Discover Something Real This Summer at Kennedy Space Center

There’s a whole lot to discover this summer at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and the focus is on the authentic and original experiences, displays, artifacts and activities that immerse visitors in the real side of space. Through August, a series of events will be available to guests that highlight the best of what the visitor complex has to offer.

The summer theme is centered around a new marketing campaign entitled “Discover Something Real,” a celebration of the authentic stories, artifacts and science-based activities available to visitors. From veteran astronauts to flight flown artifacts, displays featuring worn space suits covered in actual moon dust and interactive experiences designed to replicate space flight and more, the opportunities to become immersed in the past, present and future of space exploration abound at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Following are just a few of the exciting events to take advantage of this summer.

July 19-21: Moon Fest Weekend

Apollo 11 landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969. In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the visitor complex will honor history while looking forward to NASA’s next giant leap – the Artemis missions. Visitors during the weekend of July 19-21 will learn about the Apollo Program and hear the latest on the upcoming Artemis missions and our return to the Moon. Moon Fest Weekend includes:

• Space Shuttle Atlantis – Family-friendly activities (all day). Silent DJ from 1 – 4 p.m.
• Apollo/Saturn V Center – “Astro and Orbit,” comedy duo performers at the People’s Moon exhibit at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Photo opportunity with the Moon rover (all day).
• Journey To Mars Launched by United Launch Alliance – “Apollo to Artemis” presentation from a space expert at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
• Rocket Garden – “One Giant Leap” short film, every hour on the top of the hour (all day).

Moon Fest Weekend is included with admission.

August 2-4: Aviation Weekend

Celebrate the remarkable journeys of astronauts and pilots during Aviation Weekend, happening August 2-4, 2024, at the visitor complex. Hear pilots and astronauts from different backgrounds share their stories of reaching the skies and discover how they embarked on their paths during Tales from the Flight Deck.

On the bottom floor of Space Shuttle Atlantis, guests can visit the Atlantis Aviation Center to craft an airplane and see whose flies the farthest. A photo booth will also allow visitors to take their very own pilot photo!

There will also be an end-of-season block party with DJ Steve and his solar-powered DJ kiosk in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis from 12 – 4 p.m. all weekend long. A fun activity area including mini-golf, corn hole and four in a row will also be set up nearby. All activities are included with admission.

August 31, 6:30-10pm: Kennedy Under the Stars

Kennedy Under the Stars returns August 31, 2024! This exclusive after-hours event combines favorite attractions with a galactic glow party! The colors of the cosmos will be brought to life through a series of illuminated experiences designed to shed new light on a visit to the visitor complex:

• An 80s to 90s Video DJ in the Rocket Garden
• Techno DJ dance party in NASA Central
• Cosmic Glow Mini Golf under the massive Saturn 1B rocket
• Multisensory science experiments from the visitor complex STEAM Team
• Glowing bar and lounge areas
• Photo-worthy live entertainment

As an added bonus, Kennedy Under the Stars is the only place on Earth to spend a Saturday night with those who have traveled off-planet. Veteran NASA astronauts will mingle with guests throughout the evening.

During Kennedy Under the Stars, the main visitor complex’s key attractions stay open late, offering lower wait times and more time to venture to other worlds in Spaceport KSC®. Guests can also get up close to real flight-flown artifacts like Space Shuttle Atlantis, feel the rumble aboard the Shuttle Launch Experience and more.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the night and select retail stores will also remain open. Annual passholders will receive discounts on food and a 30 percent savings on retail items. Stellar, space-themed outfits are encouraged but for security reasons, costume masks that conceal faces are prohibited, as are any props that resemble weapons.

For more info on Discover Something Real, visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s page.