Mothman Festival (WV)

The Mothman Festival will be held in Point Pleasant, West Virginia on September 19, 2026. This festival is an annual event held every third weekend in September and commemorates the 1966 Point Pleasant, West Virginia Mothman sighting, which gave birth to the infamous red-eyed winged legend. People from all over the world gather around Main Street dressed in all kinds of cryptid costumes from red-eyed Mothman outfits to Men in Black suits to celebrate their favorite cryptid during this one-of-a-kind event.

The festival commemorates the mysterious visit of the “Mothman” in the 1960s and is a great event for all ages. It’s held annually in downtown Point Pleasant and features live music, merchandise from various vendors, food trucks, cosplay, speakers.

The 501st Legion shows up with Star Wars characters, and even the Ghostbusters make an appearance posing for photos. Live music plays both days at Riverfront Park right along the Ohio River. The festival opens with a 7 a.m. Mothman 5K run then all the festivities begin. Spend time checking out vendor booths, face painting, and games for kids. Food trucks serve everything from BBQ and tacos to “moth floss,” sweets, and fun drinks. You can also visit the Mothman Museum, take a guided TNT bus tour or grab a photo at the famous Mothman Statue during this one-of-a-kind West Virginia event.

An early version of the Mothman Festival started in 2002 as a one-day event and now draws 20,000 visitors to a town with fewer than 5,000 residents.

Just don’t bring a box of mothballs. That would be cruel.