone, experienced climber or not, rock climbing as a Valentine’s Day location could be your best idea yet!
YMCA Christchurch is an experienced and affordable climbing option. Or if you are feeling more adventurous – Try Uprising Bouldering (it’s Rock Climbing without the Ropes and Harness).
Comedy Show
Taking your date to a Comedy Show will let them know that not only do you have a fantastic sense of humour but you have put a lot of thought and effort into the night. Whether you start the night off with a few drinks or a romantic dinner, taking them out for a comedy show is a fun and relaxing way of getting to know each other.
Cooking Class
Don’t fall into the rhythm of repetitive date nights or cooking the same meal over and over again. Make Valentine’s Day special this year with a cooking class! Whether you are doing a virtual cooking class from home or going out to experience it, it is a great way to learn and improve your culinary skills and bond with your better half. Riverside Kitchen has a wide range of classes for different skill levels and cuisines or if you are looking for a more cuisine-specific class, Asian Garden Cooking School has a wide range of classes for you to choose from.
Dance Lesson
Flirty and intimate – a dance lesson is a fun activity and a great way to bond with a new spark or reignite the flame with your long-term partner. Learn a great skill, get close and have fun with a Valentine’s Day Dance Lesson at Salsa Latina!
Maori Experience Day
Learning about your local culture to understand better the perspectives of the world in which we live. Such knowledge promotes personal growth while enabling you to learn new things about your culture. Immerse yourself in the Maori culture this Valentine’s Day and learn more about the country you live in. Paddle along the Ōtākaro Avon River in a hand-crafted waka or look up into the night sky and discover the role astronomy has taken in Maori culture with an interactive tour inside Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Project.
Work as a Team in the Escape Rooms
Leave a lasting impression with a Valentine’s Day Escape Room! Navigating through an escape room is a unique and stand-out date night that will give you plenty to talk about! Christchurch’s Escape Artists features 6 different rooms to choose from (or you could do all 6 if you are game enough).
Luxury Valentine’s Day Ideas
If you are wanting to take a more luxurious path on your Valentine’s Day, why not plan an exciting night out right in the heart of your own city?
Couples Massage
Unwind, relax and treat yourselves to an incredible couples massage. Not only is it fantastic for your physical and mental health but it also increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin which are all associated with intimate feelings and physical attraction. Sharing this experience together could potentially result in a greater amount of mutual affection long after your Valentine’s Day together.
Lotus Day Spa has been voted TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Award in 2021 and 2022 – so you know you will be in good hands here!
Helicopter Ride
It may seem like an extravagant Valentine’s Day date but believe us when we say it is SO worth it. Treat yourselves to a helicopter ride over Christchurch CBD and see the city as you have never seen it before. Whether you are looking for a scenic flight or a picnic on your journey, Garden City Helicopters is the company for you!
Hire a boat
Whether you are a lover of the ocean or just want to see the night sky from a different perspective, hiring a boat may be one of our best Valentine’s Day ideas yet. Set up a romantic dinner and paddle across the water with Groynes Boat Hire or jump on a day cruise and swim with dolphins with Black Cat Nature Cruises!
Fine Dining Tasting Menu
Forget the local pub or the cafe you always go to for breakfast and think more along the lines of a lavish night out with the many fine dining options in Christchurch. Christchurch is home to some of the best restaurants on the south island, so keep an eye out and dazzle your significant other with quality time together and a fantastic feed.
Sightseeing & a Fine Meal
The Tramway Restaurant is the only dining tramcar and their menu is full of premium local cuisines and beverages. Not only can you enjoy a fine dining experience, but you also get to explore Christchurch at night!
Fairy Lit Dining
Located in Stranges Lane in the heart of Christchurch, Soul Quatre is designed to be a little bit extra – from specially selected drinks to the attentive service – you are sure to have an incredible night. Dine in a fairy lit courtyard in summer or by the fire in winter, Soul Quater is a culinary experience that you won’t forget!
Hit up the Wineries
It’s no secret that the North Canterbury Wine Region is home to some of the best wines in New Zealand. With award-winning wines right across Christchurch, this is an absolute must for wine lovers! Not only does wine tasting allow for an intimate date idea, but it is a great way to support local winemakers. Book your Valentine’s Day day out with Waipara’s best! We recommend: Pegasus Bay Winery, Black Estate and Torlesse Wines (just to name a few!)
Choose the Best Valentine’s Day Getaways
Champagne, and rose petals scattered over your room – what could be more romantic? Below is a list of the best Valentine’s Day getaways around Christchurch!
A Sustainable Stay
Environmentally conscious? Look no further than Eco Villa! Restored to help contribute to the Christchurch built post-earthquake, the owners have transformed it into a boutique hotel! Featuring outdoor baths, a fully equipped kitchen and a zero-waste breakfast!
Nature Escape
The Greystone PurePod is a nature escape like no other. Situated above the Greystone Vineyard, walls made of heavy duty glass and sliding doors on three sides, you can see everything from the skies above to the rolling hills in front of you. This getaway is perfect for a couple that is wanting to isolate themselves from the world around them.
Affordable & Scenic
If a luxury escape is out of the budget this year, then why not try the Onuku Farm Hostel? With a choice of a farmhouse stay, camping ground with tent sites, huts and stargazers or your own private hut, Onuku is a beautiful stay with 430 hectares of coastal farm and bush scenery. Dolphin swimming and kayak trips are also on the cards if you are feeling adventurous!
How to Win Valentine’s Day!
Whether you whisk your loved one away for a night of luxury, take them on a long hike along the coastline, sip and paint at Pinot and Picasso, or prefer a night in of romantic movies and chocolate fondue you are sure to have a romantic day if you spend it with your loved one. With so much to do in Christchurch, you are ready to plan the ultimate v day experience for your significant other.
FAQ’s
Do You Need Experience for a Sip and Paint Class?
Nope! No experience needed whatsoever. Whether you are an art novice or Picasso himself, we aim to make everyone feel comfortable and free to express their creativity in our sessions
Can We Bring Food?
Yes, of course, you can! We recommend purchasing a grazing board from our local suppliers but if you would like to make your own cheeseboard, or bring food in – you are more than welcome to!
How Long Does a Sip and Paint Class Last?
Our classes run for three hours which is plenty of time for you to create your masterpiece and some incredible memories with your loved ones!
