When is Star Trek Day?
Star Trek Day 2027 is on Wednesday
Wednesday, September 8, 2027
September 8 every year. That's in 326 days.
until Star Trek Day begins, in your time zone
Star Trek Day marks the anniversary of the original Star Trek's US television premiere on September 8, 1966. Fans use it to celebrate Gene Roddenberry's hopeful vision of the future and the long-running franchise it launched.
About Star Trek Day
On September 8, 1966, NBC aired the first episode of Star Trek, a science-fiction series created by writer and producer Gene Roddenberry. It followed Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, and the crew of the starship Enterprise on a five-year mission to explore space. The first episode broadcast was "The Man Trap," which had not been the first one filmed; NBC had passed on an earlier pilot, "The Cage."
The original show was not a hit. Britannica notes that NBC canceled it after three seasons, in 1969, because of low ratings. Its core of devoted fans, known as Trekkies, kept growing after the cancellation, and the property grew into one of the biggest franchises in American entertainment, with feature films and many later series, from The Next Generation to Strange New Worlds.
The studio turned the premiere anniversary into a formal event in 2020: for the 54th anniversary, CBS All Access, now Paramount+, staged an all-day online celebration with an episode marathon and cast panels, as Variety reported. Each September since then, the studio has held a Star Trek Day with panels, announcements and free episodes, such as a 2024 YouTube playlist of first episodes. The day is a fan and studio celebration, not an official holiday. Separately, Trekkies also mark April 5 as First Contact Day, a date from the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact.
Sources: Variety: 'Star Trek' Day to Reunite Past 'Trek' Casts, Celebrate Franchise's Future (2020), Britannica: Star Trek (American television series, 1966-69), Fox News: On this day in history, September 8, 1966, Star Trek premieres. How we check dates.
How to mark Star Trek Day
- Watch "The Man Trap" or another episode of the original 1966 series and compare it with a recent Star Trek show.
- Host a viewing party where everyone picks a favorite episode from a different Star Trek series.
- Introduce a friend or young relative to the franchise with a single standalone episode.
- Read about the real science that Star Trek inspired, from handheld communicators to talk of warp drives.
- Wear a uniform shirt in your favorite division color, gold, blue or red, for the day.
Star Trek Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday, September 8, 2025 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, September 8, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, September 8, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, September 8, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, September 8, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, September 8, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Star Trek Day 2027?
Star Trek Day 2027 is on Wednesday, September 8, 2027. It falls on September 8 every year. In 2028, it is on Friday, September 8, 2028.
Why is Star Trek Day on September 8?
The original Star Trek series premiered on NBC in the United States on September 8, 1966, so fans mark the anniversary on that date.
What was the first Star Trek episode to air?
"The Man Trap" was the first episode broadcast in 1966. NBC had earlier rejected the first pilot, "The Cage," which was not widely released until the 1980s.
What is the difference between Star Trek Day and First Contact Day?
Star Trek Day, September 8, marks the real-world 1966 premiere. First Contact Day, April 5, celebrates a fictional future date from the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact.
Is Star Trek Day a public holiday?
No. Star Trek Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.