In Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast, we affectionately refer to fall as the “extended summer” season. During this time, the temperatures remain comfortably warm, with a hint of reduced heat, creating ideal beach weather for those who weren’t yet ready to give up summer. This season offers a fusion of outdoor activities and cultural encounters, like sea turtle and manatee encounters. Our fall guide is here to help you maximize your fall break getaway to Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast.
Holiday Weekends in Fall:
- Labor Day Weekend
- Columbus Day
- Veteran’s Day Weekend
- Thanksgiving Day / Weekend (including Canadian Thanksgiving)
Cocoa Beach & the Space Coast Fall 2026 Events:
Taste of Space at Kennedy Space Center (2026 dates TBA — 2025 ran October 3–November 16, so expect a similar window): Savor the flavors of the Space Coast and explore local cuisine and culinary delights.
NKF Rich Salick Pro/Am Surf Fest (2026 dates TBA — typically Columbus Day weekend in October): Watch world-class surfers ride the waves and enjoy beachside festivities.
Cocoa Village Fall Art & Craft Show (October 17–18, 2026): Shop for unique handcrafted items and stroll through Historic Cocoa Village.
Space Coast State Fair (October 29–November 15, 2026): Indulge in classic fair fun with rides, games, and delicious treats.
Cocoa Beach Art Show (Thanksgiving weekend): Enjoy an extraordinary collection of juried fine art, toe tappin’ music, delicious varieties of foods and free Hands on Art for Kids.
Heads up: the Space Coast Art Festival, a fall fixture on the Space Coast for nearly two decades, is taking 2026 off due to a shortage of volunteers to run it. Organizers say it’s coming back in 2027 at a new venue, The Avenue Viera.
More Fun in Fall:
Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it here during one of the festivals (or if they’re already sold out). There’s still plenty of things to do that aren’t date specific.
Walk or Bike: The slightly milder temperatures are perfect for spending time enjoying the outdoors. These are our favorite places for a stroll or ride.
- The Beach!
- Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary & Hiking Trail
- Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (Viera Wetlands)
- Enchanted Forest Sanctuary (Titusville)
If you need to rent bicycles for the beach, you can do so right through Southbound Stays! Just email us for details.
Wildlife Encounters:
Sea Turtle Season runs March through October each year, so early fall is still a great window for an evening turtle walk. We highly recommend a guided sea turtle walk through one of the local organizations. You can learn more about those here.
Manatee Season runs November through April each year. One of the best places to spot manatees is along Manatee Sanctuary Park in Cape Canaveral. A great way to encounter manatees up close is through a guided kayak or paddle board tour. We highly recommend Cocoa Beach Kayak. You can tell them we sent you!
Fall in Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast is sunshiney and exciting, chock full of things that will create lasting memories for you and your friends and family. If you are still in the planning phases of booking your trip to Cocoa Beach, we would love the opportunity to host you at our Cocoa Beach Airbnbs / Vacation Rentals. You can view our availability and book directly right here on our website.
PS: Cocoa Beach fun isn’t limited to fall! Be sure to check out our What to Do Cocoa Beach guide for year-round inspiration.
Quick answers:
What events are happening in Cocoa Beach in fall 2026? The Cocoa Village Fall Art & Craft Fair runs October 17–18, and the Space Coast State Fair runs October 29 through November 15 in nearby Viera. Taste of Space and the NKF Surf Fest typically follow the same fall window, though 2026 dates weren’t announced as of this writing.
Is fall a good time to visit Cocoa Beach? Yes — fall (September through November) offers summer-like temperatures in the low 80s with less humidity and smaller crowds than peak summer.
When does sea turtle season end in Cocoa Beach? Sea turtle nesting season runs through October, so early fall visitors can still catch evening turtle walks before manatee season begins in November.