Star Wars Celebration canceled due to coronavirus outbreak
The three-day event is known for its lively cosplay, and for revealing juicy news about the Star Wars universe.
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Star Wars Celebration has been canceled for 2020.
Star Wars Celebration has joined the lengthy list of major 2020 events canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Monday. The event had been scheduled for Aug. 27 through Aug. 30 in Anaheim, California, and is now planned for that city in 2022.
"At Star Wars Celebration, the health and safety of our fans, attendees, exhibitors, guests and staff is always our No. 1 priority," the group said in a statement posted on its website and to social media. "Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 virus and in speaking with local and state authorities on the latest public health guidelines related to indoor conventions, we have made the decision to cancel Star Wars Celebration for 2020."
Due to the impact of COVID-19, we’ve made the decision to cancel Star Wars Celebration 2020. While this news is disappointing, we’re happy to announce #StarWarsCelebration will return to Anaheim in 2022. Full statement with ticket transfers/refunds info at https://t.co/o2ObVULVVF pic.twitter.com/CnRWHZhuDq
— StarWars Celebration (@SW_Celebration) June 15, 2020
Ticket holders will receive a refund or merchandise credit, or can transfer their tickets to the 2022 event, which is scheduled for Aug. 18-21, 2022. Hotel reservations booked via the event's portal will be automatically canceled.
Star Wars Celebration began in 1999 with a gathering in Denver to mark the release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. The event has been held in Germany, England, Japan and various US cities. Past gatherings have featured fans dressed in cosplay, panels with cast and crew members, and newsy reveals of film teasers, toys and theme park news. The title and trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker were both revealed at the 2019 event.
Star Wars Celebration joins a lengthy list of other major entertainment events that have been canceled due to the virus outbreak, including San Diego Comic Con, which is planning a digital event for July.
