Feeling festive: Your guide to April fairs and festivals in Brevard
We've rounded up more than a dozen fun fairs and festivals happening around Brevard in April, 2024.
Event details are subject to change, so we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.
Florida Tech’s Homecoming Fest in Indialantic
The alternative rock band Plain White T’s will headline Florida Tech’s 2024 Homecoming Fest at Nance Park, 201 N. Miramar Ave., Indialantic, from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 5. Other musical acts scheduled to perform are the national acts ALEXSUCKS and The Kaleidoscope Kid and DJ Tommy MOT based out of Orlando. The free outdoor event will include food, family activities and more. Due to limited parking on site, guests are encouraged to park on the Florida Tech campus at the Clemente Center, 3011 Panther Place, or in front of Residence Hall Circle, 2745 Country Club Road, and use complimentary shuttles to the event. Shuttles will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission is free. Visit fit.edu.
'15 Minutes of Fame' film festival in Cocoa
The 15 Minutes of Fame film festival, produced by Brevard filmmakers Ray and Migdala Etheridge, will screen 28 short films, including some produced by Florida filmmakers. It will be at the Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library, 308 Forrest Ave., Cocoa, on Saturday, April 6 starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. For details on the films and showtimes, visit etheridgeproductions.com.
Amateur Backyard BBQ contest in Cocoa
The Sharing Center of Central Brevard will host its 9th annual Amateur Backyard BBQ contest at F. Burton Smith Park, 7575 W. King Street, Cocoa, on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Amateur teams from across Brevard will vie for the title of Amateur Champion Griller in three categories: beef, pork and chicken. Each team will provide samples of their barbecue for the public to vote for the People’s Choice Champion Griller. Tickets are $20. Proceeds will benefit the Sharing Center’s weekend feeding program. Visit sharingcenterbbqcontest.com or call 321-631-4492.
Sonic Waves Music Festival in EGAD
WFIT's Sonic Waves Music Festival will take place on Saturday, April 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Intracoastal Brewing Company, 652 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., in the Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD). Zeddemore will headline, featuring David Pastorius on bass. Local 518, The Mean Violets and Tina Eno round out the lineup. Admission is free. Call 321-674-8950 or visit wfit.org or facebook.com/events/1462016941191858.
Blueberry Fest in Wickham Park
Blueberries take front and center at the Blueberry Fest, going on at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for the outdoor, family-friendly event that includes blueberries, an ax-throwing tournament, a frisbee dog show, train rides, arts and crafts, bounce houses, pie-eating contest and a petting farm. A portion of the festival proceeds will benefit The Children’s Hunger Project. Call 386-860-0092 or visit melbournefest.com or facebook.com/events/725763072572521.
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Shuttlefest III in Titusville
The American Space Museum hosts their annual celebration of the space shuttle era at the Hyatt Place Titusville, 6299 Riverfront Center Blvd., on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “More than Astronomy Missions,” and will feature space workers and astronauts who participated in various shuttle missions. ShuttleFest III will include panel discussions, an "Art in Space" panel with Chris Calle, presentations by Eric Pearlman on Webb Telescope discoveries and a "Look to the Future" panel with private space industry leaders. Admission is a $20 donation to the museum. Call 321-264-0434, email [email protected] or visit spacewalkoffame.org.
Downtown Melbourne Botanical Fest
It's easy being green with the help of Melbourne Main Street’s Botanical Fest, which will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at the parking lot of the 1900 Building at the corner of U.S.1 and New Haven Ave. in Melbourne. The family-friendly event attracts visitors from the region and features lavish landscape designs, garden sculptures, flowers and plants, trees and shrubs, unique gifts, garden-themed art, great food and much more. Admission is free. Parking is available at the City of Melbourne public parking lots including the free parking garage. Visit facebook.com/events/3455011471404036 or downtownmelbourne.com.
Cocoa Village Book Fest
This literary celebration will be at Myrt Tharpe Square in Cocoa Village on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be opportunities to connect with local authors, a story walk, book readings at participating businesses and more. Admission is free. Visit visitcocoavillage.com.
Founders’ Day at Field Manor
The Field Manor Foundation will be holding their annual Founders' Day fundraiser on Saturday, April 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at 750 Field Manor Drive. Merritt Island. There will be live music by Hot Pink, food trucks and a mini-market. Field Manor and Ais Native American educational information will also be available. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Admission and parking are free. Visit fieldmanor.org.
Melbourne Toy & Comic Con
Melbourne Toy & Comic Con will be held at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Blvd., on Sunday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors will sell comics and toys, and there will be a cosplay contest, panels, gaming and more. Scheduled guests include stunt performer Kevin Foster, actor Rochelle Davis, artists Billy Tucci, Nelson Ortega, Peter Smith, Elle Mangin and more. Admission is $10, or free for kids 10 and younger. Visit melbournetoyandcomiccon.com or facebook.com/melbournetoyandcomiccon.
‘Woof It Up’ in Cocoa Village
The Brevard County Dog Training Club presents “Woof It Up” AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village on Sunday, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family- and pet-friendly event will include canine demonstrations, dog agility course, lure course, food trucks, vendors and more. Call 321-917-3531, email [email protected] or visit bcdtc.clubexpress.com.
Bark Brew Fest in Cocoa Village
The 32nd Bark Brew Fest will be at the Dirty Oar Beer Company, 329 King Street, Cocoa Village, on Saturday, April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. Dress in aloha wear and bring your canine companion to enjoy the fun, including bingo, goody bags, raffle baskets, an outside doggie beer garden and more. All pets must be on a leash or in appropriate carriers, and have current vaccinations and county tags. Proceeds will benefit Schnauzer Love Rescue. Call 321-305-4584 or visit tailsatthebarkery.com or visitcocoavillage.com.
Melbourne Art Festival in Wickham Park
The Melbourne Art Festival, which draws tens of thousands of art and music lovers, is a vibrant family friendly event that promotes and encourages artistic endeavors, education and appreciation of the arts in Central Florida. This year’s festival at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, will feature artist booths, live music, kid-friendly activities, exhibitor displays and many food and beverage options. Proceeds will benefit the arts and art education in Central Florida. It will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28. Admission is free. Visit melbournearts.org or facebook.com/events/1077166600199199 or call 321-722-1964.
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Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: April fairs and festivals bring music, films, food and art to Brevard