Weird and date like or perfectly normal thing to do with a friend?

[Calccalc]

I have a spare ticket for a sports event this weekend because the friend I usually go with can't make it.

I've offered the ticket to another friend who agreed without hesitation. We'll get home c. 6pm on Saturday eve and I usually leave a food in the slow cooker to feed whoever's home when I get in. It could just be me, in which case it will feed me for the rest of the week, or it could be adult DSs and their girlfriends or any combination. They'd tell me their plans if I asked but they all work irregular hours so I find it easier to go with the flow. and it's lovely when there's leftovers and I don't have to cook during the week

On Saturday there's a free fireworks event in our town. I thought I'd suggest friend joins for food and then we go to the fireworks, which could mean dinner a deux, or a full on family meal.

So dinner and fireworks is a date, or perfectly normal thing to do with a friend when you've already been with him most of the day?

I'll be honest and say I'm not completely sure what I want from this fairly new "friendship".

I should say I genuinely offered him the ticket because he's the only person I know who's available and shares my interest in the sport, not because of any grand romantic plan.

As it’s a new rather than established friendship, yes, I think that makes it a bit date like. It has the potential to edge into evening drinks and coming back to yours. Though maybe a bit weird with adult dc about.

I think you probably need to decide what you want from this new ‘friendship’ before you suggest it becomes a whole evening extravaganza and meeting the kids.

It depends. What is the background to this friendship? Need more info on who they are really.

He does know the "kids". I know him through a hobby, which they're involved in too. DS2 has actually been away for the weekend with him (and me and other friends).

Assuming you're both adults you can spend time together without it being this hard and dramatic. It's an evening with a friend. It's not a date as neither have asked the other out on a date...

Yes, I realise I'm prone to over thinking.

But what's the difference between do you want to come to the game, have dinner and see some fireworks and asking someone on a date? Do people usually specify it's a date?

Yes