2026 McMenamins UFO Fest

Photo courtesy of McMenamins

McMenamins hosts its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 26th annual UFO Fest this May.

The festival is inspired by the 1950 UFO sighting on a farm outside McMinnville. The story goes that on the night of Thursday, May 11, 1950, Evelyn Trent went out to feed her animals and was surprised by a large, disc-shaped object hovering silently in the sky. She ran to the house to fetch her husband, Paul, yelling for him to grab the camera. The photographs taken by the Trents are still some of the most noteworthy images of a UFO.

Each year, believers, skeptics and every being in between are invited to come out and celebrate extraterrestrials at the annual McMenamins UFO Fest. 

Best of all, most of the activities during the festival are free to attend. Enjoy a parade, costume contests, live music, vendors, speakers and more. 

2026 McMenamins UFO Fest Free Events

The 2026 McMenamins UFO Fest is taking place Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, along with a special kickoff night on Thursday for early arrivers.

This festival has a bunch of free events held in and around McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. Most activities are open to all ages.

Here’s the event schedule:

Thursday, May 14

Pass Pickup and Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol in Mattie’s Room at Hotel Oregon. You can also pick up your festival pass. This event is free. 

Friday, May 15

105.9 “The Brew” Bacon & Beer Party

6-10 a.m.

Join Tanner, Laura, & Casey and 105.9 The Brew as they broadcast live with great prizes and even some surprises at the Hotel Oregon tent. This event is free to attend. 

Into the Parabnormal: Live podcast recording by Jeremy Scott

10-11:30 a.m.

Jeremy Scott interviews some of the featured speakers during a live podcast in the Paragon Room. This event is free to attend. 

The Landing Zone

12-10 p.m.

Enjoy food, beverages, UFO merchandise, live music and McMenamins Passport stamps. The Landing Party kicks off in the tent at 3 p.m. This event is free to attend.

What Is an Experiencer? Rethinking Contact in an Age of Anomaly

12 p.m.

In this talk, researcher and storyteller Kelly Chase reframes the UFO phenomenon through the lens of the experiencer at the McMinnville Community Center. Advance tickets are $30. 

Screening of Trent UFO Documentary

12 p.m.

Watch a documentary about a documented UFO sighting in McMinnville in 1950, which is the inspiration behind the annual UFO event. The screening is in Mattie’s Room and is free to attend. 

Street Fair

3-8 p.m.

McMinnville’s downtown streets close to vehicle traffic. Shop out-of-this-world vendors with plenty of fun merchandise. Take in the spectacular array of people and aliens wandering this pedestrian zone. The street fair is free to attend. 

Why Non-Human Intelligence Is a Reasonable Hypothesis: A Scientific Perspective

3 p.m.

Professor Matthew Szydagis reviews recordings of velocities, accelerations, energies and fields, while debunking claims from the super-skeptics that research into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena is not worth funding or pursuing. The event is held at the McMinnville Community Center. Tickets are $30 in advance.

Landing Party

3-10 p.m.

Join a glow-in-the-dark light party with live music, dancing and out-of-this-world fun at the Hotel Oregon tent. This event is free to attend. 

Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol

7-10 p.m.

Live music from spaced out rock band, Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol at Hotel Oregon. This event is free to attend. 

Saturday, May 16

Space Alien Fun Run

8:30 a.m.

Put on your costume and go for a morning run with your fellow alien enthusiasts. Registration starts at $30.

Akhenaten and the Ark of the Covenant: Unveiling the Extraterrestrial Connection

9:30 a.m.

As seen on History Channel’s Ancient Aliens, expert Jason Martell hosts an exploration of the enigmatic connections between Akhenaten, the revolutionary pharaoh of Egypt and the legendary Ark of the Covenant at the McMinnville Community Center. Tickets are $30 in advance. 

Street Fair

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

McMinnville’s downtown streets close to vehicle traffic. Shop out-of-this-world vendors with plenty of fun merchandise. Take in the spectacular array of people and aliens wandering this pedestrian zone. The street fair is free to attend. 

Kids Adventure Run 

10 a.m.

Kids will run through Joe Dancer Park completing outer space missions and receiving alien swag. This event is free.

The Landing Zone

10 a.m.-11 p.m.

This is where you’ll find food, beverages, a gift shop, passport stamps and live music. This event is free.

UFO Festival Parade

12 p.m.

Watch the wildly fun and colorful UFO Costume Parade as it careens and cartwheels through downtown McMinnville. This event is free.

Alien Costume Contest

2 p.m.

Show off your best galactic costume and join the contest. Sign up begins at the Hotel Oregon tent at 10 a.m. until full. It is free to participate.

Speaker Presentation

2 p.m.

Dr. Rebecca Charbonneau, author of “Mixed Signals: Alien Communication” discusses extraterrestrial intelligence during the Cold War. Tickets are $28.

Alien Pet Costume Contest

2:30 p.m.

A short walk from Hotel Oregon, the Granary District hosts a contest for dogs donning their extraterrestrial best. All other friendly pets are welcome, too. It is free to participate.

UFO Trivia

3-5 p.m.

Join with your group of any size or ages and win fun prizes. May the force be with you. Admission is $10.

SETI During the Cold War

3 p.m.

Rebecca Charbonneau explores the fascinating intersection of science, politics, and culture in the history of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence at McMinnville Community Center. Tickets are $30 in advance.

Alien Costume Ball

6:30-11 p.m.

Come in costume and show off your dance skills with live music from THIS the Funk Band and DTW at the Hotel Oregon tent. This event is free.

Ask the experts your burning UFO, paranormal and alien questions

7 p.m.

Ask the experts your burning UFO, paranormal and alien questions at McMinnville Community Center. Believers and skeptics are all welcome. Tickets are $30.

Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol

7 p.m.

Live music from spaced out rock band, Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol at Hotel Oregon. This event is free to attend.

The UFO fest is taking place at McMenamins Hotel Oregon, 310 NE Evans St. in McMinnville. For more information, visit the event website. 

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