About the Festival
Celebrating the 1974 UFO crash in Carbondale.
Local Mystery
The Carbondalien Festival is a quirky annual UFO-themed festival held in Carbondale, PA. It celebrates a famous local mystery from 1974, when residents reported that a glowing object crashed into the pond at Russell Park. The event resulted in overnight investigations and stories told over decades by residents of Carbondale that remember the phenomenon. Some people believed it was a UFO, while skeptics said it may have been a railroad lantern or another ordinary object. The mystery became part of local folklore and continues today with the annual event.
Carbondale's Largest Event
The festival started as a way to honor that story and has grown into a big community event with:
A kickoff glow parade in downtown Carbondale
A live reenactment of the alleged 1974 crash, as reported by several sources
UFO and paranormal speakers
A passport to the downtown businesses
Family-friendly entertainment
Costume contests and dressed character meet and greets
Live music and local art displays
Food vendors and supernatural vendor tents
Community partner tables with fun activities and information
Hot air balloon rides and themed activities
A train ride from Scranton to Carbondale
…And much more!
An Annual Gathering
It’s held every year on the first weekend in November in downtown Carbondale, PA. The event mixes small-town fun, sci-fi culture, paranormal curiosity, and local history. Admission is generally free, though some attractions require tickets.
Festival History
In 1974 a UFO reportedly fell from the sky in Carbondale, PA into the Silt Pond! While several explanations have been offered, the mystery of this sighting has become a key part of Carbondale’s Culture.
Press from the Fest
Carbondalien Festival – Be a Neighbor Podcast Episode 22
Picture This: 2025 Carbondalien Festival
