Star Wars Celebration is the premier fan event for lovers of the Star Wars universe, bringing together fans, creators, celebrities, and industry insiders for a multi-day extravaganza of panels, exclusive reveals, cosplay, merchandise, and more. The event celebrates every facet of Star Wars — from the original trilogy to the latest films, animated series, video games, and beyond and is the topic of one of our Star Wars questions series where we answer What is Star Wars Celebration?
The roots of Star Wars Celebration go back to 1999, when Lucasfilm and the Official Star Wars Fan Club organized the first event in Denver, Colorado. The inaugural celebration was timed to build excitement for the release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Despite challenging weather conditions and being held in airplane hangars, the event was a success, drawing thousands of fans and proving that the Force was strong with the fandom.
Following the positive reception, Star Wars Celebration became a recurring event, with subsequent editions tied to the releases of new films in the prequel trilogy. As the saga expanded, so did the scope and scale of Celebration. The event has been hosted in various cities across the United States and internationally, including London, Tokyo, Essen, and Anaheim. Each edition is packed with highly anticipated announcements, first-look trailers, exclusive merchandise, and opportunities to meet the stars and creators of the galaxy far, far away.
Over time, Celebration has evolved into more than just a promotional tool — it’s a vibrant cultural phenomenon. It has helped foster a strong sense of community among Star Wars fans, many of whom travel from all over the world to attend. Iconic moments, such as the reveal of The Force Awakens trailer in 2015 or the 40th anniversary tribute in 2017, have cemented Celebration as a key touchpoint in the ongoing legacy of the franchise.
Today, Star Wars Celebration remains the ultimate destination for fans to gather, geek out, and celebrate the enduring impact of one of the most beloved sagas in cinematic history. Whether you’re a Jedi, Sith, bounty hunter, or droid, there’s something for everyone in this epic gathering of the Star Wars galaxy.
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