The 12^th Annual Space Coast Light Fest – Melbourne, Fla. – Nov. 23 – Dec. 31

 

Drawing more than 15,000 vehicles annually, the Space Coast Light Fest is a family-oriented celebration taking place in the 1.1 mile long stretch of Wickham Park.  The area is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with thousands of lights. Visitors drive through the attraction to witness the once-a-year spectacle.  Wickham Park address: 2500 Parkway Dr. Melbourne, FL 32935.

 

Admission is $10 per car. Discounts and promotions can be found at www.spacecoastlightfest.com . Light Fest is open nightly 6-9:30 pm.  For information call 321-614-6286.

 

Overnight Adventure – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fla. – December

 

This winter, kids can have an out-of-this-world campout at the Kennedy Space Center’s Overnight Adventure. Guests will come face-to-face with a real astronaut camp experience while camping beneath an actual moon rocket, test their skills on a rocket scavenger hunt and see a larger-than-life IMAX film. The program includes dinner, snack and a continental breakfast and is ideally designed for youth groups, scout groups and school groups ages 7-14.

Operating hours for Overnight Adventure are 4:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning. Tuition for the program is $99 plus tax per participant and $79 plus tax for each attending chaperone. One chaperone per five youth members is required. For additional information or to book an adventure, call the 321-455-7036 or e-mail kscovernightadventure@dncinc.com.

 

Astronaut Encounter Theater and Lunch – Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – December

 

Guests are given the opportunity to come face-to-face with various astronauts during the month of December. This 30-minute question-and-answer forum allows attendees to interact with the astronauts and is intended to inspire children and adults alike to strive for excellence.

 

Lunches with a featured astronaut begin at 12 p.m. each day. Times and availability may vary throughout the day. Price for the encounter is $24.99 for adults and $15.99 for children ages 3-11, in addition to admission. For more information and to make a reservation, please call 866-737-5235.

 

24th-Annual “Rockin’ the Dock” New Year’s Eve Party – Cocoa Beach Pier, Fla. – Dec. 31

 

Ring in 2013 with the waves at Cocoa Beach’s renowned New Year’s Eve bash. Guests can surf through five different parties hosted by restaurants and bars located on the pier, which stretches 800 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Each event will feature live entertainment, champagne toasts, balloon drops and confetti cannons. In addition to the festivities, the Pier will also have large television screens displaying other New Year celebrations from around the world.

 

Tickets for Rockin’ the Dock are $20 and can be purchased at the Ocean Notions Gift Shop located on the Pier. The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m. For more information, call 321-783-7549.

 

Cocoa’s Family New Year’s Event – Cocoa Beach, Fla. – Dec. 31

 

Celebrate the New Year in a way the whole family can enjoy. The Cocoa Beach Family New Year’s Event will be hosted at the Riverfront Park in Historic Cocoa Village beginning at 5 p.m. Kids and their families can experience the countdown to 2013, complete with a balloon drop, entertainment and a variety of fun art activities.

 

Activity participation for the event is $5 for children and adults are free. For additional information, call 321-639-3503 or visit www.cocoafl.org.

 

The 16^th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival – Titusville, Fla. - Jan. 23 – 28

 

The nation’s largest birding and wildlife festival happens in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast.  Visitors can walk through festival headquarters at the Brevard Community College and see vendors from around the world with booths showcasing bird watching tours, products and information.  Other features of the festival include professionally guided field excursions and keynote speakers from the birding world.

 

The festival’s headquarters is located at Brevard Community College’s Titusville Campus at 1311 North U.S. 1 Titusville, FL 32976. Event registration is $20. Certain activities may incur additional costs. Children under 12, accompanied by an adult, are free. For more information, visit www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.com.

 

The State Farm Melbourne Music Marathon – Melbourne, Fla. – Feb. 1 – 3, 2013

Rocket Launches – Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – December - February

Falcon 9 • Dragon C4 – December 15 – Time: TBD

Atlas 5 • TDRS K – December – Time: TBD