Friday Night Lights: Illuminated Date-Night Spots

Sarasota, with its stunning sunsets and vibrant cultural scene, is the perfect destination for a romantic evening out. And what better way to ignite the spark than with a date night that leaves you both a little starry-eyed? Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just wanting to spice up your love life, these illuminated date-night spots will shed some light on your connection. 

Board a Sunset Sail on Sarasota Bay 

Take a romantic cruise aboard the Key Sailing's sailboat or Marina Jack II cruise ship at golden hour (is there really any better time?). As the sun dips below the water's horizon line, and the sky does its daily dance of colors among the cloud, enjoy dusk's fading light. Soon, the city's skyline will start to twinkle with lights and the stars come out to play. 

Catch the Sarasota Water Lantern Festival

The annual Sarasota Water Lantern Festival will return this October at Nathan Benderson Park. Grab tickets for the two of you to enjoy a luminous show, featuring thousands of mesmerizing lanterns glowing and floating on the reflective waters. The tasty food trucks and live music add to the already-magical evening out. 

Check Out Ringling Underground

Put the kids to bed, call in a babysitter and head out to Ringling Underground, a special event thrown on the first Thursday of each month (February through April and August through October) on the gorgeous grounds of The Ringling. The nighttime shindig combines live music on a colorfully lit-up stage from an array of pop-culture bands and musicians, dancing, drinks, catered bites and an electric party atmosphere in the Museum of Art Courtyard under the Sarasota stars. Stay up to date for event announcements to secure your tickets!

Putt After Dark at PopStroke

Get ready for a hole-in-one at University Town Center's PopStroke mini golf courses. The greens are entirely lit by environmental lighting once the sun goes down, so you and your golf partner can enjoy a round of putt-putt, along with some evening drinks, ice cream and lawn games.

Hit Up Downtown Sarasota's Rooftops

Hop in the elevator and press the up button once the moon is at its brightest. Downtown Sarasota encompasses a number of stunning rooftops for you and your S.O. to take in Friday's night lights above, around and below you. Sip cocktails at skyline view while basking in the city's metropolitan starlight. 

Catch Mote Marine's Sharks After Dark

Head to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for a jawsome evening event. Sharks After Dark allows marine lovers to hang in the aquarium after-hours to see what sharks, stingrays and other marine creatures do when the sun goes down. If you and your honey are lovers of the sea, this is a cant-miss date night. Did we mention a shark-cuterie spread of snacks, stories about nocturnal species in our local waters and evening feedings in the illuminated habitat? Look out for the next event and snag your tickets!

Walk the Glowing Docks at Shore LBK

After a romantic dinner for two at Shore's Longboat Key location, grab a night-cap cocktail and walk out the wooden docks onto Sarasota Bay. You'll soon notice giant fish swimming in the underwater green glow of lights installed all around the dock platform. Did you know that green light travels through the water better than many other colors?

Experience Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens

If you and your honey happen to be in the Sarasota area around the holidays, you're in for a special gift of lights. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens puts on its annual Lights in Bloom® show for the entire month of December—featuring more than two million lights illuminating the coastal gardens and walkways. Get your holiday photo opportunity as a couple and enjoy the live entertainment and catered food of this ticketed event.

Join Forces for Escape Rooms Unlocked

Step into the "dark" by surrendering yourselves into the great unknown! Escape Rooms Unlocked has locations in both Sarasota and North Port, and included the popular Journey Into the Jungle game. Unravel the mystery together with cryptic clues and ancient puzzles in a darkly lit room. The clock's ticking!