The Holidays are a special time on the Space Coast. They’ve got Santa Surfing, The Indian River glittering with Festive Boat Parades, 3 million lights illuminating one of the favorite parks, out-of-this-world holiday displays, and plenty of markets to flip-flop around. No matter what kind of snow-free holiday experience you’re hoping for, you’ll find it there! Check out some of the most noteworthy holiday events and start planning your Holiday Getaway to Florida’s Space Coast and all of the Holiday events they have to offer.
Don’t Miss Space Coast 2022 Holiday Events
Surfing Santa’s | December 24
You’ll never have more fun on Christmas Eve than you will in Cocoa Beach! Surfing Santas is the Space Coast’s most anticipated holiday event. Surfers from all over congregate in the heart of Cocoa Beach for a surf event like no other. Enjoy live music, and festive competitions. Take to the waves with hundreds of other revelers for a Florida Christmas celebration you’ll never forget. You’ve got to experience it to believe it and it’s only on the Space Coast.
Holidays In Space | Dec 16 – Dec 30
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland, “ice”-skating, snow, and holiday decor during Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. As always, Holidays in Space is included with admission and a memorable way to enjoy the park while celebrating the holiday. Before the front entrance, take a selfie with the NASA meatball, capped with an ornament top. Visit the Rocket Garden, decorated with lights and holiday displays. And don’t miss the opportunity to take a photograph with Space Person, decked out in their holiday gear!
Space Coast Lightfest | November 25 – Jan 1
More than 3 million twinkling holiday lights will ignite the night sky at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay. The Space Coast Lightfest is a holiday-themed drive-through event transforming one of our favorite parks into a merry & bright, and typically warm, winter wonderland. This family-oriented celebration features shimmering lights and animated displays and draws more than 15,000 vehicles annually. A journey through the 1.1 mile park will take your breath away as your family experiences the wonders of the holiday season.
Holiday Tour of Historic Homes | Weekends in December
Travel back in time to the celebrations of yesterday at the Museums of Brevard’s 3nd Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. See unique architecture and gorgeous seasonal decorations of eight Space Coast historic homes including the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse! This opportunity should be a must on every list of things to do this holiday season! Visit eight historic homes in Brevard County over the course of three weekends. The tours begin Friday, December 2, 2022 and end Sunday, December 18, 2022. Tours run between 10 am and 2 pm, with many homes requiring appointments.
Purchase your tickets and pick up your PastPort at the first historic home you visit and use that as your ticket for the remaining houses.
Participating Historical Homes:
• The Moore Cultural Center & Museum, Mims
• Pritchard House, Titusville
• Cape Canaveral Light House, Cape Canaveral
• Sams House, Merritt Island
• Field Manor, Merritt Island
• Lawndale 1895 House Museum, Rockledge
• Historic Rossetter House Museum & Gardens, Melbourne
• Green Gables At Historic Riverview Village, Melbourne
Tacos ‘n’ Treats Throwdown | December 3
Gather with your family in Wickham Park for the Tacos ‘n’ Treats Throwdown. Watch as 30 of the Space Coast’s top food trucks go head to head to create the BEST taco on the Space Coast, then watch just as many dessert food trucks do the same with your sweet tooth in mind. Stop by the vendor market to find the perfect gift for your special someone, and enjoy the tastiest holiday tradition on the Space Coast.
Boat Parades
• Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade | Dec 9
• Cocoa Beach Boat Parade | Dec 10
• Merritt Island Boat Parade | Dec 17
• Turkey Creek Boat Parade | Dec 17
• Satellite Beach Boat Parade | Dec 17
Holiday Markets
• Candlelight Shopping in Downtown Melbourne | Every Saturday Between Thanksgiving & Christmas
• Cocoa Village Art and Craft Holiday Bazaar | Dec 3- 4
• Holiday Garden Market | Dec 4
• 9th Annual Edgewood Holiday Art And Craft Fair | Dec 10
Holiday Festivals
• Space Coast 38th Annual Festival of Trees | November 17
• Light Up Rockledge Festival of Trees | December 3
• Krampus Kon | December 2-4
• Snow Days on the Space Coast | December 17-18
Holiday Theater and Entertainment
Catch a classic holiday show while you’re in town at every one of our historic playhouses and theaters. Check out each establishment’s holiday schedule through the Space Coast Theatre .
Space Coast Ballet Company and Brevard Symphony Orchestra : The Nutcracker | Maxwell C. King Center
The only Nutcracker you must see this season! Celebrate the joy and wonder of the holiday with the Space Coast Ballet Company as they celebrate their 19th year of bringing The Nutcracker to the King Center Stage! We are pleased to announce that this year Tchaikovsky’s best-loved melodies will be performed by The Brevard Symphony Orchestra!
New and Noteworthy Holiday Productions
Who’s Holiday | Titusville Playhouse – Shuler Stage
Who’s Holiday! is a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy that tells the story of, a grownup, Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken.
Michael Law & Friends: Merry & Bright | Cocoa Village Playhouse
As an early Christmas present, Michael Law packs the house for two dazzling performances filled with energetic comedy mingled with the touching poignancy of Christmas that only this show can bring to the stage. Featuring special guests and a live band, you’ll be tapping your toes and humming along with this variety show reminiscent of live TV classics like The Carol Burnett Show and The Andy Williams Show!
December Running Events
• Space Force T-minus 10 Miler | Dec 10
• Jingle Bell 2 Miler | Dec 17
Need more events? Head over to the event page for a list of the holiday events this season on the Space Coast.