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Extraterrestrial Culture Day

Explore the cosmos from the comfort of home this Extraterrestrial Culture Day; dive into sci-fi, stargaze, or even hunt for UFOs!

Tuesday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATESecond Tuesday in February

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYParanormal

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Blast off into a world of fascination and discovery on Extraterrestrial Culture Day this February 13! This fantastic day was officially recognized by the state of New Mexico in 2003 to celebrate and honor our cosmic neighbors, as well as the rich culture and history of our own planet's exploration of outer space. Whether you are a sci-fi fanatic, an astrophysicist, or just curious about the cosmos, Extraterrestrial Culture Day is a exciting chance to immerse ourselves in the mysteries of the universe from the comfort of Earth. So let’s rocket our curiosity skyward, and celebrate a day dedicated to imagining and exploring the wonders beyond our world!

TIMELINE

Extraterrestrial Culture Day Timeline

Heliocentrism Introduced

Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, marking a shift in our understanding of our place in the universe.

Roswell UFO Incident

A supposed UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico sparked significant public interest and controversy concerning extraterrestrial life.

SETI Established

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) was established to search for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth.

Possible Martian Life Evidence

NASA announced that a meteorite found in Antarctica might contain evidence of microscopic fossils from Mars, spurring discussions about extraterrestrial life.

Extraterrestrial Culture Day Established

The state of New Mexico officially recognized Extraterrestrial Culture Day, a day to celebrate and honor our cosmic neighbors.

Pentagon UFO Revelation

The Pentagon officially releases three short videos showing "unidentified aerial phenomena", exciting UFO enthusiasts and extraterrestrial culture.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Extraterrestrial Culture Day

Read science fiction

Dive into the world of extraterrestrial life through literature. Pick up a science fiction novel or short story that explores the concept of life on other planets, like Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey or Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles.

THROW

Throw a space themed party

Decorate your living room to look like a spaceship, serve alien-themed food and beverages, and watch alien movies or UFO documentaries. Ask your guests to dress up as their favorite extraterrestrial characters!

JOIN

Join an astronomy club

Celebrating Extraterrestrial Culture Day can be a collective effort! Join an astronomy club to learn more about the universe and our place in it, and use this day to share your knowledge with others.

VISIT

Visit a planetarium or observatory

Many cities have planetariums or observatories that offer shows or telescopic viewings. These can be a fun and educational way to celebrate the day.

BUILD

Build your own alien

Unleash your creativity and design your own alien species. Consider what type of environment they would need to survive, what they might eat, how they communicate, and what they look like. This is a great activity for kids and it’s a fun way to learn about different biological needs and functions!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Extraterrestrial Culture Day

It can be a fun and engaging learning experience

Extraterrestrial Culture Day affords many learning opportunities, from reading science fiction literature, joining an astronomy club, visiting a planetarium, to designing your own alien species. This type of experiential learning can be particularly engaging for kids, inspiring an early interest in space, biology, and cultures in a fun and creative way.

It allows us to join together in curiosity and imagination

Extraterrestrial Culture Day provides an exciting opportunity for all of us, regardless of age or background, to collectively engage our imaginations and indulge our curiosity. The possibility of life existing beyond Earth is speculative, and this day is a tribute to the human spirit of exploration and wonder.

It celebrates the impact of science fiction on culture

From literature to films, science fiction has played a significant role in shaping our perspectives about space and extraterrestrial life. On this day, we recognize the genre's cultural significance and its capacity to broaden our thoughts about what lies beyond our planet.

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