Cocoa Beach Art Scene: Top 5 Spots to Explore

So, if you’re looking for a mix of sun, sand, and something a little more enriching, like your favorite local art scene, Cocoa Beach, Florida, could be just the ticket. A bit more than just a surf spot, it offers, too, a surprisingly active arts community. Very from galleries to theaters, Cocoa Beach is somewhere those interested in tapping into the area’s creativity will want to be. Below are just some of the places that stand out.

1. The Beachside Art Gallery

The Beachside Art Gallery is where you might want to start. Rather tucked away, almost like a gem, it’s a co-op gallery run by local artists. Displaying a very wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and jewelry, a visit here gives a taste of local talent. There is an inviting atmosphere too it’s almost impossible not to enjoy yourself.

In a way, the co-op setup means you’re getting art straight from those who created it. If you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to chat with one of the artists about their work! Visiting is free, and the prices are rather decent. A visit is often highly enjoyable and one can buy directly from the creators to boot!

2. Cocoa Beach Art Show

Typically taking place each year, this outdoor art event brings the whole community together to show off beautiful creations. The Cocoa Beach Art Show is a large display of local pride and craft and brings in talent from all around Florida and beyond. With artists showing off their amazing skills from drawing to sculpture to performance art, you’ll almost certainly see works in a manner that will pique your interest.

There’s often live music, food vendors, and, sometimes, activities for kids. Very making it a day out for everyone. Just a bit be sure to check local listings for dates and times.

3. Surfside Playhouse

A visit to Cocoa Beach wouldn’t be fully satisfying without visiting a show. Located just south of Cocoa Beach, The Surfside Playhouse offers local theater. If you’re after live performances, the Surfside Playhouse could be where you can catch plays, musicals, and various other shows.

Seating almost 250, they provide quality, local entertainment in a comfortable setting. The Surfside Playhouse tends to operate all year and welcomes vacationers looking to get out of the sun to see performances by local actors.

4. Florida Air Museum (Fantasy of Flight)

This spot adds, in some respects, an unusual flavor to Cocoa Beach’s offerings, celebrating the marriage between aeronautics and design. You might wonder if a museum dedicated to aircraft counts as art, but here’s how this lines up to Cocoa Beach attractions. This place not just shows, too, old planes, but does it with style, often highlighting how their design reflects certain periods and ideas.

Seeing these old planes is much like visiting any other local attraction, just with an interesting historical bent. If that, and learning how design affects technology sounds like you, definitely drop in! Very educational.

5. Local Craft Fairs and Markets

Keep a close watch and you’ll see Cocoa Beach is often host to a number of small craft fairs and markets, particularly, arguably, during the cooler months and holidays. At this venue, the true heart of the local arts community displays their best offerings.

Small markets allow artists to show off work, and it makes for an interesting afternoon, and often results in picking up something interesting to take home! These markets, almost surprisingly, showcase various unique, handmade goods, ranging anywhere from art pieces to clothing to homemade food.