This Weekend
This Weekend in Miami Gardens: FSU Night, Laugh It Off, and Early Voting on Deck
Saturday night belongs to the Canes and Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium.
This weekend in Miami Gardens revolves around one night. On Saturday, the unbeaten Canes host Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium while the city's Laugh It Off comedy show fills the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex just up the road. Add stone crab season and early voting starting Monday, and here is everything to plan around.
Friday: High school football, including Monsignor Pace at Lely. Saturday: Florida State at No. 3 Miami, 7:00 p.m., and Laugh It Off, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday: A quiet day, with the Dolphins on their bye. Monday: Early voting begins.
Friday, October 16
High school football
Monsignor Pace travels to Lely in Naples for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, looking for its fourth straight win. Carol City's schedule lists this as GMAC tournament week, and its next regular-season game is October 23 at Mater Academy. Confirm schedules with the schools. Catch up on last week in our Week 8 recap.
Stone crab season is open
The season opened Thursday, October 15. If you are planning a weekend seafood night, see our guide to where to get stone crabs near Miami Gardens.
Saturday, October 17
Florida State at No. 3 Miami
7:00 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, on ESPN. The 5-0 Canes host their biggest rival in prime time. Parking lots open about five hours before kickoff, so expect traffic around the stadium from mid-afternoon into late night. Our FSU vs. Miami guide has parking, timing, and stadium rules.
Laugh It Off: Healing Through Laughter
6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 NW 199th Street. Comedians Kyle Grooms, Steve Brown, and Tight Mike Randolph headline this breast cancer awareness comedy night. Registration is through Eventbrite. With game traffic nearby, plan to arrive early. Read our Laugh It Off preview.
Sunday, October 18
The Dolphins are on their bye week, so Sunday is a rare quiet day around Hard Rock Stadium. It is a good day to review your sample ballot before early voting opens.
Coming Monday: early voting begins
Early voting for the November 3 election runs Monday, October 19, through Sunday, November 1, with sites opening at 7:00 a.m. North Dade Regional Library, 2455 NW 183rd Street, is the early voting site in Miami Gardens, and you can vote at any site in the county. See our early voting guide. Also on Monday, Military Mondays returns to Betty T. Ferguson from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Weekend tips
Saturday is the day to plan around. If you are not going to the game or the comedy show, run errands Friday evening or Saturday morning. If you are, give yourself extra time, especially between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. as game crowds arrive.
See our city events roundup and our October events guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening in Miami Gardens this weekend?
October 16 to 18, 2026, brings Friday high school football, Florida State vs. No. 3 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and the Laugh It Off comedy show at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex on Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
What time is FSU vs Miami on October 17, 2026?
Florida State at Miami kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, on ESPN.
Are the Dolphins playing this weekend?
No. The Miami Dolphins are on their bye week. They play at the New York Jets on October 25.
When does early voting start in Miami-Dade?
Early voting starts Monday, October 19, 2026, and runs through Sunday, November 1.
Event details are from the City of Miami Gardens, event organizers, and published schedules as of October 14, 2026, and may change. Confirm before you go. Published: October 15, 2026.
