The universe is vast, and for those who keep their eyes on the night sky, the top 10 festivals dedicated to UFOs and alien lore offer a perfect excuse to travel, mingle with fellow believers, and maybe even catch a glimpse of something truly otherworldly. Below we dive into each spectacular gathering, complete with dates, activities, and the quirky history that makes every event a must‑see for any cosmic curious.
Why These Are the Top 10 Festivals for UFO Fans
10 Roswell UFO Festival
Roswell, New Mexico, proudly wears the badge of “UFO capital of the world,” and the legend began with a mysterious 1947 crash. Rancher Mac Brazel stumbled upon strange debris on his land, prompting a call to the local sheriff. Within hours, soldiers from the nearby air force base arrived to retrieve the enigmatic material.
The military claimed the wreckage was part of a test involving dummies to study pilot impacts, while later government statements hinted at a covert atomic espionage operation. The truth remains a tantalizing mystery, fueling endless speculation about a possible flying saucer.
Every summer, from late June to early July, the Roswell UFO Festival spreads across four action‑packed days, drawing thousands of visitors. Activities range from a planetarium show to the “Alien Chase” 5‑kilometer (3‑mile) or 10‑kilometer (6‑mile) walk/run, a costume contest, a dazzling light parade, and a window‑decorating competition. Attendees can also collect a special passport that gets stamped throughout the event, granting access to exclusive goodies and collectibles.
9 Exeter UFO Festival
Exeter, New Hampshire, earned its UFO fame thanks to a dramatic alien abduction in 1961 and a startling sighting in 1965. In 1961, Betty and Barney Hill were traveling through the White Mountains when they encountered a spacecraft and later reported a brief abduction. Initially suffering from amnesia, the couple underwent hypnotherapy, which revealed remarkably matching recollections of the event.
Two years later, local residents—including several police officers—witnessed unusual lights and flying objects on the same night, cementing Exeter’s reputation as a UFO hot spot. The town has hosted an annual festival for the past five years, drawing experts and enthusiasts alike.
All proceeds from the Exeter UFO Festival benefit local children’s charities. In 2017, the celebration took place on Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, offering speakers, food, music, souvenirs, and even a free trolley ride that shuttles guests to the historic 1965 incident site for a closer look.
8 Alien Festival
Capilla del Monte, a small Argentine town perched 800 kilometers (500 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires, transforms into a pilgrimage site for UFO lovers each year. The town’s fascination began in 1986 when a peculiar circle of burned grass was discovered near the prominent Uritorco Hill, sparking countless reports of UFO sightings in the region.
Visitors to the festival climb the 2,000‑meter (6,500‑foot) Uritorco Hill to explore alleged energy fields and a rumored portal to another dimension—plus the views are spectacular. While many locals claim personal encounters with unidentified craft, the celebration also embraces broader pop‑culture tributes, honoring everything from Star Wars to E.T. and the classic green‑alien archetype.
The Argentine festival blends serious UFO enthusiasm with light‑hearted fandom, offering a unique blend of mysticism, sci‑fi reverence, and community spirit that draws thousands of international guests each year.
7 Alien Encounter Festival
In 2017, Aurora, Texas, commemorated the 120th anniversary of its infamous alien encounter. On April 17, 1897, townsfolk reported an “airship” that crashed into a local judge’s windmill. The wreckage, described as a cigar‑shaped, metallic silver object, allegedly contained the remains of an alien creature, later named Ned.
Ned was given a Christian burial in the Aurora Cemetery, and local lore insists his remains must never be disturbed. Supposedly, hieroglyphic‑like papers were found on the creature, but they vanished shortly after. The festival features a documentary screening, vendor stalls, and shuttle tours that whisk visitors to both the crash site and Ned’s burial ground.
Attendees can also explore hands‑on exhibits, enjoy live entertainment, and soak up the historic atmosphere that keeps Aurora’s extraterrestrial legacy alive.
6 Awakening UFO & Conscious Life Expo
The Awakening Expo in Manchester, England, offers a distinctive blend of UFO fascination and spiritual exploration. Beyond celebrating the possibility of extraterrestrials, the event encourages participants to delve into holistic practices such as Reiki, crystal healing, and other consciousness‑raising treatments.
Highlights include an FBI‑style alien interrogation room, animatronic displays from famous sci‑fi movies, and a Star Wars‑inspired cantina bar. Notable speakers feature Erich von Däniken, author of Ancient Aliens, and Emmy‑winning journalist Linda Moulton Howe, alongside experts discussing afterlife communication, crop circles, and Stonehenge mysteries.
A life‑size replica UFO towers on site, prompting visitors to contemplate humanity’s purpose, potential government cover‑ups, and the possibility of receiving messages from beyond. The next Awakening Expo is slated for 2018, promising an unforgettable fusion of the uncanny and the contemplative.
5 McMenamins UFO Festival
McMinnville, Oregon, hosts the McMenamins UFO Festival each May, typically spanning May 18‑21. The celebration traces its roots to a 1950 UFO sighting captured by a local couple, whose photographs of a flying saucer over their farm are regarded as the most credible visual evidence of an unidentified craft.
The festival spotlights themes of mass abductions, government secrecy, and contemporary sightings, drawing experts ranging from UFO researchers to former Air Force personnel. Attendees enjoy live music, a “landing party,” an alien costume parade, a pet costume contest, a bustling gift shop, and a 5‑kilometer (3‑mile) run.
One of the event’s signature attractions is the Alienator Ale, a handcrafted brew served alongside prizes for the best costume at the Alien Costume Ball, ensuring a spirited and flavorful celebration for all.
4 Shag Harbour UFO Festival
Nova Scotia’s Shag Harbour, often dubbed the “Roswell of Canada,” marks its 50th anniversary of the famed 1967 UFO incident with a vibrant festival. On an October night that year, bright lights streaked across the sky before a mysterious object crashed into the Atlantic, emitting a dim, yellow glow as it floated on the water.
Initially mistaken for a plane crash, the incident drew the attention of Canadian authorities, who attempted to track the craft but were distracted by a nearby Russian submarine. According to local lore, the UFO managed to evade the submarine’s pursuit, adding to the mystery.
The three‑day celebration (September 29‑October 1 in 2017) features bus tours to the original impact site, realistic reenactments, live music, dancing, costume contests, and talks from eyewitnesses, all set against the backdrop of a dedicated museum housing hands‑on artifacts.
3 ‘Out Of This World’ UFO Festival & Conference
Edinburg, Texas, commemorates a chilling 1966 incident where eight construction workers uncovered a luminous, humming phenomenon while digging a gravel pit. The encounter escalated as intense winds and fire erupted, destroying the workers’ shelter, trucks, and equipment, forcing them to flee the site.
Local residents also reported hovering lights, and the event has since attracted a roster of top‑tier experts—including alien researchers, authors, FBI agents, and Derrel Sims, known as “The Alien Hunter” from the Discovery Channel’s Uncovering Aliens. The festival blends education and entertainment with food, live music, costume contests, guided walking tours of the 1966 site, laser light shows, and alien‑inspired artwork.
Participants leave with a deeper appreciation of UFO history and a fresh perspective on the mysteries that linger over Edinburg’s sky.
2 Pine Bush UFO Fair
Pine Bush, New York, has hosted its UFO Fair since the 1960s, turning the town into a hub for sky‑watchers and alien aficionados. Over decades, residents have reported countless mysterious lights and aircraft, prompting author Ellen Crystall to spend ten years researching the phenomenon, culminating in her 1990s book Silent Invasions.
The fair blends family fun with ufology, offering a wide variety of food, live music, and a parade. An “Eye Spy Alien” game challenges attendees to locate hidden extraterrestrials throughout the grounds, while the Miss Galaxy contest celebrates costume creativity.
Visitors can also explore the Paranormal Center, where groups discuss sightings, evidence, and personal encounters, fostering a community that embraces both curiosity and camaraderie.
1 Cardwell UFO Festival
Cardwell, Queensland, proudly hosts Australia’s sole UFO festival, drawing enthusiasts from across the continent. Although Cardwell’s settlement dates back over 150 years, the festival is now in its fourth edition, celebrating the nation’s growing fascination with extraterrestrial sightings.
Surrounding towns are also known for unusual celestial events, and the 2016 gathering attracted over 2,000 fans. Highlights include the C‑Files forum for expert discussions, a UFO Triathlon, the Monster Market merchandise stalls, and a community chalk‑art area where artists showcase alien‑themed creations.
Family‑friendly activities abound, such as an activity tent, face painting, costume‑making workshops, and the “Space Race” treasure hunt. For Star Wars devotees, the Mos Eisley Cantina offers a themed bar experience. Held on June 3, 2017, the festival also provides an opportunity to view Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in the night sky—perhaps even a saucer of its own.