Your Southwest Florida Weekend Guide: October 10–11

Your weekend, at a glance

This Southwest Florida weekend guide pairs scheduled events in Ave Maria with flexible outing ideas across the region. For October 10–11, 2026, Ave Maria University lists Saturday volleyball and men’s soccer, plus Sunday talks. Prefer an unscheduled day? Consider a Naples lunch outing, beach time around Marco Island or Bonita Springs, shopping in Estero, or dinner in Fort Myers.

The dated events below come from the university’s calendar. The other regional picks are general weekend ideas—not confirmed festivals, performances or special offers.

Ave Maria: Saturday sports, Sunday conversation

If you want something concrete to build your day around, start in Ave Maria. These university listings give you an afternoon option, an evening option and two very different Sunday talks.

Saturday, October 10: Volleyball or soccer

• Volleyball vs. New College of Florida: 2–4 p.m., Field House Courts.
• Men’s soccer vs. Warner: 6–8 p.m., Gyrene Field.

Choose volleyball if an afternoon outing suits your group; choose soccer if you would rather keep the earlier part of your day open. If you’re considering both, leave the interval flexible rather than trying to squeeze in a trip to another city.

A meal or a little browsing in town can round out the plan. The Town of Ave Maria’s published news highlights its resident-owned shops, services and restaurants, making this a good opportunity to keep your spending local. Check individual businesses for their weekend hours.

Sunday, October 11: Two talks to consider

• Talk about Thomas Steven Vander Woude: noon–2:30 p.m., Academic Building 1001 — Demetree Lecture Hall.
• Fr. Josiah Trenham lecture, “Technology and Addiction: Seeking Freedom in Christ in a Consumerist Society”: 6–7 p.m., Academic Building 1001 — Demetree Lecture Hall.

The evening lecture offers a specific topic for anyone interested in faith, technology and consumer culture. The earlier listing gives only a title, so check its event details before deciding whether it fits your interests.

Consult the Ave Maria University events calendar before leaving. The supplied listings do not establish ticket prices, registration requirements or public eligibility; confirm those details directly rather than assuming an event is free or open to everyone.

Naples and Marco Island: Keep the coastal plan simple

For a weekend without a fixed start time, make Naples your lunch-and-wandering option. Choose a restaurant first, then add nearby browsing or a walk if conditions suit. Keeping the stops close together makes the outing easier for families and groups with different energy levels.

Marco Island is another option when the group wants a beach-focused day rather than a packed itinerary. Before committing, check the specific beach access point, parking arrangements and local conditions. Have an indoor meal option in mind so the whole day doesn’t depend on staying outside.

Best fit: Couples wanting an unhurried outing, visiting family, or anyone who would rather linger over lunch than follow an event schedule.

Bonita Springs and Estero: An easy mix-and-match day

Consider Bonita Springs for a meal paired with outdoor time, or Estero for a shopping-centered outing. These are flexible alternatives when your group wants to spend time together without committing to a scheduled event.

Pick one main activity and let the second stop be optional. For families, that might mean lunch followed by a short outing; for friends, browsing followed by an early dinner. Check your chosen destination’s hours and any reservation needs before you set off.

If you’re comparing destinations, Explore Southwest Florida can help you choose where to focus rather than turning the weekend into a multi-city checklist.

Fort Myers: Make dinner the main event

A Fort Myers outing can be as straightforward as choosing somewhere to eat and building the evening around it. Agree on the restaurant and meeting point first, then decide whether to add another stop.

If your group wants live entertainment, verify a venue’s own calendar before making that part of the plan. The supplied regional research does not identify a specific Fort Myers performance for this weekend.

Best fit: A friends’ night out or a dinner-led date night with room to adjust.

A few details worth settling before you go

• Confirm event admission and registration directly with the organizer.
• Check the forecast before outdoor activities, and move indoors if thunder develops.
• Verify beach access, destination hours and reservation requirements.
• Decide how everyone is getting home before the evening begins.

AVE RIDES PRO TIP Pick your main destination before arranging transportation, and share the exact venue or entrance with your group. A clear meeting point helps avoid confusion when it’s time to leave.

Ave Rides is locally owned in Ave Maria and serves Southwest Florida. When your plans are settled, book a ride for your outing. One well-chosen destination and a clear ride plan can be enough for a very good weekend.