It’s Championship Weekend ‘Canes fans! Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or are excited to sample the Miami nightlife, here’s an unofficial guide to happenings, parties, and hot spots in South
Florida this weekend:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH
On Campus Pep-Rally
- Location: University of Miami Coral Gables Campus, Lakeside Patio
- Time: 12PM Festivities Begin; 1:30PM Pep Rally Starts
- Details: This is a student-organized pep rally that will include music and swag giveaways (while supplies last). This is open to the University community (UM students, faculty, and, staff).
Playoff Fan Central
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
- Time: 10AM to 6PM
- Details: Playoff Fan Central is a free family-friendly event that will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. College Football Playoff Executive Director Richard Clark was quoted as saying the Fan Central will include a “Forty yard dash, field goal. We got a monster truck, we have merchandise for sale, we have, Great Clips is here, setting up to cut people’s hair. We even have puppies, you can come and hold a puppy.”
Broward County (Davie) ‘Canes Pep-Rally
- Location: Shoppes at Arrowhead and Caneswear (2655 S University Dr, Davie, Florida)
- Time: 6PM to 8PM
- Details: Join Caneswear for a Friday night prep rally highlighted by a live DJ and a Sebastian appearance.
Stavros Halkias at Hard Rock Live
- Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL
- Time: 8PM
- Details: Want to check out the famous Guitar Hotel? Consider heading up on Friday night when Hard Rock Live will feature comedian Stavros Halkias, who is presently co-starring with Shane Gillis on Netflix’s Tires and recently appeared alongside Emma Stone and Jessie Plemmons in Golden Globe nominated Bugonia. Another option for laughs at Hard Rock Live this weekend is Saturday night’s Miami Comedy Festival featuring Sommore, Earthquake, Bill Bellamy, and Lavell Crawford.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH
Playoff Fan Central + Media Day
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
- Time: 9AM to 6PM (Miami Media 9:00-10:00AM; Indiana Media 10:30-11:30AM)
- Details: Playoff Fan Central continues on Saturday featuring Media Day. Saturday morning, each team will have one hour sessions with credentialed media present to cover the teams. Miami goes first at 9:00 AM. Like Fan Central, this is open to the public with no charge to attend.
75th Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art
- Location: Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami (1301 Stanford Dr, Coral Gables, Florida)
- Time: 10AM to 5PM (continues on Sunday as well)
- Details: The Beaux Arts Festival of Art is Miami’s oldest juried art festival at the University of Miami. Each year, the festival showcases the work of more than 200 artists across ten distinct categories, honoring creativity and artistic excellence.
The Big Woof Festival
- Location: Regatta Park, Coconut Grove
- Time: 10AM to 5PM (also 10AM to 5PM on Sunday)
- Details: Billed as Miami’s largest dog festival, this two-day event features championship frisbee performances, corgi and dachsund races, educational talks and demonstrations, as well as a marketplace with food and drinks. Tickets are $25 with reduced prices for seniors and teens. Children under 12 are free.
Extra Yard for Teachers Summit: Powered by the CFP Foundation
- Location: The Fillmore, Miami Beach
- Time: 2PM to 6PM (doors open at 1PM)
- Details: This free event is open to teachers, educators, counselors, coaches, and school leaders and is just steps away from the Playoff Playlist Live concert. Inspiring speakers include international superstar Pitbull, ESPN reporter Jess Sims, and 2025 National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson. Afterwards, attendees will be treated to a reception featuring music from DJ Smooth. Capacity is strictly limited to the first 2,400 attendees.
Playoff Playlist Live
- Location: Lummus Park, Miami Beach (enter off Ocean Drive and 10th Street)
- Time: Doors Open at 6PM
- Details: This is a two-night, free concert event with no ticket required. Night one features Calvin Harris, John Summit, and XANDRA.
Miami Heat v. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
- Time: 8PM Tipoff
- Details: The Miami Heat face-off Saturday night against the defending NBA Champions Oklahoma City Thunder. As the playoff race HEATS up, Miami will be looking to avenge their loss last Sunday 124-112 at OKC.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH
CFP Trophy Trot
- Location: South Pointe Park, Miami Beach
- Time: 8AM start
- Details: The Baptist Health CFP Trophy Trot 5K/10K will wind its way through Miami’s South Beach, featuring races at both the 5K and 10K distances. The event has a $45/$55 registration fee for the 5K/10K race. There will also be giveaways, including opportunities to win tickets to the game.
Playoff Fan Central + Team Pep Rallies
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
- Time: 10AM to 6PM (Miami Pep Rally 2PM; Indiana Pep Rally 3PM)
- Details: Playoff Fan Central wraps up on Sunday with team pep rallies in the afternoon.
Taste of the Championship
- Location: Club M2 (1235 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, Florida)
- Time: 5PM to 8PM
- Details: This social, cocktail style event will feature food and drinks from popular South Florida restaurants and breweries. Ticket price is $200 for this all-inclusive event.
Playoff Playlist Live
- Location: Lummus Park, Miami Beach (enter off Ocean Drive and 10th Street)
- Time: Doors Open at 6PM
- Details: The second night of this two-night, free concert event features Peso Pluma, Latin Mafia, and Alvaro Diaz.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19TH
Championship Tailgate
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium
- Time: Gates open at 11AM
- Details: The CFP’s official tailgate spot is open to all fans with a game ticket. The highlight is a free concert featuring Pitbull and Kat Luna. Fans will also enjoy interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, and performances by each team’s marching band during the day.
Official University of Miami Alumni Association Watch Parties
- Location (Weston): Carolina Ale House (2618 Weston Road, Weston, Florida)
- Location (Hollywood): Dave & Buster’s Hollywood (3000 Oakwood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida)
- Location (Hollywood hosted by Black Alumni Society): Club Vault (2801 Greene Street Bay 4, Hollywood, Florida)
- Location (Miami): Lost Boy (157 E Flagler St, Miami, Florida)
- Location (Coral Gables): Watsco Center by invite only to UM Alumni, faculty, students, and staff – must RSVP
- Details: Can’t get tickets to the game? Join fellow ‘Canes fans at one of the official Canes Community watch parties located throughout South Florida. With the exception of the invite only on-campus watch party, all locations are open to all friends and fans of the University of Miami.
E11even After Party
- Location: E11even Night Club (29 NE 11th St, Miami, Florida)
- Time: 11PM
- Details: World famous nightclub E11even will be hosting an after party featuring a live performance from Fat Joe. Tickets start at $23pp.
LIV After Party
- Location: LIV Nightclub Miami at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach (4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida)
- Time: 11:30PM
- Details: LIV is hosting an official after party featuring sounds by DJ Don Hot. Tickets start at $25. LIV will also be featuring Rick Ross on Friday night, Calvin Harris on Saturday night, and 50 Cent on Sunday night.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH
Miami Men’s Basketball v. Florida State
- Location: Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Florida
- Time: 7:00PM
- Details: Keep the championship energy going on Tuesday night for Coach L Night as the Miami Hurricanes host arch-rival Florida State. The ‘Canes have opened the season 15-2 overall, 4-0 in the ACC, and are surging towards a post-season run (like the football team!). On Coach L night, the first 4,000 fans receive a commemorative banner.
