Celebrate Carbondale’s most mysterious local legend at the Carbondalien Festival! This annual UFO-themed event brings live music, unique vendors, alien-inspired art, paranormal presentations, and family activities to Downtown Carbondale and Russell Park.
Come for the day or make it a weekend with Friday kickoff festivities, a downtown hotel stay, and a steam train excursion from Scranton.
The festival celebrates a local mystery dating to 1974, when witnesses reported a glowing object falling into a pond at Russell Park. Possible explanations have ranged from a UFO to a railroad lantern, but the incident remains part of Carbondale’s story.
Today, that history inspires a celebration for curious visitors, science-fiction fans, and families alike.
Free Admission
Admission to the Carbondalien Festival is free for everyone! Please note that select experiences—such as the Russell Park Experience, Alien Hot Air Balloon Rides, and the Extraterrestrial Express Train Excursion—require separate tickets.
The 2026 festival takes place on Saturday, November 7, from 11 AM–5 PM, with kickoff festivities on Friday, November 6.
Friday Kickoff Festivities
November 6 | 5 PM to 9 PM
• 5 PM – Sculpture Unveiling at the Carbondale Public Library • 6:30 PM – Carbondalien Cosmic Light Parade on Main Street • 7:30 PM – Neon Nebula Glow Party at Gravity Hall at Hotel Anthracite. Admission is $5, or free for guests in costume.
Saturday Festival Events & Activities
November 7 | 11 AM to 5 PM
The Landing Pad Vendor Marketplace
11 AM–5 PM | Downtown Carbondale
The Landing Pad Marketplace in downtown Carbondale is the vibrant center of the annual UFO Festival! Browse an expanded marketplace featuring more than 60 vendors, with alien-inspired art, food, live entertainment, and activities throughout the outdoor square.
Stop at Festival Headquarters for event information, exclusive 2026 merchandise, and a festival passport. Visit participating businesses to collect stamps and receive a trading card featuring the Zooks, this year’s alien design.
Keep your camera ready for appearances by Garrison Carida, part of the 501st Legion’s Star Wars costuming community.
Russell Park Experience
11 AM–5 PM | Russell Park
Step into Carbondale’s famous 1974 UFO mystery at the site where it happened! Presented in partnership with the Lackawanna Historical Society, this immersive theatrical experience casts you as a member of the press investigating the reported crash. The 2026 experience features new stories and memorable characters.
Guided Tours: Tickets required; limited day-of availability at the HQ tent.
Outdoor Museum: Explore a free, 1970s-themed display.
Transportation: Free shuttles connect downtown Carbondale and Russell Park.
Recommended Ages: Best suited for ages 10 and older.
Accessibility: The experience takes place on grassy, uneven terrain and is not wheelchair accessible. Festival shuttles are also not wheelchair accessible.
Experience a close encounter in the sky with a tethered ride in the Alien Hot Air Balloon at Russell Park! Soar above the UFO crash site, Silt Pond, and scenic park grounds for an unforgettable view from an otherworldly perspective. Don’t miss this unique photo opportunity and festival highlight!
First-come, first-served basis at the site.
Tickets on sale at the park through the vendor
Ages: All children must be accompanied by an adult.
WEATHER PERMITTING
Supernatural Speaker Series
11 AM–5 PM | Hotel Anthracite
Enjoy the free Supernatural Speaker Series during the Carbondalien Festival! This event features an out-of-this-world lineup of talks and presentations from leading experts on UFOs, Bigfoot, the paranormal, and UAP culture. Whether you’re a believer or just curious, this series promises fascinating insights into the unexplained.
11:00 AM | Ryan Goeckner & Chris Daley | Preparing for First Contact: The Human Side of Alien Encounters
12:15 PM | Joseph Biscotto | The Modern UFO Coverup: How Social Media became the new Battlefield for Disclosure
1:30 PM | Dr. Jim Segala | The Medical Effects of Human Contact of UAPs: Clinical Data and Ongoing Global Research and analysis of protocols from CE5 events
3:00 PM | Jim Krug | Aliens on Mars
4:00 PM | Eric Mintel | NEPA Paranormal Connections
More Festival Activities
Explore more activities around town:
• Orbit Village: 11 AM–5 PM | Family activities at Anthracite Center • Garrison Carida Photo Ops: 11 AM–5 PM | Festival Grounds • Alien Mini Golf: 11 AM–5 PM | Carbondale Public Library • Alien Open Swim: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Carbondale YMCA • Silent Disco: Noon–3 PM | Hotel Anthracite • GLORP! Alien Art Show: 11 AM–5 PM | Festival Grounds • Live Mural Painting: 11 AM–3 PM | Artists Zach Yahn and Eric Bussart • “The Day Carbondale Stood Still” Documentary: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM | City Hall Council Chambers • Close Encounters: The Story Sessions: 12:45–4 PM | City Hall Council Chambers • Live Music: 11 AM–5 PM | Festival Grounds
Make your Carbodalien Festival weekend even more unforgettable with a stay at Hotel Anthracite, located in the heart of Downtown Carbondale – just steps from the festivities. This modern boutique hotel blends contemporary comfort with the city's rich coal heritage, offering spacious rooms, upscale amenities, and an on-site restaurant and bar perfect for unwinding after a day of alien encounters.
Whether you're here for the live music, the stellar vendors, or the UFO lore, Hotel Anthracite puts you right at the center of the cosmic action.
Carbondale, also known as The Pioneer City, is nestled in the upper reaches of the Lackawanna Valley. It's a small town with lived-in charm, featuring historic red brick architecture, such as the City Hall with its classic clock tower, as well as intimate cafes and diners, and seasonal parades and street fairs.
Carbondale was a hot spot for the railroad and coal industries around the turn of the century, and has settled into its new personality after the boom years. A charming destination for county locals and those across state lines, it is only 15 miles from Scranton and an easy day-trip from Allentown and New York City.
