Star Trek Celebrates 59 Years and Prepares for 60th Anniversary Extravaganza With Insane Lineup

Today marks 59 years since Star Trek first aired on NBC with the episode “The Man Trap,” taking viewers on a journey into a universe that has captured imaginations for decades.

Fans now celebrate Star Trek Day every September 8, and the franchise has already announced big plans for its 60th anniversary in 2026, including new shows, special events, and interactive experiences for fans both old and new, according to Paramount+.

The yearlong celebration will officially start on January 1 with the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Star Trek will have a float in one of the country’s most famous parades, highlighting the franchise’s history and its future.

Fans who prefer the seas to the streets will be able to join the Star Trek Cruise in 2026, which will feature William Shatner, Walter Koenig, and more than 20 other franchise stars.

For digital fans, Star Trek comics are coming to the Webtoon platform, and the franchise is also partnering with DoSomething for the “Boldly Go Green” initiative, encouraging environmental awareness among young people.

The next big live-action series, Starfleet Academy, is set to premiere on Paramount+ in 2026.

The show will explore the famous Starfleet school and star Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake, with Paul Giamatti appearing as the recurring villain Nus Braka. Meanwhile, Strange New Worlds, which is wrapping up its third season this week, is expected to return for a fourth season next year, leading to a shorter fifth season to conclude the prequel story.

Fans won’t have to wait for Paramount+ to enjoy new Star Trek content. Today sees the debut of Star Trek: Scouts, a preschool-focused animated series, with its first two episodes available on YouTube.

Alongside it, the scripted Star Trek: Khan podcast begins, diving into the secret history of the franchise’s most famous villain.

All 60th anniversary events will be coordinated on StarTrek60.com, which currently offers a 25% discount on merchandise from September 8–12 using the code STARTREKDAY25.

“Star Trek has always been about exploration, imagination, and connecting fans across generations,” a Paramount+ spokesperson said. “Our 60th anniversary will honor that legacy while giving fans new ways to experience the universe they love.”

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