Top 5 “Can’t Miss” Events At Star Wars Celebration Anaheim

We are less than 48 hours away from the kick start of what promises to be the biggest Star Wars Celebration ever. As the clock ticks away, we thought it would be fun to present what we believe to be the top 5 “can’t miss” events at SWCA. Our choices are based on prior Celebration and Star Wars Weekends experience with audience engagement and fun factor being the key decision drivers.

5. Star Wars Rebels Red Carpet & Season Two Global Premier Screening

Don’t miss your favorite stars on the carpet from and witness the global premiere of Star Wars Rebels season two, which launches a whole new set of adventures for the Ghost crew and hints at the challenges to come under the shadow of their new adversary, Darth Vader. Attendees will be the first to see the two-part second season premiere following an encore screening of the thrilling season one finale.

 – Cheap Seats Note: The red carpet events at past Celebrations have been a spectacle to be seen with loads of Star Wars celebrities arriving in grand style to the premier. Lots of fun and photo opportunities. However, this event takes place at the same time as Mark Hamill’s panel, which presents a difficult choice for Celebration attendees. 

4. Star Wars Celebration Closing Ceremony

Come together at the Closing Ceremony at Celebration to relive some of your favorite moments of the weekend, and to see some of the highlights you might have missed. Nostalgic and fun, plus there might be a forward-looking surprise in the mix!

 – Cheap Seats Note: The closing events always tip the hat by key Lucasfilm personalities with a few spoilers on what is to come and information is usually shared on plans for the next Celebration(s). 

3. William Shakespeare’s Star Wars On Stage!

Actors Marc Thompson, January LaVoy (Publishers Weekly’s 2013 Narrator of the Year) and Jonathan Davis voiced the William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series on audio in glorious iambic pentameter, including William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back, andWilliam Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Exclusively for Star Wars Celebration, they will perform select scenes from the audiobook live on stage—joined by author Ian Doescher. The performance will feature costumes, props, music and sound effects.

 – Cheap Seats Note: During SWCVII in Orlando, one of the stand out panels/shows was Star Wars in 60 Minutes. William Shakespeare’s Star Wars On Stage looks to be as engaging and fun as the prior SW in 60 minutes show. 

2. Smuggler’s Bounty – Original Star Wars Audio Drama by Kyle Newman

Smuggler’s Bounty re-teams the creatives behind the Celebration VI hit Star Wars: Smuggler’s Gambit. Directed by Kyle Newman and co-written by Newman and F.J. DeSanto, Smuggler’s Bounty stars Han Solo and is set during the events of the original trilogy. This one-time-only live performance will be presented with music and live sound effects. Smuggler’s Bounty will feature hosts from all three Celebration stages, as well as a star-studded crew of performers to bring this great Celebration exclusive to life!

 – Cheap Seats Note: This was one of the biggest standout shows from Celebration VI and the sequel promises to be even bigger and better. Expect Kyle Newman to knock this out of the park. 

1. JJ Abrams & Kathleen Kennedy SWCA Kick-Off

Don’t miss the big kickoff for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. Star Wars: The Force Awakens Writer/Director/Producer J.J. Abrams and Producer Kathleen Kennedy will be on the Celebration Stage, joined by special guests. This panel is scheduled to be simulcast to the Digital Stage from the Celebration Stage.

 – Cheap Seats Note: This is going to be the panel to end all panels at SWCA and as a result, the crowds and lines are sure to be at max frustration level. Rest assured that all of the content from this event will be on YouTube within moments of it taking place, should you not be able to see it in person. 

Honorable Mentions:

1. Star Wars Collectibles Update With Lucasfilm’s Anita Castellar

Join eFX, Gentle Giant Studios, Kotobukiya, and Sideshow Collectibles for product development insights and exclusive previews of the latest in Star Wars collectibles. Joining will be Anita Castellar, a self-professed Star Wars fangirl who manages licensing for hardlines categories at Lucasfilm, such as toys, collectibles, consumer electronics, automotive and more.

 – Cheap Seats Note: For Star Wars collectors, there is no bigger panel to attend. This major collectible update panel always includes important information on upcoming releases as well as some nifty giveaway items. 

2. Star Wars Celebration Fan Mixer – Presented by SMS Audio

This is the must attend party for all SWCA attendees on Saturday night!

Whatever your schedule looks like for SWCA, be sure to leave plenty of time to get from panel to panel and to allow for lines to get into the shows/panels you want to see. We highly suggest coming up with your own top 5 events to attend so that you can ensure to hit the shows that are most critical to you having the best time possible.