2025 McMenamins UFO Fest

Photo courtesy of McMenamins

McMenamins is hosting its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 25th 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. 

2025 McMenamins UFO Fest Free Events

The 2025 McMenamins UFO Fest is taking place Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, 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 15

Pass Pickup and Live Music

6-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Revelations and Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol in Mattie’s Room. You can also pick up your Interstellar Access Pass. This event is free. 

Friday, May 16

Into the Parabnormal with Jeremy Scott

10-11:30 a.m.

Jeremy Scott interviews some of the featured speakers at this year’s festival. This event is free. 

Speaker Presentation

12 p.m.

Brit Elders presents a UFO contact case of Swiss farmer Eduard “Billy” Meier, who claims extensive contact with beings from the star cluster Pleiades beginning in 1975. Tickets are $28. 

Screening of Trent UFO Documentary

12 p.m.

Learn about the UFO sighting that inspired this festival. This event is free. 

Vendor Fair

3-8 p.m.

Shop out-of-this-world vendors with plenty of fun merchandise and take in the spectacular array of people and aliens wandering the pedestrian zone.

Speaker Presentation

3 p.m.

Stanley Milford Jr., author of “The Paranormal Ranger: A Navajo Investigator’s Search for the Unexplained,” presents on UFO enigma and paranormal phenomena. Tickets are $28.

Landing Party

4-10 p.m.

Join a glow-in-the-dark party with live music, food and beverages and UFO merchandise for purchase and McMenamins Passport stamps in the tent. This event is free to attend. 

Speaker Presentation

6 p.m.

George Knapp and Jeremy Corbell present “Journey to the Edge of Disclosure?” Tickets are $28.

Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol perform a night of kickoff tunes in Mattie’s Room. This event is free.

Saturday, May 17

Alien Abduction 5K

8:30 a.m.

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

Speaker Presentation

9:30 a.m.

Luis Elizondo, who appeared on The Daily Show last fall, discusses his experiences with the Pentagon’s UFO investigation unit and dives into humanity’s greatest existential questions. Tickets are $43.

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.

Vendor Fair

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

McMinnville’s downtown streets close to vehicle traffic letting you shop the out-of-this-world vendors. 

UFO Festival Parade

12 p.m.

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

Alien Costume Contest

2 p.m.

Show off your best galactic costume and join the contest. Sign up is at the Hotel Oregon tent, from 10 .m. to 2 p.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 $5.

Speaker Panel and Q&A

7 p.m.

Ask the experts your burning UFO, paranormal and alien questions. Panelists include Brit Elders, George Knapp, Luis Elizondo, Dr. Rebecca Charbonneau, Stanley Milford Jr. and James Clarkson. Tickets are $28. 

Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol in Mattie’s Room. This event is free.

Alien Costume Ball

8:30-11 p.m.

Come in costume and show off your dance skills with live music from Jay Si Proof. This event is free.

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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