Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 13th of November.
Good morning, Melbourne.
🏘️ Community
The Holiday Illumination Celebration returns to Brevard Veterans Memorial Park on December 13 in Merritt Island (behind Merritt Square Mall) and will start with a Holiday Illumination 5K Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. followed by live music, food trucks, a Christmas marketplace, and family activities from 3 to 7 p.m. (sponsored by Triangle Auto).
💼 Business
United Launch Alliance rescheduled its Atlas V rocket launch for the ViaSat-3 F2 mission for today from Cape Canaveral with a 44-minute window starting at 10:04 p.m. EST—the team fixed a faulty liquid oxygen valve after last week's scrub, and the new satellite will more than double Viasat’s current bandwidth.
🎭 Culture
Eastern Florida State College’s Performing and Visual Arts Department invites the community to join Comfort and Joy, an evening concert of Christmas and sacred music spanning the Renaissance to today performed by the Brevard Chorale.
The concerts will be held on December 3 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Titusville and on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. at EFSC Cocoa Campus Simpkins Fine Arts Center—tickets cost $10 general admission and $5 for students with valid IDs.
On November 8, the Bocas Film Fest took place at GQT Theatre at Merritt Square Mall, where filmmaker Jake Estrada showcased local independent films.
The festival selected 20 films from 76 entries – giving local filmmakers a chance to shine.
🎓 Education
Two bills filed for the 2026 session propose requiring Florida elementary students from second to fifth grade to learn reading and writing cursive so that they must show proficiency by fifth grade—this recalls requirements last seen in 2010.
The House version will be heard on Nov. 18 by the Student Academic Success Subcommittee.
🏥 Health
Camp Bright Star—sponsored by Hospice of Health First—offers a free one-day camp twice each year for children who have lost a loved one, helping them heal through connection and community.
Health First Viera Hospital ranked 18 out of 27 best hospitals in Florida by Newsweek and is noted for high patient satisfaction — its staff dedication is credited with delivering quality care.
🏈 Sports
Nine Brevard County high school teams will begin their FHSAA playoff runs on Friday, Nov.
14, with Melbourne Central Catholic, Eau Gallie, Merritt Island, Cocoa, and Viera hosting home games while teams from Melbourne, Rockledge, and Heritage play on the road. The schedule features key matchups such as Cocoa hosting Newberry in the Region 2-2A quarterfinals+ games start at 7 or 7:30 p.m.
The Eastern Florida State College men's soccer team clinched a spot in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament and will play as the No.6 seed in Pool C on Monday and Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Daytona State College—they finished the season 11-3-1 with 47 goals, ranking them among the top 25 scoring teams in the nation.
🎉 Melbourne Events
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Tim Hawkins Live Comedy Show
7-10 p.m. — Calvary Chapel Melbourne — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening filled with laughter from the hilarious Tim Hawkins.
Rocky Water Brew Fest 2025
1-5 p.m. — Eau Gallie Square Park — Free parking — Sample the finest craft beers from small breweries across Florida.
Chevy Chase Live Q&A
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts — Ticketed event — Celebrate holiday cheer with a screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and a Q&A with Chevy Chase.
Trusts Made Simple: A Smarter Way to Protect Your Family and Assets
10:00 AM – 11:30 PM — One Senior Place — Free entry — Learn how trusts can simplify estate planning and protect your assets in this informative session with a Q&A.
A Christmas Carol
2-5 p.m. — Henegar Center For the Arts — Ticket pricing available — Experience the classic tale of redemption in a vibrant theatrical setting.
The Christmas Market & More
4-8 p.m. — Viera Regional Park — Free entry — Explore holiday treats, unique gifts, and local artisans at this festive market.
Plant Market & More
10 AM – 2 PM — Downtown Melbourne Farmer's Market at Riverview Park — Free entry — Explore local growers, fresh produce, and artisanal offerings at this vibrant market.
Melbourne Speed Dating for Singles in Their 40s and 50s
2-4 p.m. — BeachFly Brewing Company — Ticket required — Meet potential matches in a fun, fast-paced dating environment.
AK40 Band Live Performance
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Squid Lips Grill — Enjoy a night of classic rock and funk with the AK40 Band's energetic performance.
🏠 Melbourne Real Estate
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💼 Melbourne Job Board
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📣 Melbourne Announcements
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