Air Show Forces Closures on Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Roads

NASA is hosting the MAX POWER aerospace festival at Kennedy Space Center this weekend, November 7 and 8, 2026.

The two-day event marks America's 250th anniversary and features the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, NASA aircraft, and astronaut appearances. The festival consists of three separately ticketed experiences: the Air Dot Show, UP.Summit, and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Gates for the Air Dot Show open at 9 a.m. both days, with aerial performances running from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. UP.Summit, which showcases autonomous vehicles and drones, operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

NASA officials and astronauts will lead discussions on the experimental X-59 aircraft and future Moon bases. Question-and-answer sessions with astronauts are scheduled for both days of the air show. Shuttle transportation connects select venues for guests holding valid tickets for their next destination. NASA has also released a mobile app for event schedules and maps.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge officials have announced temporary access restrictions from November 4 through November 8 at the request of Kennedy Space Center. These measures protect visitors and natural resources during flight operations. The Peacock Road, a 2.5-mile stretch located immediately west of the Shuttle Landing Facility runway, is closed to all public access. This includes vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Only emergency personnel may enter this area, which is near the designated aerobatic box.

Additional closures take effect on November 7 and 8. The Palm and Oak Trail, Center Road, the south end of BioLab Road, and Eastern Gator Creek Road will be inaccessible. The Refuge Visitor Center and the Black Point Wildlife Drive remain open throughout the closure period. Other accessible areas include the Scrub Ridge Trail, Pine Flatwoods Trail, West Gator Creek Road, and Catfish Creek Road. BioLab Drive remains partially open, with vehicle access permitted from the northern entrance to the Max Hoeck Road intersection.

The southern access gate of BioLab Drive is closed by the National Park Service, affecting approximately 0.85 miles of the six-mile drive. Pedestrians and bicyclists can still use that restricted section. The Peacock's Pocket impoundment levee remains accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists from the western access point, but the eastern approach via Peacock's Pocket Road is closed. Normal access to all affected facilities is scheduled to resume on Monday, November 9, 2026.