The National Space Centre is preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its flagship Star Wars event, with a weekend of immersive entertainment taking place on 4 and 5 July.
More than 100 costumed Star Wars characters are expected to appear each day, transforming the Leicester attraction into a galaxy far, far away for what has become one of the UK’s best-known fan events.
First launched in 2006 in partnership with the 501st UK Garrison, the event quickly established itself as a highlight of the Star Wars calendar. The inaugural weekend welcomed legendary actors Kenny Baker, Dave Prowse and Jeremy Bulloch, who portrayed R2-D2, Darth Vader and Boba Fett, attracting more than 3,000 visitors in a single day.
Over the past two decades, the event has continued to grow, bringing together costuming groups and fans from across the UK. Characters representing the entire Star Wars universe, including films, television series, books, comics and games, now gather annually at the National Space Centre.
This year’s special guests include actors Annabelle and Harrison Davis, both of whom have appeared in the Star Wars franchise, alongside acclaimed concept artist Jake Lunt Davies, whose designs include fan favourites such as BB-8, Porgs and B2EMO. Illustrator JAKe Detonator, known for How to Speak Wookiee, will also be attending.
Visitors will be able to enjoy an extensive programme of interactive experiences throughout the weekend, including droid driving, lightsaber training, electronic badge-making workshops and a Mandalorian-themed experience within the Tetrastar Spaceport.
Additional attractions include a droid hunt, a special exhibition celebrating the tenth anniversary of Rogue One costumes, opportunities to sit on Emperor Palpatine’s throne and Rebel NERF blaster challenges, alongside numerous character meet-and-greets.
Every event ticket includes a complimentary Annual Pass upgrade, allowing visitors to return to the National Space Centre throughout the year. While Annual Passes are not valid for entry during this special event weekend, visitors will benefit from reduced ticket prices over the summer holiday period following a temporary VAT reduction.
As a registered charity, the National Space Centre uses income from events to support its educational programmes, community outreach activities and the preservation of the UK’s national space collection, helping inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and explorers.
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