National Alien Abduction Day (March 20)

ByClare Brown Updated on

National Alien Abduction Day on March 20 is one of those holidays that makes you pause and say, “Wait… that’s a thing?

Part sci-fi fun and part cultural curiosity, the day taps into decades of fascination with UFO sightings, mysterious lights in the sky, and stories of people who swear they’ve encountered something not of this world. Some treat it as pure entertainment. Others genuinely enjoy exploring the unexplained.

Either way, it earns its place among the most unusual holidays in March. I wouldn’t call it serious, but it’s definitely one of the more conversation-starting dates on the calendar.

When is the Holiday?

It falls on March 20 each year. There’s no official ceremony or parade, just people who enjoy leaning into the weird side of space stories.

Who Invented It?

No one seems to know exactly who started it. Like a lot of internet-born holidays, it likely grew out of online UFO communities and sci-fi fans who thought the idea was fun.

Science fiction, conspiracy theories, and alleged abduction experiences have contributed to the day’s appeal.

Person being lifted into a UFO by a bright blue beam against a dark sky

The History of the Holiday

The modern idea of alien abduction didn’t really take hold until the mid-20th century. While ancient myths mention celestial beings, the specific narrative of being taken aboard a spacecraft became widely known after the 1961 case of Betty and Barney Hill.

The couple reported missing time during a road trip through New Hampshire and later described undergoing medical examinations aboard a craft.

Their story, amplified through books and television interviews, helped shape what many people now picture when they think of an “alien abduction.” Large eyes. Examination tables. Lost time.

By the 1980s and 1990s, alien encounter stories were common in pop culture, fueled by shows like The X-Files and films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

March 20, the spring equinox in many years, likely stuck because it already carries celestial symbolism. Longer days. Changing skies. A subtle cosmic feel.

Flying saucer hovering above a desert highway at sunset with a beam of light hitting the road

Top 5 Facts About the Holiday

The Hill case shaped the “modern alien” image. Descriptions from the 1961 report closely resemble the gray, large-eyed beings that became iconic in later decades.

“Missing time” shows up again and again. Many abduction stories include unexplained gaps in memory, something psychologists often connect to sleep paralysis or stress-related episodes.

Roswell still draws thousands every year. If you ever visit New Mexico, you’ll find museums, alien statues, and an annual UFO festival that leans fully into the mystery.

The U.S. government now publicly investigates unidentified aerial phenomena. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office studies reports of unexplained aerial sightings.

Alien stories reflect cultural anxieties. Researchers often note that reported alien encounters tend to mirror the fears of the era, Cold War tension, technological change, or space exploration milestones.

Three silhouetted figures standing beneath a massive UFO shining blue lights onto the ground

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Coloring Page

If you’re celebrating with kids (or just want something lighthearted), this free National Alien Abduction Day coloring page adds a fun, sci-fi twist to the day.

National Alien Abduction Day Coloring Page
Alien Coloring Sheet

Activities to Celebrate

If you want to lean into the fun side of the holiday, keep it playful:

  • A low-key movie night with Close Encounters of the Third Kind still holds up surprisingly well.
  • Let everyone invent their own “UFO sighting” and see how the stories evolve.
  • If the weather cooperates, step outside and talk about what astronomers actually classify as unidentified phenomena.

For older kids or teens, you could also explore how psychology explains abduction experiences, especially sleep paralysis, and compare scientific interpretations with popular narratives.

Shadowy figure lifting a person in a bright beam of light inside a dark kitchen

Related Recipes for the Holiday

  • Alien Cupcakes – Frost vanilla or chocolate cupcakes with bright green icing, then add candy eyes and a light sprinkle of edible glitter for an over-the-top “little green creature” look.
  • Martian Smoothie – Blend kiwi, green grapes, spinach, and a splash of apple juice for a naturally green drink that feels space-themed without relying on food coloring.
  • Galaxy Popcorn – Drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn and swirl in a few drops of food coloring before it sets for a simple “nebula” effect.
  • Alien Sugar Cookies – Use an alien-shaped cutter (or freehand a simple oval head with big eyes) and decorate with bold icing lines rather than intricate details so kids can help.

Links to Resources

Silhouette of a person floating upward in a glowing green beam of light in a forest at night

Related Holidays

  • Science Fiction Day (January 2) – A celebration of classic and modern sci-fi stories, often linked to Isaac Asimov’s birthday, and a great excuse to revisit favorite space-themed books and films.
  • World UFO Day (July 2) – A day dedicated to raising awareness about unidentified flying objects and encouraging skywatching events around the world.
  • Space Exploration Day (July 20) – Also known as Moon Day, this holiday marks the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and celebrates human achievements in space travel.
  • Pluto Demoted Day (August 24) – Recognizes the 2006 decision by the International Astronomical Union to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet, still controversial in many classrooms!

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UFO shining a red beam of light abducting a person with National Alien Abduction Day March 20 text overlay