Cocoa Beach, Florida
March 19 – 21, 2027
“3 — 2 — 1 . . . Launch”
About the Festival
Festival of Spaceflight: Cocoa Beach is the inaugural celebration of the Space Coast’s singular role in human spaceflight. Held in the heart of downtown Cocoa Beach, the festival transforms our streets into a living tribute — with live music, a themed parade, outdoor movie screenings, hands-on STEM experiences, a community 5K, night-sky viewing, and student rocketry on the beach.
To unite the Space Coast community in celebrating our shared spaceflight heritage, inspire the next generation of explorers, and establish an annual tradition that strengthens Cocoa Beach’s identity as the hometown of American space exploration.
Three Days of Programming
Friday, March 19
The festival kicks off downtown with a dramatic Opening Ceremony — a curated countdown reel of historic launches culminating in a communal “3-2-1” with the entire crowd. Live music, food vendors, the official merchandise launch, and telescopes for night-sky viewing under the stars.
Saturday, March 20
The big day. A street festival fills downtown with vendors and hands-on science. The afternoon centerpiece is the Spaceflight Parade, followed by a student rocketry exhibition on the beach. The night closes with an outdoor movie screening at City Hall.
Sunday, March 21
Sunday opens with The Reentry Run, a space-themed 5K through downtown. Families gather for a Picnic in the Park and the Cocoa Beach Fire Department Chili Cook-Off, followed by the final speaker panel and the Time Capsule Ceremony — sealed predictions to be opened at the 10th annual festival in 2036. The day closes with the Closing Ceremony & Fallen Heroes Tribute, honoring those who gave their lives in the pursuit of spaceflight, before a final outdoor movie under the stars.
Featured Experiences
The visual centerpiece of the weekend. Brevard County high schools build floats honoring monumental moments in American spaceflight — from Mercury and Apollo to Shuttle, ISS, and the modern era. Judged by docents from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum.
A space-themed fun run / walk through downtown Cocoa Beach. Finishers receive a commemorative medal, with costume categories for the best space-themed running outfit.
A self-guided walking trail through downtown with numbered markers telling the story of Cocoa Beach’s role in spaceflight history — the bars where astronauts gathered, the hotels where engineers stayed, the spots where people watched launches.
Outdoor screenings at Cocoa Beach City Hall on Saturday and Sunday nights. Costumes encouraged. Pre-show space trivia, post-show stargazing.
A relaxed, family-friendly session where attendees can meet astronauts and space industry guests, ask questions, and snap photos.
Telescopes set up by the Brevard Astronomical Society on multiple nights of the festival. Free, family-friendly, and perfectly on-brand for a weekend under the Space Coast sky.
Open to kids. Design your own spaceflight mission patch in the Kid Zone — the winning design is printed as next year’s official festival collectible.
Following Saturday’s parade, high school rocketry teams launch model rockets from a designated beach area — a dramatic, hands-on celebration of STEM in action.
The Cocoa Beach Fire Department’s firefighters compete for bragging rights. Tasting tickets sold on-site — bring your appetite.
Attendees write predictions about the future of spaceflight, sealed in an official festival time capsule to be opened at the 10th annual Festival of Spaceflight in 2036.
Speakers & Panels
Throughout the weekend, ticketed speaker panels in the Community Room will bring together astronauts, NASA leadership, industry experts, and Space Coast historians — capped by a closing keynote on Sunday afternoon.
Speaker lineup announcing soon. Sign up for updates to be the first to know when names and ticket details drop.
Support the Mission
Tickets, sponsorship, and donations all fund the inaugural weekend. Capital raised is distributed through a prearranged cost split among the community nonprofits and heritage partners producing the event.
General admission to ticketed experiences and VIP access for the inaugural weekend. On-sale dates announced soon.
Ticketing coming soon.
Put your brand alongside America’s space heritage. Choose a tier below, or email us for a custom package.
Every contribution helps launch the inaugural Festival of Spaceflight. Chip in any amount to support the mission.
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Heritage Partners
The Festival of Spaceflight is built in partnership with the museums and organizations that preserve America’s space heritage.
Our Heritage Partners
Main Street Cocoa Beach
Museums of Brevard
Space Force Historical Foundation
American Space Museum
Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
Get Involved
Brevard County high schools are invited to build a parade float, run a hands-on science experiment in the Kid Zone, or launch with the Student Rocketry Exhibition.
Email the committeeJoin the local restaurant program with a space-themed menu special during festival weekend. The committee provides branded table tents, window clings, and coasters.
Email the committeeSponsor the inaugural Festival of Spaceflight and put your brand alongside America’s space heritage. Tiered packages available for aerospace, hospitality, civic, and local business partners.
Inquire about sponsorshipVolunteer
The festival runs on volunteers — setup crews, parade marshals, Kid Zone helpers, hospitality, and more. Tell us how you’d like to help and the committee will follow up.
FAQ
March 19–21, 2027 in downtown Cocoa Beach, Florida, with the main venue centered on Cocoa Beach City Hall and the surrounding downtown corridor.
Yes. The festival is designed for all ages — the Kid Zone, science experiments, parade, mission patch contest, and movie nights are all built with families in mind.
Most of the weekend — the street festival, parade, heritage walk, photo ops, night sky viewing, and movies — is free and open to the public. Speaker panels, the 5K, and the chili cook-off are individually ticketed. Pricing details will be announced closer to the event.
Parking details, road closures, and recommended lots will be posted ahead of the event. Plan to arrive early on Saturday for the parade and main day programming.
Yes. The festival footprint is centered on downtown sidewalks and City Hall facilities. Detailed accessibility information — including parade viewing areas, restrooms, and accommodations for the 5K — will be published before the event.
You’re in the right place. If a launch from Cape Canaveral or Kennedy Space Center is scheduled during festival weekend, the committee will organize a communal viewing on the beach with live commentary — an unforgettable bonus to the weekend.
The festival proceeds rain or shine. Outdoor activations may be adjusted for weather; updates will be communicated through festival social channels and on-site signage.
Email info@festivalofspaceflight.com to be added to the announcement list. Speaker, ticket, and schedule details drop there first.
The inaugural Festival of Spaceflight is taking shape. Be the first to hear about speakers, tickets, and the full weekend schedule.
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