7 Surprising Reasons an Empty Nester Should Absolutely See the Savannah Bananas

Saying Yes to the Unexpected: Why This Empty Nester Was Thrilled to Finally See the Savannah Bananas

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Last Saturday, I finally saw the Savannah Bananas at Nationals Park—and I’m still smiling.

I’d first spotted them on TikTok last year and instantly thought, this looks ridiculously fun. I tried to get tickets back then, but like many others, I got shut out of their ticket lottery. (Yup—there’s a waitlist, and you can’t just buy tickets. It’s a whole thing.) So when a friend scored tickets and invited us to join her and her husband for a game, I jumped at the chance.

And let me tell you—it absolutely lived up to the hype.

If you're in the empty nest phase and looking for fun that doesn't involve an early dinner and a streaming queue, this Savannah Bananas empty nester night out might just be exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

1. It’s More Than a Game—It’s Full-On Joy Theater

Think Broadway meets baseball meets a flash mob—and then toss in a guest appearance from Wilson Ramos. The Bananas don’t just play; they perform. Players danced, sang, did trick plays, and tossed bananas into the crowd. (Yes, bananas. I saw people try to catch them like it was the bouquet at a wedding.)

The night included:

• A singing princess named Princess Potassia

• TikTok-worthy dances performed live

• Field games involving kids from the audience

• Players dancing in the stands—even in the upper decks

And every show is different. You could go again and still be surprised.

And a quick note on the crowd: people go all-in on the Bananas theme. I saw tons of folks dressed in yellow, wearing banana-print shirts, tutus, and full-on Savannah Bananas gear—some clearly bought ahead of time, some grabbed at the game.

If you want to get in on the fun (and look like you belong on Team Banana), I recommend ordering ahead so you’re not limited to what’s left at the merch stand.

2. You Don’t Have to Arrive Early to Enjoy It All

Official events started in the early afternoon—2:00pm—but we rolled in around 5:30pm, and it was perfect. We didn’t feel like we missed a thing. The show doesn’t actually start until 6:30pm, and the energy ramps up quickly once you're inside

.

Pro tip: Aim for shaded seats like we had along third base. It was a hot day, and I was grateful we weren’t baking. And, if you're really someone who will wilt in the heat, I'd recommend bringing a small cooling fan.

3. It’s Actually Comfortable—If You Plan Ahead

Let me save you from making the rookie mistake I almost made: NATS Park doesn’t allow regular purses or backpacks. I saw some people with clear plastic bags (allowed), but also saw people turned away for bringing clear backpacks (not allowed).

I wore lightweight hiking pants with zippered pockets and didn’t have to worry about juggling my stuff—a good move since we were walking to and from the Metro and needed to stay light and mobile.

Also: we took the Metro, which worked well getting there. Going home? Not so much. There was a bit of a wait and crowd crush. Next time, I’ll stay a bit longer and grab a drink or dinner in Navy Yard, the neighborhood right outside the stadium. It’s packed with great restaurants, bars, and waterfront views, making it the perfect place to wind down and wait for the post-game rush to die down

If you do want to bring a bag into Nats Park, take a look at this clear bag, which was very similar to what I saw many people carrying.

4. Everyone Feels Included—Even in the Nosebleeds

Even if you’re not sitting right by the dugout, you’re part of the show. Players tossed T-shirts into the stands, sprinted into the upper decks, and genuinely worked the crowd. It didn’t matter that we were a few rows up—we were in the action.

It reminded me how rare it is to attend a live event that makes everyone feel seen.

5. It’s Good, Clean, Multi-Generational Fun

There’s no bad age to see the Bananas. We were surrounded by families with toddlers, college kids on summer break, and people our age who were clearly there for a good time (and maybe a little nostalgic joy). It’s upbeat, wholesome, and surprisingly unifying—especially when you’re all belting out song lyrics together.

6. It Reminds You to Say Yes to Weird, Wonderful Stuff

I almost didn’t go—last year I tried to get tickets after falling down the Savannah Bananas rabbit hole on TikTok, but didn’t make it through their lottery. That’s how popular they are. You can’t just buy tickets when the mood strikes; you have to join their waitlist and be invited to purchase when your name comes up.

So when my friend texted and said she had scored tickets and asked if we wanted to come along, it was an easy yes.

And I’m so glad we did.

There’s something powerful about saying yes to things that are just plain silly. No “productive” outcome. Just delight. And that’s something we forget to do as adults.

7. You’ll Talk About It for Weeks

I didn’t just leave with photos—I left with stories. (And so many pictures of bananas mid-flight.) This is the kind of evening you’ll casually bring up at brunch, in the group chat, or while reminiscing on vacation—because it’s that memorable.

And it’s exactly the kind of joyful, unexpected memory that makes this phase of life so rich.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be a sports fan to love the Savannah Bananas. You just have to be open to a little weirdness, a lot of laughs, and the kind of communal joy you didn’t know you were missing.

Want tips on what to pack, how to get there, and what to do after the game? Stay tuned for my follow-up post:👉 “What to Bring to a Savannah Bananas Game (And What I Wish I Had Known in Advance)”