Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will launch its annual holiday festivities this December with the return of Holidays in Space and the introduction of a new after-hours event, Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition. The complex, which was recently named the top attraction in the United States by Tripadvisor’s 2025 Traveler’s Choice Awards, will host these events to combine seasonal celebrations with space exploration experiences.
Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 19 and 20, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This separately ticketed event costs $65 per person and offers guests access to several attractions after hours. These include Heroes & Legends, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, Journey To Mars, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Planet Play, and more. The Rocket Garden will feature a Holiday Grooves Dance Party and a custom drone show.
Live entertainment at the event includes performances by The Vocalitas singing holiday classics, appearances by stilt-walking characters and a Penny Farthing-riding elf. Attendees can also explore the Rocket Tree Trail, participate in a scavenger hunt, and take photos with a Mars Rover decorated as Rudolph. Guests are encouraged to wear creative space-themed holiday attire but masks or face coverings are not allowed. Parking is complimentary with admission.
Holidays in Space continues from December 21–30 (except December 25), featuring decorations throughout the complex and an all-new Holidays in Space Drone Show Spectacular. This show uses 600 drones to tell the story of Starflake—a character formed from a meteor shower—who journeys through NASA’s major programs including Apollo, Shuttle, and Artemis before creating a cosmic tree. Premium viewing options for this performance will be available for purchase on select nights via KennedySpaceCenter.com.
Each drone show performance features visuals such as the International Space Station and NASA spacecrafts—including an astronaut wearing a Santa hat—as part of its celebration of space exploration during the holidays. A new live character show is planned for Universe Theater along with an interactive family breakfast experience during this period.
To accommodate visitors during peak season, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering a Holiday Dining Package for $39.99 per person (in addition to admission). Available only through presale between December 15–19 and December 22–January 2, this package provides one meal at select dining locations within the complex plus snacks and drinks.
Tickets for Kennedy Under the Stars: Holiday Edition went on sale November 4 at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located about 45 minutes from Orlando and opens daily at 9 a.m., with closing times varying by season. Admission prices range from $67 per child to $77 per adult for single-day tickets; two-day tickets are also available.
###
