Next Star Wars Celebration to be in 2019

Recently Star Wars Celebration announced that there will not be an event in 2018, but will return in 2019.

The official statement states:

While we might be in the thick of getting ready for Star Wars Celebration Orlando, it’s never too early to start thinking about when the next Celebration will be. 

Celebration is the official, definitive Star Wars event, with entertainment, interactive experiences and exclusives that can only be found at this Lucasfilm production. They are the ultimate community fan gathering as well, and friends will want to start planning to be together again to commemorate everyone’s favorite saga. The next official Celebration is slated for a location and date soon-to-be announced, in 2019.

Stay tuned to www.starwarscelebration.com for the latest news on Celebration Orlando programming, and for news on the next Celebration!

There is speculation that the reason that they are skipping 2018 is financial. With new Star Wars movies premiering every year, plus new seasons of Star Wars Rebels every fall, Celebration is getting bigger and better. “Bigger and better” generally indicates “more expensive.” It also means a need for more time and manpower to make the event a success. Because of the increased pace of movies and television shows being released, a year may no longer be long enough for Lucasfilm and ReedPOP – the company that plans and coordinates each Star Wars Celebration – to pull a convention together.

With no Celebration in 2018, it’s unknown where fans will get big Star Wars announcements like new movies and trailers. The D23 Expo doesn’t appear to be an option since following the Expo in July of 2017 the next D23 Expo won’t be until 2019. San Diego Comic Con may be the likely option.  Star Wars had a large presence there until Lucasfilm started relying more on Celebrations and D23 to break news. With neither Star Wars Celebration nor D23 happening in 2018, San Diego Comic Con may see a return of big Star Wars panels.

If this year’s Celebration follows the precedent, Lucasfilm will announce Celebration 2019’s location at the end of the event in April.

Author: Ray

I am a lifelong fan of everything Disney. My first trip to a a Disney park was to Disneyland as a child in 1970, but didn't make to Walt Disney World until I went with my wife and first child in 1990. A year doesn't go by with out at least one trip to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. My wife and I are Disney Vacation Club members and also Charter Members of D23. View all posts by Ray