By George Bate & Josh Bate
Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 is right around the corner, with the highly anticipated Star Wars event running from April 18-20, 2025. Ahead of the upcoming Star Wars Celebration, we’re taking a look back at some of the best moments in Star Wars Celebration history. Were you in attendance for any of these moments? What is your favorite Star Wars Celebration memory?
Here are our Top 10 Favorite Star Wars Celebration Moments of All Time (in chronological order)….
The Phantom Menace Love at Celebration I
The very first Star Wars Celebration was held from April 30-May 2, 1999 in Denver, Colorado, just weeks before the highly anticipated release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Billed as an event “for the events, by the fans,” Celebration I was the first Star Wars convention since 1987 and featured all sorts of fun events and activities, but the tie-ins to The Phantom Menace were the highlights. At the convention, fans were introduced to the full version of one of the greatest pieces of Star Wars music of all time with the world premiere of the ‘Duel of the Fates’ music video. Celebration I also featured various props from the official Lucasfilm archives, including a full-scale model of Anakin’s podracer from Episode I. Some of the best Star Wars Celebration moments have occurred in anticipation of the release of a big Star Wars project, and what was bigger than Episode I in 1999?
George Lucas’ Celebration debut at Celebration III in 2005
Star Wars Celebration III was held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis in April 2005, just weeks ahead of the highly anticipated release of Revenge of the Sith. At Celebration III, Lucas made his first ever appearance at a Star Wars Celebration and completely stole the show. A stark contrast to the more guarded approach of filmmakers, Lucas was delightfully open at Celebration III as he fielded questions from the audience and provided on-the-spot answers. It was during this impromptu Q&A that Lucas discussed the future of Star Wars post-Episode III and announced Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
“Chewie, we’re home” from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015
Flash back to Star Wars Celebration in 2015 and the state of Star Wars was markedly different to the landscape of projects today. It had been 10 years without a Star Wars movie to anticipate and fans were eager to hear about Lucasfilm’s development of the franchise under Disney ownership.
The main panel at Celebration in 2015 debuted the second trailer for The Force Awakens, which iconically concludes with Harrison Ford’s Han Solo proclaiming, “Chewie, we’re home” upon re-entering the Millennium Falcon.
This jaw-dropping Celebration moment was also accompanied with the epic first trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which revealed Darth Vader was heading back to the big screen.
Running of the Hoods
The ‘Running of the Hoods’ is a special event among fans that has occurred at Star Wars Celebration for years. Showing the franchise’s seemingly endless ability to generate fandom around even the smallest of characters and occurrences, the ‘Running of the Hoods’ is a tribute to Wilrow Hood from The Empire Strikes Back, the character who flees Cloud City holding an ice cream maker. Justin Yarborough on YouTube has a great series of videos showcasing just how amazing the ‘Running of the Hoods’ is. Check out the ‘Running of the Hoods’ at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 below.
Ben Mendelsohn as Director Krennic in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story from Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016
Ben Mendelsohn made an epic entrance to Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2016, dressed in his stunning Director Krennic costume and surrounded by imposing Death Troopers.
The Return of Grand Admiral Thrawn
Introduced in the iconic 1991 Legends novel Heir to the Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn remained in the hearts of Star Wars fans for many years after his debut in Timothy Zahn’s novel. But, at Star Wars Celebration 2016, fans were amazed when Thrawn’s introduction to canon was in the works. The trailer for Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels revealed that Thrawn would be the season’s big bad, and Timothy Zahn also announced that he was working on a new novel about the beloved Chiss villain. Since 2016, Thrawn’s role in canon has only grown in prominence, most recently culminating in his role as the main villain in the Ahsoka series on Disney+.
A Tribute to Carrie Fisher from Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017
Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 marked the first Celebration since the passing of the beloved Carrie Fisher. To honor the Princess Leia actress, her daughter Billie Lourd read a touching tribute that brought a tear to the eyes of many of the audience members. After Lourd’s tribute, the stage curtains opened up to reveal the one and only John Williams, who conducted his orchestra with a live performance of “Princess Leia’s Theme.” Fast forward to the one-hour mark of the below video to watch the tribute.
Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen and “Duel of the Fates” at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022
Ahead of the premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen made their way onto the Celebration Stage accompanied with a live choir rendition of “Duel of the Fates” at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022. When the music died down, McGregor welcomed the roaring Star Wars Celebration crowd with “Hello there!” The entire panel represents Star Wars Celebration at its greatest, with fans enthusiastically expressing their love for a galaxy far, far away in front of the creative minds behind the franchise. A live performance by John Williams and his orchestra was a particular highlight of this panel.
Daisy Ridley Returns to Star Wars!
The highlight of Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 and one of the highlights of any Star Wars Celebration came when Daisy Ridley arrived on stage in London to announce her return to a galaxy far, far away. The noise from the crowd was deafening as the New Jedi Order movie was announced and fans learned that we had not seen the last of Rey Skywalker.
“One Way Out!”
Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 also saw enthuasiastic fans gather to recreate the jaw-dropping “One Way Out!” sequence from the Disney+ series Andor.
