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October 2026 in Miami Gardens: Karol G, Canes vs. FSU, Carnival, and Your Ballot
October brings concerts, rivalry football, Carnival, and an election to Miami Gardens.
October is one of the busiest months of the year in Miami Gardens. Karol G opens the month with two stadium shows, the Canes host Florida State in the biggest rivalry game of the season, Carnival weekend brings the Caribbean to town, and the November 3 election deadlines arrive fast. Here is everything to put on your calendar.
Monday, October 5: voter registration deadline for the November 3 election. Saturday, October 17: Florida State vs. Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. Monday, October 19: early voting begins in Miami-Dade County.
October at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 1 to 31 | Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Citywide |
| Fri. and Sat., Oct. 2 to 3 | Karol G, Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Mon., Oct. 5 | Voter registration deadline | Online, by mail, or in person |
| Fri., Oct. 9 | Citrus, a Miami Carnival Friday fete | Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | Bengals vs. Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | Miami Carnival Parade and Fete | Lauderhill |
| Thu., Oct. 15 | Hispanic Heritage Month ends; stone crab season opens | Citywide |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Florida State vs. Miami, time TBD | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Oct. 19 to Nov. 1 | Early voting | Any Miami-Dade early voting site |
| Thu., Oct. 22 | Vote-by-mail request deadline, 5:00 p.m. | Miami-Dade Elections |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Pitt vs. Miami, time TBD | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | FMU Homecoming vs. Thomas | Betty T. Ferguson Stadium |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Halloween | Citywide |
Karol G kicks off the month
Karol G brings her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour to Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. These are two of the biggest concert nights of the year in Miami Gardens, so expect heavy traffic around the stadium both evenings. Our Karol G guide covers tickets, parking, and tips for show night.
Football at Hard Rock Stadium
Canes vs. Florida State, Saturday, October 17
This is the one. The Hurricanes are 4-0 after beating Central Michigan 52-3, and they play at Clemson on October 3 before Florida State comes to Miami Gardens. Kickoff time has not been announced yet. A week later, on October 24, the Canes host Pitt at home.
Dolphins vs. Bengals, Sunday, October 11
The Dolphins play at Minnesota on October 4, then return home to host Cincinnati at 1:00 p.m. on October 11. It is their only home game in October, and Miami is still looking for its first win after an 0-3 start. Plan ahead with our Hard Rock Stadium parking guide.
Carnival weekend
Miami Carnival takes over South Florida during the week leading up to Columbus Day weekend, and Miami Gardens' Caribbean community is a big part of it. On Friday, October 9, Citrus, a Miami Carnival Friday fete, comes to the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. The Miami Carnival Parade and Fete closes out the festival on Sunday, October 11, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
Heads up: Carnival Sunday is also the Dolphins' home game day, so give yourself extra time if you are headed in either direction.
FMU Homecoming
Florida Memorial University, the city's own historically Black university, celebrates homecoming on Saturday, October 24, when the Lions host Thomas at Betty T. Ferguson Stadium. It is a big moment for a school that reports enrollment of 2,556 students this fall, about double last year. The Canes host Pitt the same day, so it will be a full Saturday of football across the city.
Your November 3 ballot: key dates
Miami Gardens voters will settle the City Council Seat 4 runoff on November 3, along with county, state, and federal races. Here is what to know this month:
Register by Monday, October 5
That is the deadline to register to vote or update your address for the November 3 general election.
Request a mail ballot by Thursday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m.
Completed vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Under Florida law, vote-by-mail requests must be renewed for future election cycles, so check that yours is active.
Vote early from October 19 to November 1
Miami-Dade County is offering 28 early voting locations starting at 7:00 a.m. daily, and you can vote at any of them. You can also drop off your mail ballot at an early voting site during early voting hours.
Health and community
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are due for a screening, our guide to getting a mammogram in Miami Gardens covers your options, including free or low-cost screening for eligible residents. Hispanic Heritage Month also continues through October 15.
City events, community programs, and Halloween activities are added to the calendar throughout the month. Check the City of Miami Gardens calendar at miamigardens-fl.gov or call 305-622-8000, and see our guide to annual events in Miami Gardens. For a bite before any game or show, browse our list of restaurants near Hard Rock Stadium.
Frequently asked questions
What events are at Hard Rock Stadium in October 2026?
Hard Rock Stadium hosts Karol G on October 2 and 3, Bengals vs. Dolphins on October 11 at 1:00 p.m., Florida State vs. Miami on October 17, and Pitt vs. Miami on October 24. Kickoff times for the Canes games had not been announced as of September 30.
When is the voter registration deadline for the November 3, 2026 election in Miami-Dade?
The voter registration deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m., and early voting runs October 19 through November 1.
When is Florida Memorial University homecoming 2026?
Florida Memorial University homecoming is Saturday, October 24, 2026, when the Lions host Thomas at Betty T. Ferguson Stadium in Miami Gardens.
When is Miami Carnival 2026?
Miami Carnival runs the week leading up to Columbus Day weekend, with the Miami Carnival Parade and Fete on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
Event dates and times are based on published schedules as of September 30, 2026, and may change. Confirm with organizers, Hard Rock Stadium, or the Miami-Dade Elections Department before you go. Published: September 30, 2026.
