The UFO Festival celebrates humanity's fascination with extraterrestrial phenomena and the wonders that await beyond the stars. As the world's largest gathering of UFO enthusiasts and hunters, the event features parades, a fair, movie screenings, cosplay, and even a petting zoo. Held at the site of the "Roswell Incident" in early July, the festival attracts about 45,000 fans. Attendees enjoy live entertainment, family-friendly activities, guest speakers, authors, costume contests, and perhaps even an alien abduction.
Events
For three days, the city of Roswell is invaded by aliens, star troopers, magicians, and various movie characters. One of the main highlights is the Alien Human and Pet Costume Contest. Other must-see events include the Spectacular Electric Light Parade, the Sci-Fi Film Festival, the Roswell Daily Record Film Festival, Spaceport Roswell, Galacticon, and the Steampunk Ball. Beyond entertainment, the festival offers an extensive educational program featuring meetings with world-renowned UFOlogists, Planetarium Laser Light Shows, the UFO Museum, crash site tours, and more.
AlienFest Light Parade (July 6, 2024)
Attendees can look forward to a night of extraterrestrial excitement and cosmic fun on Saturday at 8 p.m. The parade route will take them from College Blvd. south to 3rd St., transforming the town into a glowing galaxy of lights and wonders. Spectators will experience the magic of illuminated floats, dancing aliens, and out-of-this-world displays.
Planetarium Laser Shows
At the Goddard Planetarium, legendary music meets stunning laser light visuals. Visitors can enjoy hits from Taylor Swift, Queen, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and more, all under the Planetarium’s 40-foot dome. Admission to the Laser Shows is $15, with free entry for children ages three and under.
Activities
Kids will definitely enjoy free activities like the alien hat-making workshop, crazy alien hair, and various alien masks. The Galacticon at the Roswell Civic Center features vendors with hundreds of comic books, collectibles, and games. The most sportive attendees of all ages can join the Alien Chawhichthat features a 10K run, 10K walk, 5K run, and a 5K walk.
Venues and Tickets
Most events at the 2024 UFO Festival are free of charge, with some priced between $5 and $50. Venues include the Roswell Convention and Civic Center, the International UFO Museum and Research Center, Downtown Roswell, Pioneer Plaza, the Miniatures & Curious Collections Museum, and Main Street Roswell. Performances will be held on the main and cultural stages.
Origins of the Festival
A mysterious object fell on a ranch north of Roswell, New Mexico, in early July 1947. First, the authorities informed that they recovered a crashed "flying disk," but later changed their statement claiming the object was just a weather balloon. Nevertheless, thousands of people still believe that it was a UFO crash and mark its anniversary every year with the UFO Festival.
