BREVARD HOLIDAY EVENT PREVIEW: Don’t Miss the Space Coast’s Most Anticipated Holiday Events

By Space Coast Office of Tourism // December 19, 2021

EVENT SPOTLIGHT • THINGS TO DO

Back after a brief hiatus, Surfing Santas is the Space Coast’s most anticipated holiday event. The Holidays are a special time on the Space Coast. We’ve got Santa Surfing, The Indian River glittering with Festive Boat Parades, 3 million lights illuminating one of our favorite parks, out-of-this-world holiday displays, and plenty of markets to flip-flop around.

Getaway for the Holiday

FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST – The Holidays are a special time on the Space Coast. We’ve got Santa Surfing, The Indian River glittering with Festive Boat Parades, 3 million lights illuminating one of our 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 here.

Check out some of our most noteworthy holiday events and start planning your Holiday Getaway to Florida’s Space Coast.

Don’t Miss Space Coast 2021 Holiday Events

Surfing Santa’s | December 24

You’ve never enjoyed a Christmas eve like this before. Back after a brief hiatus, 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 competition like no other. Enjoy live music, festive competitions, and hit 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.

surfin santas

Holidays In Space | Dec 17, 2021 – Dec 31

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!

holidays in space

Space Coast Lightfest | November 19 – Jan 2, 2022

More than 3 million twinkling holiday lights will ignite the night sky at Wickham Park in Melbourne. 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.

Space Coast Lightfest

Holiday Tour of Historic Homes | Weekends in December

Travel back in time to the celebrations of yesterday at the Museums of Brevard’s 2nd 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!

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

Learn more and get tickets

Pritchard House at Christmas

Boat Parades

Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade | Dec 10
Cocoa Beach Boat Parade | Dec 11
Merritt Island Boat Parade | Dec 18
Satellite Beach Boat Parade | Dec 18

boat parade

Holiday Markets

Candlelight Shopping in Downtown Melbourne | Every Saturday Between Thanksgiving & Christmas
Cocoa Village Art and Craft Holiday Bazaar | Dec 4-5
8th Annual Edgewood Holiday Art And Craft Fair | Dec 11

Holiday Festivals

Light Up Rockledge Festival of Trees | December 4
Space Coast 37th Annual of Trees | December 4
Snow Days on the Space Coast | December 18-19

festival of trees — Image by the Junior League of South Brevard

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 our Space Coast Theatre page.

Space Coast Ballet Compay, 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 18th 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 Production

The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical | Titusville Playhouse – Shuler Stage

Holiday time at North Florida’s Armadillo Acres means everyone’s filled with warmth and beer. But when a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park Scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. With Betty, Lin and Pickles on hand to amp up the fracas and festivity, this all-new musical is just as much of a cat-fightin’, sun-worshippin’, chair-throwin’ good time as the original – but with tinsel and Keg Nog.

December Running Events

Reindeer Run 5k | Cape Canaveral
2021 Rainbow Run 5k | December 12
Jingle Bell 2 Miler | December 18
Run Santa Run 1 Miler | December 24
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Virtual 5k | Nov 1 – Dec 10