Your ultimate guide to the holidays with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center + save on Space Camp®

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Celebrate the holidays the Rocket City way this year from November to New Year’s Eve—discover how you can experience the astronomical event of the Nativity and close the year dancing under the Saturn V. 🚀

Keep reading to see how the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is bringing memorable holiday experiences + deals you can only find in Huntsville. 👇

1. Star of Bethlehem  INTUITIVE® Planetarium shows

_{Don’t miss the Star of Bethlehem show this holiday season. (U.S. Space & Rocket Center)}

If you’ve been to Cocktails & Cosmos, you already know what makes a show at the  INTUITIVE® Planetarium so special.

The USA Today’s Reader’s Choice #1 Planetarium hosts themed seasonal shows year-round, including a special “Star of Bethlehem” show for one month only.

“Balancing both science and religion, we’ll explore theories on what celestial phenomenon may have led the Magi to the Nativity more than 2,000 years ago.”

U.S. Space & Rocket Center INTUITIVE® Planetarium team

• 📍 Where: INTUITIVE® Planetarium
• 🗓️ Showtimes:
  • Friday, November 27, 7PM (Thanksgiving weekend)
  • Friday, December 18, 7PM
  • Saturday, December 19, 7PM
  • Sunday, December 20, 4:30PM (matinee)
  • Monday, December 21, 7PM
  • Tuesday, December 22, 7PM
  • Wednesday, December 23, 7PM
  • Saturday, December 26, 7PM
  • Sunday, December 27, 4:30PM (matinee)
• 🎟️ Get tickets ($14/child, $19/adult)
• 👉 Pro tip: Arrive early to get a good seat + grab a snack + drink

2. Tinsel Trail in Big Spring Park

The Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park is one of the most iconic Huntsville holiday traditions, featuring over 450 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, nonprofits and families.

Pro tip: Look out for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s tree for a sneak peek of the new Space Camp® experience launching in 2027, and scan the QR code on their display for a special surprise! 🤫

• 📍 Where: Big Spring Park
• 🗓️ When: November 27 — December 31, 2026
• 🎟️ Cost: Free

3. Black Friday Space Camp® Sale

If you’re looking for the perfect gift from Santa this year, let me clue you in on the best Black Friday deal. 🤫

For four days only, you can unlock $200 off select 2027 Space Camp® programs.

• 🗓️ Sale window: Friday, November 27 12:01AM — Monday, November 30, 11:59 PM
• 🎟️ Use discount code SPACE200 for $200 off:
  • Spring Break Space Camp + Space Academy Week 25 (March 14-19, 2027)
  • Summer 2027 weeklong, overnight Space Camp (ages 9-11) + Space Academy (ages 12-14)
  • Discount does not apply to Advanced Space Academy (ages 15-18), any Aviation Challenge Camp or any Robotics or Cyber Camp (cannot be combined with any other discount)
• 💻 Where to purchase: Online or by calling the Sales Center, 1-800-637-7223, Option 1

Space Camp is the gift that keeps giving. Who knows, your kid may become one of the next astronauts to fly around the moon like 5-time Space Camp grad + Artemis II crew member, Christina Koch.

4. Mars Masquerade New Year’s celebration (21+)

What could be a more Huntsville way to end the year than watching the ball drop under the Saturn V rocket?

Sip cosmic drinks and dance into the new year at the Mars Masquerade, a 21+ masquerade-themed New Year’s Eve celebration featuring:

• 🍴 Heavy hors d’oeuvres + dessert station
• 🎶 Music by ‘The Flashbacks,’ a premier North AL cover band
• 🥂 Midnight ball drop with champagne toast

Get the details:

• 📍 Where: Saturn V Hall in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration
• 🗓️ When: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 8:30PM
  • Doors open: 8PM | Event ends: 1AM
• 🎟️ Get tickets
  • Member: $100/individual, $180/couple
  • Non-member: $125/individual, $200/couple

Plan your visit to the world’s largest space museum

🎅 Pro tip: For an educational holiday experience at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, ask for a Spirit of Santa Scavenger Hunt guide from the Guest Services desk to solve nine special holiday-themed clues around the museum (with a prize at the end!).

PS: Winter hours are in effect now through February 28, 2027:

• Museum hours: Daily 10AM-4PM
• Gift shop hours: Daily 10AM-5PM
• Where: U.S. Space & Rocket Center One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805
• Admission: $20/child (ages 5-12), $30/adult, FREE for members + children ages 0-4

Ready to visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center this winter? Find visit information here!

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