Plan your weekend: 8 fun things to do in Brevard for March 29 through April 4

Christina LaFortune, Florida Today
·5 min read

Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.

1. East Coast Dog Surfing Festival in Cocoa Beach

The East Coast Dog Surfing Festival at Lori Wilson Park on Sunday, March 31 will include dog costume contests and of course, dog surfing.
The East Coast Dog Surfing Festival at Lori Wilson Park on Sunday, March 31 will include dog costume contests and of course, dog surfing.

The Brevard Humane Society presents the 12th annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Hosted by the Brevard Humane Society and presented by Ron Jon Surf Shop, this unique dog-centric event takes place at Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. The day of fun in the sun for people and their tail-wagging friends includes dog surfing lessons, a dog Easter costume contest at 10 a.m., a dog bikini contest at 1 p.m., food and beverage vendors and, of course, the dog surfing championships. Although dogs are not typically allowed on the beach in Cocoa Beach, for a nominal fee dogs can join humans on the sand and surf. Admission is free, dog surfing lessons are $10, beach access for dogs is $5, and registration for the dog surfing championships are $25. Call the Humane Society at 321-636-3343, extension 204, or visit brevardhumanesociety.org.

Get the paw-ty started: Surfing pups will 'hang four' at the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival in Cocoa Beach

2. Easter Bonnet competition at Surfside Playhouse

Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach will host its first annual Easter Bonnet competition on Saturday, March 30. Visit surfsideplayhouse.com.
Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach will host its first annual Easter Bonnet competition on Saturday, March 30. Visit surfsideplayhouse.com.

Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, will host an Easter bonnet competition on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m. Contestants will create original hats and compete for prizes including most innovative, best Easter theme, most avant garde, all recycled materials and best in show. Proceeds will benefit the Brevard Cultural Alliance. Admission is $5. Call 702-250-5684 or visit surfsideplayhouse.com.

3. Art events around Brevard

Art spills out unto the street during the “Art in Bloom” celebration on Saturday, March 30 at Downtown Art Gallery in Titusville.
Art spills out unto the street during the “Art in Bloom” celebration on Saturday, March 30 at Downtown Art Gallery in Titusville.

  • ‘Art in Bloom’ at Downtown Art Gallery: Celebrate spring at the Downtown Art Gallery, 400 Orange Street, Titusville, on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gallery artists will show their latest work with outdoor displays and demonstrations. Painters Michael Boelke and Terry Cope will show their art featuring local waterways, flora and fauna. There will also be complimentary mimosas, lemonade and cookies. Call 321-268-0122 or visit thedowntownartgallery.com.

  • ‘Floridian Flora & Fauna’ exhibit at Studios of Cocoa Beach: The Studios of Cocoa Beach, 165 Minutemen Causeway, will feature a solo exhibition by artist Pete Steenland from April 1 through 28. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. Steenland’s new work, inspired by the Everglades, is a part of a larger project emphasizing abstraction of his aesthetically realistic style. He most often creates large images and uses any combination of watercolor, gesso, oils, acrylics, Conte-crayon, India ink and other unexpected media. Visit studiosofcocoabeach.org.

4. Catch some live theater

Steven Wolf as "Willie Clark" and Terrence Girard as "Al Lewis" in the comedy "The Sunshine Boys," on stage at Melbourne Civic Theatre through April 28, 2024. Visit mymct.org.
Steven Wolf as "Willie Clark" and Terrence Girard as "Al Lewis" in the comedy "The Sunshine Boys," on stage at Melbourne Civic Theatre through April 28, 2024. Visit mymct.org.

  • ‘Diana, the Musical’: The show is playing at the Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, through April 7. After her fairytale wedding, Princess Diana faces a distant husband, an unmovable monarchy and overwhelming media scrutiny in this musical imagining of her story. Tickets start at $37. Call 321-723-8698 or visit henegarcenter.com.

  • ‘May We All: A New Country Musical’: The show is on stage at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, through April 7. Welcome to Harmony, the town that's saving a song for you in this brand-new jukebox country musical by Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line. The show spotlights the spirit and sense of community that is the core of country music. Tickets start at $29. Call 321-268-1125 or visit titusvilleplayhouse.com.

  • ‘The Sunshine Boys’: The play is on stage at Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., through April 28. Steven Wolf and Terrence Girard star in Neil Simon’s comedy about the reunion of a former vaudeville team who are no longer speaking. Tickets are $35. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.

5. Bad Bunny Pub Crawl in Cocoa Village

Revelers 21 and older are invited to bar hop through historic Cocoa Village with the Bad Bunny Easter Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 30 from 6 p.m. to midnight. The event starts at the Elks Lodge, 315 Florida Ave., Cocoa at 6 p.m., followed by Murdock’s Bistro at 7 p.m., George & Dragon at 8 p.m., Village Biergarten at 9 p.m., Pub Americana at 10 p.m. and Dog N Bone at 11 p.m. There will be costume contests, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and more. Tickets for six drinks cost $20 in advance or $30 on the day of the event. Call 321-543-1346 or visit madhatterpromotions.com.

6. 'Gospel on the Lawn' in Rockledge

Councilwoman Sammie Brown Martin hosts a free “Gospel on the Lawn” program at the Rockledge City Hub, 1600 Huntington Lane, on Friday, March 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. The non-denominational event will include singers, musicians and praise dancers showcasing their musical talents. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Admission is free. Call 321-543-2193 or email swbmartin@cfl.rr.com.

7. Authors critique group in Melbourne

Local authors are invited to bring their work to be read and critiqued at the Suntree/Viera Public Library, 902 Jordan Blass Drive, Melbourne, on Thursday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Haven’t written anything yet? Come talk to the group and be inspired. Call 321-253-6628.

8. Tour the historic home at Green Gables

Artist Emily Neel painted this image of the historic home at Green Gables in Melbourne. Visit greengables.org.
Artist Emily Neel painted this image of the historic home at Green Gables in Melbourne. Visit greengables.org.

Green Gables, 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, will host an open house on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The historic home is a living history museum showcasing life in the early years of Melbourne. Visitors will learn about the history of the Wells family, who played a key role in the development of the community. The cost is $10, or free for children 12 and younger. Visit greengables.org.

Do you have a community event? Email tgif@floridatoday.com at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Our picks: Top 8 fun things to do in Brevard this weekend