The Novato Space Festival is a volunteer staffed, admission free event that relies on a variety of funding sources. Since the event is not supported in any way by government grants or programs, business sponsors are needed to cover event expenses. Surplus funds are used by The Space Station Museum to assist with operational costs and outreach education programs.

With an attendance of around 8,000 visitors, The Novato Space Festival is one of the Bay Area’s most popular festivals! It is a one-day indoor/outdoor event usually held in August in the Pacheco Plaza Center. Visitors get to meet legendary astronauts! Activities also include: seeing a full size replica of the Lunar Module and Lunar Rover, telescope viewing of the Sun, spaceship model building, inter-active displays from NASA & Virgin Galactic, sit in a fighter plane cockpit from the USS Hornet Museum.