It’s no secret Star Wars has one of the biggest fanbases in the world, with its iconic lines, bizarre creatures, perilous planets and epic love stories transporting viewers into its intergalactic universe. Whether it’s the much-loved baby Grogu that led to you binge-watching the entire franchise in a day, or you’ve been a stalwart fan since the first time that yellow text scrolled through a starry night sky to the sound of John Williams’ trumpeting war drums; you’ll no doubt feel the force pulling you to London when you hear about these Star Wars-related events and experiences.
1. Discover Star Wars treasures at Disney100: The Exhibition
Space princesses, curious fluffy creatures, raspy-voiced villains – with these magical characters it’s no wonder Star Wars joined the Disney family. Now, you can feast your eyes on some brilliant props, works of art and costumes from the beloved space opera at Disney100: The Exhibition. Fans will be in their element as they admire Luke’s iconic lightsaber and soak up every battle-earned smudge and intricate detail of BB8. The wondrous exhibition is located at London ExCel, and it’s not just Star Wars memorabilia you can find behind their doors – there are over 250 rare artefacts from MARVEL, Pixar and, of course, Disney classics like Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Mickey Mouse himself.
2. Meet all your favourite Star Wars characters at Madame Tussauds
If uncanny models of beloved characters are what you’re after, Madame Tussauds can deliver. The waxwork connoisseurs have carved out an entire section for Star Wars fans to live out their intergalactic daydreams in, collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney to ensure it’s as authentic as possible. You can explore the misty swamps of Dagobah, square up to the cloaked figure of Darth Vader, practise your best Stormtrooper stalk in the Imperial battle station and even get behind the controls of the Millenium Falcon alongside Chewbacca himself.
3. Relive a scene from Rogue One in the Canary Wharf underground station
If you really want to follow in the footsteps of Star Wars heroes and villains then you could always make a stop at Canary Wharf underground station. Where, with its futuristic look – think brutalist architecture, shiny chrome features, strips of bright white lights and geometric shapes – it was an ideal setting to bring a scene from Rogue One to life. Specifically, a chase scene in a secret Empire facility where Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor and K-2S0 ran from stormtroopers. The sleek, clinical vibe of the modern station, paired with the dim lighting thanks to its underground location, was the perfect base for the cold, villainous Empire.
4. Watch the action unfold on the big screen at The Embassy Gardens
Clamber in a classic car and watch Star Wars: A New Hope like never before on Saturday, May 11. The otherworldly technology of a galaxy, far, far away and the sleek, vintage style of the past will collide with luxurious results at The Embassy Gardens Drive-In Cinema this summer. The film will be part of a line-up of back-to-back blockbusters that you are invited to enjoy from the comfort of a classic or supercar rental. For one night only, you can stuff your face with popcorn and watch all of that magical Star Wars action play out whilst being, quite literally, under the stars.
5. Join the dark side at The Cocktail Club in Clapham
All this intergalactic adventuring can be thirsty work so we don’t blame you if you fancy toasting to Star Wars with a cocktail or two. Luckily, you can do this at the film-themed Cocktail Club in Clapham, where there’s a dedicated section for laserbrains and nerfherders alike to sip otherworldly concoctions. Decked out with lemon-yellow neon writing welcoming you to the Dark Side (fun fact: yellow is a rare lightsaber colour that we first see on the big screen when it is wielded by Rey in ‘The Rise of Skywalker‘, the colour is thought to reflect a change in identity), hexagonal grey panelling and cantina-style booths you can pretend you’re joining Han Solo for a drink after a successful smuggling mission.
6. Explore the wonders of the night sky at the Royal Observatory
Part of the magic of Star Wars is the otherworldly adventures that unfold in the fascinating, mysterious and often beautiful, realm of space. Science fiction has the power to transport viewers into galaxies far, far away with mesmerising visuals and compelling characters, and, as one of the most iconic film franchises ever, Star Wars is a testament to that. If watching the films makes you want to explore the solar system then what better place to gaze up at the stars than the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park? There are daily live planetarium shows where you can join an astronomer to admire ‘The Sky Tonight‘ and learn all about the astronomical sights – including meteor showers and glittering constellations.
7. Stock up on galactic goods at Forbidden Planet
One place that should be at the top of any merch-loving fan’s list is Forbidden Planet. Brimming with toys, collectables, posters and comics it is the biggest science-fiction, fantasy and cult entertainment retailer in the world. You can easily while away the hours perusing the shelves of its branch in central London, flicking through graphic novels, stocking up on Lego Star Wars and maybe even picking up a galactic storybook so you can pass on your passion for the films to your young padawan.