The Stragglers LIVE at the Lazy Lizard
Free
Live music from The Stragglers at the Hernando Beach waterfront tiki bar, 5–9 PM.
Planning a night out? Hernando County has everything from candlelit fine dining and waterfront tables to breweries, wine tastings, live music and unbeatable Gulf sunsets. Here are our favorite spots for a memorable date night.
Date Night in Hernando County
96Phantasmagoria (Fox Fam Jam)
Ticketed
A multi-day jam-band music and camping festival presented by Fox Fam Jam at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Rich Sheldon Live at Broad Street Brewing
Free
Singer-guitarist Rich Sheldon returns for a free solo acoustic set (6 PM) at Broad Street Brewing Co. in downtown Brooksville.
Borderline Live at Marker 48
Free
Rock and country cover band Borderline plays a free live set at Marker 48 Brewing.
Sparacia Winery: Redfoot (Sammy Hagar Tribute)
Ticketed
A Sammy Hagar tribute concert at the hilltop muscadine winery, doors 6 PM / show 7 PM.
Ashley Lux Band at the Lazy Lizard
Free
Live music from the Ashley Lux Band at the waterfront tiki bar on the canal, from 6 PM.
Art & Ales: Round 2 at Tidal Brewing
Free entry; VIP ticketed
A live competitive-painting event (with Roots Creative Co.) pairing local artists and craft beer, where artists create works inspired by attendee suggestions.
Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk
Free
A first-Saturday waterfront art walk with local artists showing and selling work on the porches of the Silver Dolphin, 10 AM–2 PM.
A Night at The Olive Grove: Igor & the Red Elvises
$20 adv / $25 door
A Mediterranean dinner-and-concert evening at the Olive Grove featuring surf-rockabilly band Igor & the Red Elvises, starting 5 PM.
Snowman Trio Paint Night at Tidal Brewing
Ticketed class
A guided Craft Social Florida class to paint and decorate a laser-cut three-snowman holiday display, with a food truck on site and brewery drinks available, 1–3 PM.
Florida Winter Music Festival
Ticketed
A multi-day music festival.
Friday Night Live: The Gaturz
Free
The free downtown concert series returns with The Gaturz, plus an artisan market, food trucks, and a full bar, 6:30–9:30 PM.
Sparacia Winery: The Michael Allman Band
Ticketed
A blues-and-soul concert from Michael Allman (son of Gregg Allman), presented by WRP at the winery, 7–10 PM.
Saltwater Cowboys LIVE at the Lazy Lizard
Free
A live country and Southern-rock set from the Saltwater Cowboys on the water, 6–10 PM.
Fireflies & Fine Wine
$55–$100 (21+)
An outdoor evening of food, wine and live music (violin, piano and vocals) in a lantern-lit forest setting; ticket sales benefit The Arc Nature Coast.
Sparacia Winery: Selwyn Birchwood
Ticketed
Award-winning Florida blues guitarist Selwyn Birchwood brings his electric blues band to the winery.
Blues Rock Revival Fest at Sparacia Winery
Ticketed
A multi-band blues-and-rock festival on the lawn at the hilltop muscadine winery, 1–8 PM.
Cornucopia Music Festival
See listing
A multi-day live-music and camping festival at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Candlelight: Bad Bunny & Fleetwood Mac Tributes
From $36
Two candlelit tribute concerts in one evening at a new Spring Hill venue — Bad Bunny on strings (6:30 PM) and Fleetwood Mac (8:45 PM), performed by a live string ensemble.
Paint & Sip at Sparacia Winery
Ticketed
A guided paint-and-sip night at the hilltop muscadine winery — all materials provided, wine available by the glass or bottle, from 7 PM.
The Supply Chain at Marker 48 (November)
Free
The Supply Chain returns for a free live set at Marker 48 Brewing, 7 PM.
Sparacia Winery: Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith Tribute)
$30–$42
A Toby Keith country tribute with food trucks at the hilltop vineyard, 6–10 PM.
Chas Collins at Timber Pines
Ticketed
A live concert by singer-songwriter Chas Collins at the Timber Pines Performing Arts Center.
Free Open Mic Night in Brooksville
Free
An all-ages open mic night for music, poetry, comedy and more at The Artist's Realm downtown.
Thanksgiving Eve Party at Tidal Brewing
See venue
A Thanksgiving-eve taproom party at the Spring Hill brewery with craft beer, food and a festive crowd the night before the holiday.
Sparacia Winery: The Pure Zeppelin Experience
$30–$47
A Led Zeppelin tribute on Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival
Ticketed
A Thanksgiving-weekend bluegrass festival at the ranch.
First Fridays: Vinyl Night at Tidal Brewing
Free
A monthly first-Friday vinyl listening night at the brewery with Grandaddy Records spinning records from their crates.
Fred George's Circus at The Lazy Lizard
Free
A recurring Wednesday live-music-and-food night with local act Fred George's Circus on the Hernando Beach waterfront, music from 5 PM, running through the spring.
Sparacia Winery: The Sting Police (Police Tribute)
$30–$42
A tribute to The Police and Sting on the winery's outdoor concert stage, 6–10 PM.
Weeki Wachee Winds Holiday Concert (Spring Hill UCC)
Free (offering)
A free holiday concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Spring Hill United Church of Christ.
Borderline Live at Uptown Bar & Grill
Free
High-energy cover band Borderline returns for a late live set (8:30 PM) at Uptown Bar & Grill inside Strike City.
8th Annual Florida Cracker Christmas
Ticketed
An outdoor Christmas country-music concert at the Jack Daniel's Amphitheatre headlined by Grits & Glamour (Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan), Darryl Worley and Julia Golden; gates 5 PM, show 6–10:30 PM, all ages.
Weeki Wachee Winds Holiday Concert (Nativity Lutheran)
Free (offering)
A free holiday concert by the Weeki Wachee Winds community band, 2 PM at Nativity Lutheran Church.
Sparacia Winery: Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel
$30–$47
A Simon & Garfunkel tribute concert with wine and food trucks at the vineyard, 6–9:45 PM.
Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons + Hans Zimmer
From $40.50
A candlelit string-quartet double-bill — a Coldplay & Imagine Dragons tribute (6 PM) and The Best of Hans Zimmer (8:30 PM) by candlelight.
Sparacia Winery: Almighty Queen (Queen Tribute)
See tickets
A Queen tribute concert at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery, 6 PM.
An Evening with Peg & Em (Peacock Theater)
Ticketed
An intimate live-music evening with Peg & Em at the winery's cozy Peacock Theater, 7:30–9:45 PM.
Christkindlmarket at Tidal Brewing
Free entry
A European-style holiday market at the brewery.
Michelle Ingrham — Live at the Peacock
Ticketed
Singer Michelle Ingrham performs a live set at the intimate Peacock Theater at Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery, 7:30–9:30 PM.
Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings
From $40.50
A candlelit string-quartet tribute to Juan Gabriel (6 PM) performed by a live ensemble.
Masaryk Wine Run 5K
$25
A 5K run/walk at the winery.
Sparacia Winery: Jack Connor
Ticketed
A live-music performance from Jack Connor at the hilltop muscadine winery, 7 PM.
Dueling Pianos Dinner & Show at Farm of Dreams
Ticketed
An interactive dueling-pianos dinner show where the audience drives the song requests, served with dinner at Farm of Dreams, 6:30–8:30 PM.
Stage West Concert: Dueling Pianos
$40
An interactive, request-driven dueling-pianos show.
Florida Americana Music Fest
Ticketed
An Americana roots-music festival weekend.
Sparacia Winery: Ultimate Rush (Rush Tribute)
$30–$47
A Rush tribute concert at the hilltop muscadine winery, 7 PM.
Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival
See site
A family- and dog-friendly five-day camping festival of funk, jam and live electronic music at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Nature Coast Parrot Head Club Phlocking (Mike Archer)
See venue
A Jimmy Buffett-style 'phlocking' social with live tropical-rock music by Mike Archer on the water at the Bayport Inn, 5:30–9:30 PM.
Will McLean Music Festival
Tickets & camping (see site)
The beloved Florida folk festival honoring the 'Father of Florida Folk' — three days of songwriters and campground picking.
Friday Night Live (March)
Free
The free downtown concert series in spring swing.
Blues Bash Free Thursday Night
Free (camping extra)
A free Thursday-night kickoff concert ahead of the 8th annual Blues Bash at the Ranch.
Blues Bash at the Ranch
Ticketed
A multi-day blues festival with camping at the music ranch.
Sparacia Winery: Ultimate Floyd (Pink Floyd Tribute)
$30–$47
A Pink Floyd tribute concert at the hilltop muscadine winery, 7 PM.
Friday Night Live (April)
Free
Free downtown concert with a market, food trucks, and full bar.
R&R Reunion Pre-Festival Night
Free (camping extra)
A free pre-festival reunion night of live music ahead of the 9th annual Rock & Roll Revival.
Rock & Roll Revival (9th Annual)
Multi & single-day
A camping-optional festival celebrating 1960s–70s rock on 80+ acres.
Gone Country at the Ranch (2nd Annual)
See site
A country music and camping festival returning for its second year at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
Sunshine Get Down Festival
Ticketed
A multi-day jam-band music and camping festival.
Stage West Concert: The Orlando Rat Pack
$40
A Sinatra / Rat Pack tribute concert.
Stage West Concert: Nearly Diamond (Neil Diamond Tribute)
$40
A Neil Diamond tribute concert at Stage West, doors 6 PM.
Stage West Concert: Liverpool Live (Beatles Tribute)
$40
A Beatles tribute concert at Stage West, doors 6 PM.
Weekend live music and Sunday karaoke at the market's Center Stage tiki bar.
Interpretive markers recall the vanished 19th-century Civil War-era shipping port — now just markers, marsh, and the county's best sunsets.
$$–$$$ · entrees $14–30
A relaxed nicer seafood house near the Bayport waterfront — outdoor deck, live music, all-you-can-eat shrimp and prime rib.
Parking $10/day
Waterfront park at the mouth of the Weeki Wachee River — boat ramp, fishing pier, kayak launch.
$$$ · entrees $18–32
Polished-casual wood-grilled seafood with a strong wine & martini bar — home of the famous Bang Bang Shrimp. A reliable date-night option.
$$–$$$ · entrees $18–34
Spanish/Mediterranean-fusion fine dining with creative tapas-influenced plates, live music and an elegant beachside atmosphere.
Free entry
A downtown Brooksville brewery with weekend live music.
$$–$$$ · entrees $18–42
An urban-style steakhouse & grill — steak au poivre, ribeye, lamb chops and mahi mahi in a casual-but-elevated setting.
A downtown taproom and bourbon bar with occasional acoustic live music.
Ticketed
A large outdoor concert and camping venue hosting jam-band and country festivals.
Free live music downtown with an artisan market, food trucks, and a full bar.
From $49.50
Guided clear-bottom kayak tours on the Weeki Wachee River; manatee-season and LED sunset paddles too.
$$–$$$ · entrees $16–29
Authentic old-school Italian — veal butchered on premises, handmade pasta, osso buco and veal marsala in an intimate dining room.
Parking varies — see county site
Picnic pavilions, a playground, a kayak launch and a boardwalk — a birding and sunset favorite. The old observation tower was removed; a replacement is planned.
Free entry
The county's flagship craft brewery with a big beer garden, live music, food, and events.
Free entry
The flagship brewery's beer garden hosts live music and food trucks on select weekends.
Free tastings
A family winery making blueberry, blackberry & hibiscus wines, with a farm-to-table cafe, house-baked desserts, and U-pick fruit. Open Fri–Sun.
$$$$ · entrees $28–55
The county's most formal room — authentic French/Belgian fine dining. Dover sole meunière, duck confit, chateaubriand for two. A true special-occasion destination.
A causeway with the Gulf on one side and marsh on the other — a locals' sunset pull-off and morning wildlife walk.
$$$ · entrees $15–39
A long-standing white-tablecloth date-night spot — upscale Italian with prime steaks and seafood. Try the Shrimp Joe or Zuppa di Pesce.
$$$$ · entrees $32–68
An independent fine-dining steakhouse with premium hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and lobster tail in an upscale, wine-focused room.
A waterfront spot with a heated patio plus a country store selling fudge, candy, and ice cream.
Price varies (call 352-556-2079)
Axe throwing and escape rooms with beer & wine, rotating food trucks, karaoke and music-bingo nights.
Free–$47
A winery with a heavy tribute-band calendar plus reggae, blues, and food-truck nights.
~$7 tasting
Wine tastings at the hilltop muscadine winery (Wed–Sun); most weekends bring tribute-band concerts and food trucks.
$$–$$$ · entrees $16–39
An eclectic American bistro in historic downtown — wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, swordfish with lobster glace and surf & turf.
Free (Thu)
A rustic music farm with a weekly Thursday jam and singer-songwriter listening-room shows.
Free
The beach's most active live-music spot — a waterfront tiki bar on the canal, most weekends.
Riverside dining on the Withlacoochee River in Nobleton with weekend live music.
Free entry
A craft brewery with a packed weekly calendar — trivia, open mic, vinyl nights, and seasonal festivals.
Win live plants at Plant Bingo, plus charity bingo fundraisers on select dates.
Free (most)
Open-mic nights, trivia, monthly vinyl nights, a book club, plant bingo, and networking socials.
No cover
A full week of entertainment — dance parties, Thursday karaoke, Latin Fridays, and Saturday bands.
Call to confirm
The waterfront post's Sunday game; public welcome, kitchen on site.
Keep exploring
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Hernando County?
I built this guide to help neighbors and newcomers fall in love with the area. When it's time to make a move, I'd be honored to help you or anyone you refer.
Keith Rainville
REALTOR® · Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners
keithrainville.com
