UFO Festival, New Mexico | The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

What is the UFO Festival?

Was it an alien encounter, a weather balloon, or a flying saucer? The event known as the Roswell Incident quickly swept through the nation in 1947. The “UFO Capital of the World” is known internationally by UFO enthusiasts and deniers alike!

The City of Roswell is excited to open its doors to a worldwide audience for the 2026 Annual UFO Festival. This destination Festival will include plenty of immersive experiences, live music, local food, out-of-this-world photo ops, as well as other family friendly events happening all over the city.

Experience at the UFO Festival

UFO Festival Roswell is one of the well-known festivals of New Mexico and is celebrated for 3 days in July. The town of Roswell invites UFO enthusiasts from around the world to join the festivities with them. People from the US and tourists from around the world travel to New Mexico especially to attend this festival.

What is so exciting about this festival? Firstly, people dress up as aliens for this festival as there are full swing costume parties and various alien costume competitions. Many of the activities are free of charge for kids and families.

Highlights:

• 5k Alien Themed Parade “Alien Chase”
• Vintage Fairs showcasing alien & robot toys.
• Planetarium Tours
• Alien Research Scientists/Speakers
• Tour of the Roswell UFO Crash site.

UFO Festival 2026 Schedule

There is a whole craft area for kids to create and have fun. Different alien-related gaming contests are also held for people of all ages. There is an Electric light parade and Planetarium Light Show. This isn’t even half of it.

The festival consists of various musical entertainments, magic shows, aliens, and comedians. If you happen to love theatre, there are UFO-specific theatre shows which are prepared specifically for theatre lovers.

During the festival, Galacticon and the Sci-fi film fest are conducted and a lot of people love it. As people love taking photographs and selfies, there is a whole photo booth corner set for people to take photographs for free.

The food and drink stalls are set up for the whole week so the people can enjoy the festival with delicious food. Well-known alien speakers and Ufologists from around the world attend this festival. They conduct various lectures and discussions at the International UFO Museum and Research Centre.

Where to stay in Roswell

Are you planning to arrive close to the time of UFO Festival? If yes, then it is recommended that you book one of the hotels in Roswell or hotels near the town.

The hotels present in the town will offer various discounts and rewards, especially during the festival. The bookings start months before the festival, so you need to stay alert and book your hotel room in advance.

Some of the hotel recommendations are Comforts Suites Roswell, Holiday Inn Rosewell, and Candlewood Suites Roswell. Head to the map below for the best apartment and hotel deals in town.

What to do in Roswell

During the UFO Festival week, you will love the entire festivity in Roswell. But what to do if you arrive a week before or if you are staying a few more weeks after the festival?

Be sure to visit the world-famous UFO Museum and Research Center, Bottomless Lakes State Park, Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge, Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art (free admission), Roswell Museum and Art Center (free admission), Walker Aviation Museum (free admission), Spring River Zoo (free admission), all of which are located in Roswell.