Space Center Houston's Moon 2 Mars Festival Returns for Fifth Year in 2026

Space Center Houston's Moon 2 Mars Festival, presented by Wellby Financial, is running through Saturday at 1601 E NASA Pkwy, offering Harris County families a four-day spring break program that stretches from daytime STEM labs into evening concerts under the stars. The fifth annual festival opened March 11 and closes March 14.

The Wallflowers headlined Friday evening, and 311 takes the stage Saturday night to close out the weekend concert run. Both acts anchor a broader program that Space Center Houston president and CEO William Harris framed in deliberate terms: "The Moon to Mars Festival, presented by Wellby Financial, the Official Credit Union of Space Center Houston, is a spring break destination that offers a unique experience for families, space enthusiasts, food lovers and music fans. As the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, this signature event captures our shared purpose: to bring people and space closer together. We're not just exploring space but shaping the future."

Daytime programming spans robotics, rocket builds, virtual reality, and planetarium access, alongside the American premiere of The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks, an immersive experience available during festival hours. Mission: Sketch, designed specifically for young space explorers, rounds out the hands-on offerings. Guests can also board NASA tram tours that stop at the Astronaut Training Facility, Rocket Park, and the broader Johnson Space Center campus. More than 400 space-flown artifacts are on display throughout Space Center Houston during the festival's run.

Four named activations anchor the festival grounds. The Innovation Tent operates with support from the United States Space Force. The Education Tent runs alongside a Wellby Financial Members Area, a hospitality lounge open exclusively to Wellby members. The Starbase Beer Garden features Space Center Houston's Starbase Brewing collaboration, Go for Launch, available for purchase by guests 21 and older. Starbase Brewing is also sampling space-themed brews on site.

Tickets range from $34.95 to $150. Space Center Houston advises that all events are subject to change due to weather or other concerns, and recommends checking with the venue before arriving.