Step into a global celebration of space, unity, and human possibility as Kennedy Under the Stars joins with Yuri’s Night to host their official East Coast flagship event. This year, the worldwide organization honors the first human in space and the launch of the first Space Shuttle, both with anniversaries on April 12.
For one unforgettable night, the visitor complex transforms into an illuminated, after‑hours experience where space enthusiasts and explorers of all ages gather to experience the attractions after hours, meet astronauts, hear from special guests, and have some fun on the dance floor.
Favorite Kennedy Under the Stars experiences return, such as:
Live DJ entertainment and dance party in NASA Central
Cosmic Glow Mini Golf in the Rocket Garden
Live “street” entertainment
Astronaut meet and greet (announced soon)
After-hours access to many visitor complex attractions*
Don’t forget! Space-themed costumes are encouraged, but no face coverings or weapons will be permitted (no costume contests).
New with the addition of Yuri’s Night are favorite Yuri’s Night characters, and fireside chats with notable guests in the space industry. Listen to a sit-down, casual conversation as we touch on topics like launching into space, the influence space has on all our lives, and where the future of space exploration is headed. Two panel discussions will take place inside the IMAX theater, starting at 7:00 and 8:00 PM, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Organizer
The concept of Yuri’s Night was first conceived by Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides, George T. Whitesides, and Trish Garner during the Space Generation Forum at the UNISPACE III conference in 1999. The Vienna Declaration after UNISPACE III set up a new World Space Week “between 4 and 10 October for the yearly celebration at the international level.” This event was timed to commemorated the launch of Sputnik 1 on Oct 4 and the signing of the UN Outer Space Treaty on Oct 10. Wishing to specifically celebrate the human aspects of spaceflight, George and Loretta moved ahead with planning for the first Yuri’s Night event on April 12: a dual anniversary of human spaceflight achievements. In 2000, Yuri’s Night was announced as an event in LA scheduled for April 12, 2001. Friends and colleagues, including those from the Space Generation Forum, asked to host their own celebrations around the world at the same time. The World Space Party was born and continues to rock the planet today!
From 2001 until 2010, Yuri’s Night was a project of the Space Generation Advisory Council and run under the non-profit Space Generation Foundation in the United States. In 2010 Yuri’s Night became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. As of 2022, the name of the nonprofit is changing to The SpaceKind Foundation to better reflect the variety of programs and projects being supported. The Yuri’s Night name and branding will continue to be used for global outreach events.
The mission of The SpaceKind Foundation is to use the excitement and inspiration of space as a catalyst for educating and developing the next generation of explorers. We fulfill this mission through a commitment to:
- empowering leaders: in making a difference, pursuing their dreams, and inspiring others to do the same.
- building communities: working shoulder to shoulder on visionary projects, overcoming barriers and finding common ground.
- bridging cultures: be they geographic, social or technical, we are all learning to speak each other’s languages.
- encouraging science literacy: bringing people hands-on experiences and passionate storytelling to explore their physical world and nurture their love of learning.
- promoting a sustainable and peaceful future: sharing “the Overview Effect” with all people, inspiring them to take ownership of our home planet and the future of humanity.