“I want to believe.” These are the words of notorious X-Files hero Fox Mulder, who convinced an entire generation that the truth is out there – we just have to find it. But on July 2, it won’t only be sci-fi enthusiasts trying out their ET sleuthing skills, as everyone on planet earth will have to opportunity to celebrate World UFO Day. UFOs have been the stuff of legend for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that freaky flying saucers grabbed national and international mainstream attention. Since then, UFOs have captured the minds of old and young alike, and witness’ stories have proliferated around the world. World UFO Day serves as a way for everyone to come together and watch the skies on the same night in search of UFOs, but that’s not its only purpose. Many see the holiday as a way to spread knowledge and awareness of UFOs, making a case for their existence, and hoping to make disciples out of the dubious. So why July 2? For many, this date represents the anniversary of the famed and all-but-confirmed 1947 incident in Roswell, New Mexico. Believers claim a UFO crash landed here, deep in the American southwest, but that the government has been covering it up ever since. What do you believe?
World UFO Day - Wednesday, July 2, 2025
If you’re a fan of little green men, you’re going to be stoked for World UFO Day. One of these days we just know that we’re going to finally meet our neighbors in the universe, and that day will be phenomenal beyond imagining. Whether they’re flying around in saucer shaped vessels, or something more akin to the massive ships we’ve seen in Independence Day, their arrival is going to change the way everyone views the universe. Let’s just hope they’re friendlier than those tentacled beasties from Independence Day!
History of World UFO Day
World UFO Day was organized by WorldUFODay.com in 2001, and was put together to bring together enthusiasts of UFO’s and the evidence they’ve all gathered to support their existence. Knowing that the possibility that we’ll one day encounter other intelligent life in the universe is practically 100%, they knew it was vital that people started having the dialogue about their arrival long before there was accepted proof that they arrived.
Many of them believe they already have arrived, and anyone who knows anything about UFO’s is aware of the stories of abductions and what is seen as the seminal event in UFO history, the crash at Roswell. While they believe that the governments of the world are presently hiding this information from the populace, this in no way discourages believers from continuing to search for the truth they’re certain is out there.
How to celebrate World UFO Day
Celebrating UFO Day happens in a lot of different ways, and the number of ways is as varied as the potential number of intelligent species in the known universe. UFO Enthusiasts gather around the world in known UFO hotspots like Rozwell New Mexico to share stories, provide support for other believers, and watch for the return of visitors in the night sky.
But this is hardly the only way to celebrate it, if you live in a small community of supporters or are merely quite far from the nearest large one, you can organize it yourself. Getting together with friends and family to watch UFO movies and share the gospel of the little green man is a great way to support awareness of UFO’s and the copious evidence out there supporting their existence.
Don’t forget to include some UFO themed treats to go with your event, neon green punch and ice-cream shaped like the head of little green men are just a couple of ways to go. If you’re truly innovative you can bake cakes in the shape of aliens, have green eggs and ham, or even make special candies to celebrate. Whatever you do, keep your eyes to the sky for World UFO Day.
World UFO Day timeline
- 1952
Birth of 'UFO'
The term ‘UFO’ for Unidentified Flying Object was coined by US Air Force officer Edward Ruppelt
- July 1947
The Roswell Incident
Farmers in Roswell, New Mexico report hearing a large crash, and later citizens recover wreckage of what is purported to be a flying saucer.
- 1561
Nuremberg Sightings
A broadsheet reports widespread sightings of a celestial phenomenon over Nuremberg.
World UFO Day Activities
Have a “Welcome to Earth” party
In case you needed a reason to throw a party, there’s plenty of opportunity here. Alien and UFO costumes are simple and funny, while the food ideas are endless. Alien cupcakes with green icing, red jello with rocket ships suspended in the middle or even prepackaged moonpies are all great ideas. For an older-earthlings party, try mixing vodka, blue curacao, grenadine, cranberry juice and sours for a Purple People Eater cocktail.
Do some investigative research
There are more than enough stories, legends and actual scientific findings on UFOs and space exploration to keep you busy for a day. Use the power of the internet to separate fact from fiction, and try coming up with your own theories on whether the truth really is out there. Finish the evening by gazing up at the stars before going to bed. You never know what you might see.
Have a UFO movie marathon
Depending how far you want to go back, try watching a few UFO films from different eras. The Flash Gordon-types of the 30s were genre-defining. The Martian marauders story typical of the 50s and 60s may be a bit campy for you, but you could have some friends over to watch them a la Mystery Science Theater 3000, and let the heckling begin. Or settle in for the visually stunning films of the last few decades - take your pick, sit back, and blast off.
Why We Love World UFO Day
It’s a chance celebrate the strange
No matter who you are, everyone is given a pass to think laterally, creatively, and perhaps even a bit unconventionally on July 2. World UFO Day encourages us all to challenge accepted knowledge, and for once, maybe it’s okay for our minds to be off in space.
It’s a testament to technology
What do smoke detectors, water filters, treadmills and memory foam all have in common? They were all born from ideas NASA has come up with during its space exploration research, and this innovation is only getting started. The more we research advanced, space-age technology, the more discoveries we’re making that impact our daily lives.
It’s given us some stellar movies
Awareness of UFOs has led to some of the box office’s greatest hits in the last few decades. As interest in space exploration and extraterrestrial life lifts off, we can expect Hollywood to keep up with the times. While UFO movies were once designated as strictly campy sci-fi, films like Alien, Arrival and Interstellar have sent their popularity through the stratosphere.
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