Weird Holidays & Observances: A Guide to UFO and Alien Days

Whether you believe in extraterrestrial life or not, one thing’s undeniable: how much the possibility of alien life pervades our culture. Sure, it’s been the inspiration for plenty of great science fiction movies and books. But join me in considering it from another angle. I submit into evidence Exhibit A: the variety of UFO and alien days.

Yes. Days as in plural. There is definitely more than one.

Let’s take a look at the six that are listed on the Weird Holidays & Observances page. Three directly observe UFO or alien days. The other three indirectly do.

1. Extraterrestrial Culture Day

In 2003, New Mexico State Representative Dan Foley introduced House Bill 766, which would’ve designated the second Thursday in February as Extraterrestrial Culture Day. It read:

“Extraterrestrial Culture Day” in recognition of the many visitations, sightings, unexplained mysteries, attributed technological advances, experimentations, expeditions, explorations, intrigues, provision of story lines for Hollywood epics and other accomplishments of alien beings from throughout the universe that have contributed to New Mexico’s worldwide recognition as a unique and dynamic mosaic of cultural anomalies. The day should be observed to celebrate and honor all past, present and future extraterrestrial visitors in ways to enhance relationships among all the citizens of the cosmos, known and unknown. and it was a state representative from Roswell who introduced a bill that as passed to make it an officially recognized holiday. At least in New Mexico.

HB766 didn’t pass, but the New Mexico House of Representatives passed HM44, Memorial legislation concerning the proposed day. It changed the celebration day from the second Thursday of February to the second Tuesday of the same month. That’s when it’s observed now.

While New Mexico officially recognizes Extraterrestrial Culture Day, paranormal and UFO enthusiasts alike also observe it too.

2. Alien Abduction Day

Unlike Extraterrestrial Culture Day, no one knows Alien Abduction Day’s origin story. It just mysteriously showed up one day on calendars that track weird and unusual days and stayed. (I kind of like Holiday Insights’ explanation for what happened to the day’s creator. They believe he was “abducted by aliens, and is rumored to be living on a planet in a galaxy far, far away.”)

Alien Abduction Day is celebrated on March 20 every year, which means that, depending on which day the spring equinox falls (March 19, 20, or 21), it might fall on the same day.

But what does it celebrate? Alien abductees? Alien abductee-wannabes? Those who believe alien abduction is possible, but vigilantly try to avoid it?

Basically all of the above. Alien Abduction Day recognizes the phenomenon of alien abductions in general.

3. First Contact Day

Thanks to the recently release UFO report, it seems that the U.S. government is a step closer to acknowledging the existence of UAPs. (At least they didn’t dismiss entirely again.) However, this UFO and alien day doesn’t celebrate something “real,” but rather fictional.

It’s a pop culture reference to Star Trek. Specifically, the first time contact was made with the Vulcans: April 5, 2063. That’s why it’s celebrated on April 5.

4. Star Wars Day

If we’re going to include a Star Trek-related day on this list (which we just did above), then there’s no way we can leave out Star Wars Day. May the 4th be with you!

5. World UFO Day (x2)

There are actually two World UFO Days: one on June 24 and the other on July 2. Why? That’s as mysterious as whether a UFO crashed in Roswell in 1947, which is what the July World UFO Day commemorates. It’s also the most widely recognized and celebrated World UFO Day.

However, the one in June commemorates when private pilot Kenneth Arnold spotted nine shiny unidentified flying objects flying at high speeds past Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947. He estimated the speeds were about 1,200 miles per hour, which was a heck of a lot faster than any known aircraft could fly at that time.

6. Space Exploration Day

Ben Franklin said, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained!”

Aliens may be coming to check out our planet, but to them, we’re the alien lifeforms when we journey from our planet to explore what’s beyond it. Our interest in knowing what else —and perhaps who else— is out there has led to all sorts of technological advances we now employ in our daily lives. (For instance, if you’re reading this on your phone, that’s among them.)

Space Exploration Day celebrates our journeys among the stars. It’s recognized every year on July 20.

Check-In

Did you know so many UFO and alien days existed? Or does it surprise you that there aren’t even more?