South Florida Events in October and November 2026: What to Plan Now

Planning South Florida events in October 2026 or looking ahead to Miami events in November 2026? Start with your weekend, choose the kind of outing your group enjoys, and build the rest of the day around one main event.

As of October 7, this guide focuses on eight upcoming weekends across Miami-Dade and Broward, beginning October 9-11, with picks for food lovers, music fans, families, sports fans and couples. It is a curated planning list, not a complete calendar, and the weekend headings are planning windows rather than claims that every event runs for all three days.

Expired-event and booking-link review: October 7, 2026. The October 3 Wild Fork festival has ended and is no longer an upcoming recommendation. Event schedules, entry rules and ticket availability can change; use the official organizer links below before booking.

Quick take: which weekend fits your group?

• Food lovers: Plan for the South Beach Seafood Festival's Seafood Slam on October 24. Choose your specific festival experience and compare its admission inclusions before booking (South Beach Seafood Festival events).
• Music and culture fans: Choose Miami Carnival's parade and concert in Lauderhill on October 11 or iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina in downtown Miami on October 17 (Miami Carnival schedule, Kaseya Center event details).
• Families: Consider daytime Zoo Boo on October 24 or 25, then an evening at Zoo Lights on November 27 or 28. Zoo Boo is included with zoo admission, while Zoo Lights requires separate event admission (Zoo Boo details, Zoo Lights details).
• Sports and active groups: Build a trip around NASCAR Championship Weekend on November 6–8 or ZooRun on November 14 (Homestead-Miami Speedway schedule, ZooRun details).
• Broward date nights and group outings: Try the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show over October 30–November 1 or Sebastian Maniscalco in Hollywood over November 20–22 (FLIBS visitor information, Hard Rock Live show dates).

October 9–11: make Broward your Carnival base

Miami Carnival Parade and Concert

• When and where: Sunday, October 11, from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill. Despite the Miami Carnival name, this year's main parade and concert are in Broward County (official Miami Carnival schedule).
• Best fit: Groups interested in Caribbean culture, costumes, music and a full-day celebration. The organizer describes Carnival Sunday as the Parade of the Bands and concert (Miami Carnival overview).
• Plan now: Choose accommodation and transportation around Lauderhill rather than assuming a Miami Beach location. Official J'ouvert is a separate scheduled event on Saturday, October 10, from 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; check the exact event name and admission terms before buying (Carnival weekend schedule).

October 16–18: choose a downtown Miami concert night

iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina

• When and where: Saturday, October 17, at 8 p.m. at Kaseya Center in Miami. The venue lists the event as iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina 2026 (official Kaseya Center listing).
• Best fit: Latin music fans, friends and couples planning a concert-centered evening. Check the current lineup directly with the venue before choosing tickets (Fiesta Latina event information).
• Plan now: Pick your seating and arrival plan before adding dinner reservations. Use our Fiesta Latina listing and Miami stay, parking and transportation guide to organize the night.

October 23–25: choose seafood or family Halloween

Seafood Slam on Miami Beach

• When and where: Saturday, October 24, from 1–5 p.m. at Lummus Park, around 10th Street and Ocean Drive. Seafood Slam is part of the South Beach Seafood Festival's October 21–24 program (official festival schedule).
• Best fit: Seafood fans and groups who prefer an afternoon tasting event. Seafood Slam is listed as all ages; do not assume the same age rules apply to every festival dinner or evening event (festival event and admission details).
• Plan now: Select the specific festival experience you want rather than treating the entire program as one ticket. Our South Beach Seafood Festival listing is a starting point for comparing the options.

Zoo Boo for a daytime family outing

• When and where: Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Zoo Miami. Activities include costumes, entertainment and trick-or-treating for children 12 and younger, with the event included in zoo admission (official Zoo Boo details).
• Best fit: Families looking for a daytime Halloween outing rather than an evening haunted-house visit. Review our Zoo Boo listing before planning your day.

For haunted houses and scare-focused evenings, use our existing Miami Haunted Houses 2026 guide. Keep that as your dedicated comparison guide rather than trying to fit every Halloween attraction into this weekend calendar.

October 30–November 1: plan a Fort Lauderdale waterfront weekend

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

• When and where: The full show runs October 28–November 1 across Fort Lauderdale waterfront locations. During this weekend window, Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., with Sunday running 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (official FLIBS visitor information).
• Best fit: Boating enthusiasts, waterfront explorers and groups interested in marine exhibits. Admission does not guarantee access to every vessel; boarding is at the exhibitor's discretion (FLIBS admission FAQs).
• Plan now: Buy tickets online because there is no onsite ticketing box office. The organizer recommends the Broward County Convention Center as a starting point and transportation hub; check the current shuttle and water-taxi arrangements before arrival (FLIBS planning FAQs).

If Halloween is your main reason for going out this weekend, return to the haunted-house guide and confirm your chosen attraction's actual operating date. Leave room between daytime plans and an evening reservation.

November 6–8: build a sports weekend around Homestead

NASCAR Championship Weekend

• When and where: November 6–8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The championship program includes Friday's Truck Series race, Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race and Sunday's Cup Series race (official championship schedule).
• Best fit: Racing fans, sports-focused groups and visitors who want a full weekend built around one venue. The speedway offers single-day and three-day admission options (speedway ticket options).
• Plan now: Decide whether you want Sunday only or the full weekend before arranging accommodation. Review parking and any separate add-ons through the organizer, then use our NASCAR Championship Weekend listing to keep the event in your itinerary.

November 13–15: make Saturday an active outing

ZooRun at Zoo Miami

• When and where: Saturday, November 14. The organizer lists a 6:30 a.m. half-marathon start, 7:30 a.m. starts for the 10K and 5K, and a Kids Dash at approximately 8:30 a.m. (official ZooRun schedule).
• Best fit: Runners, walkers and families who want different participation options. The 2026 event introduces a half marathon alongside the shorter distances (ZooRun event details).
• Plan now: Choose the right distance and review registration, arrival instructions and age rules before committing your group. Our ZooRun 2026 listing connects the race with the rest of your weekend planning.

November 20–22: choose a Hollywood comedy night

Sebastian Maniscalco at Hard Rock Live

• When and where: Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood lists shows at 8 p.m. on November 19, 20, 21 and 22. For this weekend, choose Friday, Saturday or Sunday; the venue's 2026 announcement confirms the November 21 engagement (current show schedule, 2026 venue announcement).
• Best fit: Couples and friends who want a reserved-seat comedy night. Review the venue's current ticket terms and any age guidance rather than assuming it is a children's outing.
• Plan now: Compare the available performances and arrange dinner around your chosen show, not the other way around. Use the official Hard Rock Live event page for the correct date and ticket route.

November 27–29: start the holiday season after Thanksgiving

Zoo Lights at Zoo Miami

• When and where: The November 2026 dates are Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, from 6:30–10 p.m. Sunday, November 29, is not listed, so do not assume this event runs throughout the entire holiday weekend (official Zoo Lights calendar).
• Best fit: Families, couples and visiting relatives who want holiday lights and seasonal entertainment. The organizer describes illuminated displays, a large LED tree and holiday activities; this is not primarily an animal-viewing visit (Zoo Lights experience details).
• Plan now: Zoo Lights requires separate admission from a daytime zoo visit or regular membership entry. As checked October 7, the organizer lists tickets as coming soon, so use our Zoo Lights listing for planning and return to the official event page for the ticket release.

How to turn one event into a better South Florida weekend

• Pick one geographic base: Choose Miami Beach, downtown Miami, southern Miami-Dade or Broward according to your main event. Avoid stacking distant venues into a tight schedule, and use our Miami transportation and stay guide to plan the rest.
• Budget for the complete outing: Compare admission, parking, transportation, food and optional upgrades before buying. Read the exact ticket inclusions instead of assuming that a festival or concert ticket covers everything.
• Keep a flexible second activity: Pair your main event with an option from our free things to do in Miami guide. Recheck each attraction's current hours and conditions.
• Confirm before leaving: Review your ticket date, entry time, bag rules, age restrictions and the organizer's latest notice. Keep the official event page handy, especially for outdoor plans.

Frequently asked questions

Which South Florida events in October 2026 are good for families?

Zoo Boo on October 24 and 25 is a daytime choice with trick-or-treating for children 12 and younger, and its activities are included with zoo admission (Zoo Boo information). For other dates, browse current family activities and confirm the age guidance and schedule for your chosen outing.

What Miami events in November 2026 should I plan around?

For Miami-Dade outings, consider NASCAR Championship Weekend in Homestead on November 6–8, ZooRun on November 14 and Zoo Lights on November 27 or 28. These serve different interests, so choose the main experience first rather than treating them as interchangeable nights out (speedway calendar, ZooRun schedule, Zoo Lights calendar).

Is Miami Carnival in Miami or Broward in 2026?

The main parade and concert are scheduled for October 11 at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, in Broward County. Use that location when choosing your hotel and transportation, and reconfirm because the organizer notes that venues and times can change (official Carnival schedule).

Can I buy Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show tickets at the gate?

The organizer says tickets must be purchased online and there is no onsite ticketing box office. Purchase the correct admission option before traveling and review the transport instructions for your starting location (FLIBS ticket and visitor FAQs).

Where can I compare Miami haunted houses without searching again?

Use our Miami Haunted Houses 2026 guide for the dedicated Halloween comparison. Then confirm the date, admission conditions and age guidance with the attraction you choose.

Which featured event has already ended?

The Wild Fork Meat & Seafood Festival at Zoo Miami was scheduled for October 3, 2026, and that date has passed. It is no longer an upcoming option in this guide; browse current food and drink events for another outing.

Find your next South Florida outing

Start with the weekend that fits your group, then browse Get Your Ticket's current event listings for more options. Use each event's organizer or ticket link to confirm current availability before completing a purchase.