Thanksgiving Events in Space Coast 

The Thanksgiving season on Florida’s Space Coast will have you in the holiday spirit in no time. Whether your plans include you arriving the weekend before or even on Thanksgiving Day, there’s something for everyone to enjoy with loved ones.

Space Coast Lightfest

Through January 1

Come and enjoy the lights any night of the week from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. More than 2.7 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 Wickham Park into a virtual winter wonderland. This family oriented celebration features shimmering lights and animated displays and draws more than 15,000 vehicles annually. SpaceCoastLightfest.com

Festival of Trees

November 19

Excitement is in the air for the Junior League of South Brevard’s, Inc. 32nd Annual Festival of Trees. This family-friendly event is an annual community fundraiser that allows JLSB to continue improving Brevard County through financial and volunteer commitments. Start the holiday season right with this event. What can you look forward to seeing? Beautifully adorned trees of all sizes donated from talented designers; Wreaths and other decorative items to make your home festive; Fabulous marketplace perfect for early holiday shopping; Feed that sweet tooth with yummy gifts and treats at Gifts from the Kitchen; Bring your kids to talk to Santa and stay for games and crafts. Jlsb.net/FOT

ArtWorks of Eau Gallie Fine Arts Festival

November 19-20

ArtWorks of Eau Gallie Fine Arts Festival is a 'plein-air' show in Melbourne, FL which attracts thousands of art lovers from around the region to this beautiful riverside community. This two-day family-friendly event is different from other art festivals in that it’s a "working artist" show and all artists are required to demonstrate their methods of work. ArtWorks Art Festival provides a unique experience for the public to view artists painting outdoors, as well as other artist/craftsmen demonstrating their expertise in order to expand their knowledge of what is involved in creating an artwork or craft object. EauGallieArts.com

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis

November 20

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for the past 30 years! Grammy Award Winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Their holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and continue to occupy top spots on Billboard’s Seasonal Charts every year! KingCenter.com

Suntree Turkeytrot

November 24

The Suntree Turkeytrot is a great opportunity to get some exercise and have some fun before stuffing yourself with all that turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving Day! On top of that, you can help the worldwide effort to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. Proceeds will go to the Brent R. Gooch Memorial Fund of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Founded in 1970 by parents and grandparents of diabetic children, the JDRF is the world's leading non-profit, nongovernmental funder of research to find a cure for diabetes. SuntreeTurkeytrot.org

Santa Surfs into Cocoa Beach

November 25

Mark your calendars! This year Santa plans to arrive on Florida’s Space Coast not on a sled but on a surf board on Friday, November 25 at 1 p.m. Gather with others in Cocoa Beach and be surprised as a professional surfing Santa arrives on his surfboard and shreds a few waves before he comes to the beach to hand out candy canes to all the kids. What started as an informal gathering has become a widely popular post-Thanksgiving Day event that will have your family excited for the holidays. Facebook.com/SurfingSantas

“Miracle on 34^th Street”

November 25 – 27

A holiday classic from the writer of the musical theater classic, "The Music Man!" Based on the movie of the same name, "Miracle On 34th Street" features a book and score by none other than Meredith Wilson. Single mother, Doris Walker, doesn’t want her 6-year-old daughter Susan’s head filled with romantic notions. Their neighbor Fred Gailey tries to woo Doris by charming Susan and taking her to see Santa Claus at Macy’s, where Doris works. Doris is not impressed but when it turns out Macy’s Santa may in fact be the real Kris Kringle, a wave of love spreads across New York City that melts even the most cynical hearts. This joyous, heart-warming musical is pure family entertainment, the perfect holiday treat! TitusvillePlayhouse.com

“Meet Me in St.Louis”

November 25 – 27

Based on the heartwarming film of the same name, “Meet Me in St. Louis” takes audience members on a musical journey back to the early 1900s, on the brink of the 1904 World’s Fair. In the show’s center are the Smith’s, a humble middle-class family made up of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, their four daughters Rose, Esther, Agnes, and Tootie, and their son Lon. With the addition of romantic suitors, comedic misunderstandings, and jovial pranks, this musical is filled with nonstop entertainment featuring memorable musical numbers such as “The Boy Next Door,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “A Day In New York.” CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com

Light Up Viera

November 26

Light Up Viera will kick off the holiday season for Brevard County! There will be a magical parade full of sparkling lights, which will include professionally decorated floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus arriving on a sleigh. The parade will have a battle of the bands with local schools competing for ultimate bragging rights. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Stadium Parkway and it will finish at the Space Coast Stadium with festive fireworks. The Viera Company will be providing complimentary magical glasses that will enhance the parade experience as well as your entire holiday season. LightUpViera.com

Shop Small Sip & Stroll

November 26

After all the turkey on Thursday and the Black Friday big-box stores the day after, come on down to Cocoa Village to relax, Shop Small, and Sip & Stroll. Cocoa Village will have dozens of small shops that carry unique gifts, things you won't find in the big stores. Be different, Shop Small, support your friends and neighbors in your local community. VisitCocoaVillage.com

Cocoa Beach Art Show

November 26 – 27

The Cocoa Beach Art Show is the place to be Thanksgiving weekend in Cocoa Beach! Always located in beautiful Downtown Cocoa Beach, the whole family will enjoy beautiful, unique art, music and food. This event takes place the following times - Saturday, November 26: Art Show 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Music until 11 p.m. Sunday, November 27: Art Show and Music 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. CocoaBeachArtShow.com

Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon

November 27

Running Zone Foundation and Space Coast Runners welcome you to the 45th running of the Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon – Florida’s oldest marathon. Runners and walkers alike are invited to experience one of the most beautiful USATF certified waterfront courses on the east coast of Florida. Both races start in the historic and quaint Cocoa Village, and finish with a lap around the Riverfront Park amphitheater where family and friends can cheer and watch your finish. As our race is held within the shadow of the Kennedy Space Center, the entire event revolves around a space theme sure to delight and energize our participants. SpaceCoastMarathon.com