Ancient mysteries, forgotten history, lost treasures, and unexplained aerial phenomena will soon take center stage in the red rock country of Southern Utah. The inaugural Mysterious X Conference is heading to Kanab from September 24 through September 27, 2026. Billed not merely as an event to attend but as an immersive experience to step inside, this four-day gathering combines live stage presentations, expert panel discussions, and film screenings with exclusive after-dark expeditions to real sites of local legend.
The conference is anchored at the Historic RedStone Theater in downtown Kanab, a region long steeped in stories of lost Aztec gold, mysterious petroglyphs, and mass UFO sightings. Host and founder Dan Dillman, researcher and author of Montezuma II Decoded, will guide attendees through the weekend’s events. He will also deliver a presentation on global civilizations, linking the ancient lands of Aztlan and Atlantis.
Joining Dillman is Scott Wolter, forensic geologist and star of the History Channel television series America Unearthed. Wolter will present two sessions focusing on the Hooked X symbol and the cryptic codes of the Knights Templar, exploring hidden evidence of pre-Columbian exploration across the American continent. Bertram Tsavadawa, a Hopi educator and messenger, will bring generations of ancestral knowledge to the stage. His presentation, focusing on Hopi cosmology, prophecy, and petroglyphs, will offer a rare look at the deep symbolism carved into the regional rock art. Rounding out the headlining presenters is Terry Carter, a veteran treasure hunter with four decades of fieldwork, who will share hard-won lessons and untold stories from his time on the trail.
These headliners join a full roster of investigators, filmmakers, and researchers. Among those scheduled to appear are Josh and Ron Feldman of Blind Frog Ranch, UFO filmmaker Ron James, MUFON Utah director Dustin Eskelsen, Space Wolf Research investigator Ryan Burns, Ghost Hunters investigator Daryl Marston, author Janet Wolter, and cryptozoology researcher Robert Kryder.
What sets this event apart from a typical conference is its extensive schedule of immersive after-hours activities. The opening festivities on Thursday evening begin at the Once Upon a Time Museum with an intimate mixer, dinner, and a live paranormal investigation led by Dillman and Marston. On Friday and Saturday nights, the action shifts to Rising Moon Ranch for catered dinners under the dark desert skies, followed by guided CE-5 contact protocols designed to initiate sky watching and communication.
Sunday brings the weekend to a close with an ambitious outdoor expedition to Three Lakes Canyon. There, attendees can participate in a ground-penetrating radar search at Dillman Cave, watch a submersible drone probe a skull cave pond for lost Aztec artifacts, and join a fire-circle storytelling session. On-site overnight glamping is also available for those who wish to sleep under the stars.
In addition to the outdoor expeditions, attendees can participate in the Friday Disclosure Panel and Saturday’s All-Star Roundtable on Montezuma’s Treasure. The weekend will also feature a special screening of the documentary Accidental Truth Next: Beyond UFO Disclosure, with filmmaker Ron James participating in a live discussion.
A variety of ticket options are available, ranging from single-day passes to the Ultimate Weekend and Founders Circle packages, which include access to the Three Lakes Canyon expeditions and glamping. The Fairfield Inn and Suites Kanab is serving as the official lodging partner. Tickets and schedule details are available online at dandillman.com/mysterious-x.
