The force is strong in the UK, where to meet Star Wars actors.
As the dust settles from the epic Star Wars Celebration Japan, the post Celebration blues continues to set in. It’s tough to take, but don't worry, there are plenty of upcoming events in the UK to turn our focus towards, where we can mix with other fans and meet actors from the galaxy far, far away. All corners and eras of Star Wars media are represented, so here’s a selection of some great upcoming UK events, all featuring Star Wars guests.
Festival of the Force - York, Sunday 25th May
Taking place in the historic city of York, Festival of the Force is a celebration of all things Star Wars. This family-friendly event will offer fans the chance to meet stars from the saga, and enjoy various activities such as panels, merchandise shopping, cosplay and photos with set-pieces. The guest line up for this May includes:
Alistair Petrie – General Draven in Rogue One and Andor
Paul Blake – Greedo in A New Hope
Lynn Robertson Bruce – D-0 puppeteer in Rise of Skywalker
Brian Herring – Puppeteer for BB-8
Jay Manchand – Licensed Star Wars artist
Hugh Spight – Gamorean Guard in Return of the Jedi
Guy Henry – Grand Moff Tarkin in Rogue One
Simon Williamson - Max Reebo in Return of the Jedi
Get Tickets for Festival of the Force York
London Film and Comic Con – 5th–6th July 2025
This major convention at the Olympia London will feature a great range of Star Wars guests, alongside a raft of other guests from various fandoms, TV shows, Films and Comics:
Brendan Wayne – Stunt performer for the Mandalorian in The Mandalorian
Ravi Cabot-Conyers – Wim in Skeleton Crew
Jeryl Prescott - Aktropaw (Great Mother) in Ahsoka
Faye Marsay - Vel Sartha in Andor
Alex Ferns - Sergeant Linus Mosk in Andor
April V Woods - Young Kleya in Andor
Gabby Wong - Gold Nine in Rogue One
Lu Jungchang - Stunt performer for The Stranger in The Acolyte
Ming Qiu - Stunt performer for Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett and Minas Velti in Kenobi
Julian Glover - General Veers in The Empire Strikes Back
Anna Brewster - Bazine Netal in The Force Awakens
Garrick Hagon - Biggs Darklighter in A New Hope
Stephen Bayley - Stormtrooper TK421 in A New Hope
Larry Estrin - Stormtrooper in Return of the Jedi
Brian Blessed - Boss Nass in The Phantom Menace
Get Tickets for London Film and Comic Con
Comic Con Manchester – 26th–27th July
Organized by Monopoly Events, this convention is not just a Star Wars event, but covers a range of fandoms. Hot off the heels of Monopoly’s Liverpool convention in May, which saw an unbelievable lineup for Star Wars fans including Rosario Dawson and Hayden Christensen, Manchester already has two brilliant Star Wars guests accounced. Confirmed so far:
Hayden Christensen – Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Kenobi and Ahsoka
Manny Jacinto - Qimir/The Stranger in the Acolyte
Get Tickets for Comic Con Manchester
Comic Con Scotland – 1st–2nd March 2025
Also organized by Monopoly Events, this event in Edinburgh is turning into a stellar Star Wars line up and is probably still due some announcements:
Hayden Christensen – Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Kenobi and Ahsoka
Emily Swallow – The Armorer in The Mandalorian
Rosario Dawson - Ahsoka in Ahsoka, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett
Get Tickets for Comic Con Scotland
Starfury: Invasion – 19th–21st September 2025
Held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham, and emerging as a stand out event in the Star Wars calendar, this event includes a three day schedule featuring an evening meet and greet, panels, parties and more. It is an event which feels more focused on the guests and access, than merchandise and stands with no show floor, but fans of recent series and media will be thankful for this. The guest lineup so far includes:
Katy O’Brian – Elia Kane in The Mandalorian
Elizabeth Grullon – Trilla Suduri in Jedi: Fallen Order
Tina Ivlev – Nightsister Merrin in Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor
Ivanna Sakhno - Shin Hati in Ahsoka
Wes Chatham - Captain Enoch in Ahsoka
Denise Gough - Dedra Miro in Andor
Paul Darnell - Marrok in Ahsoka
Elizabeth Dulau - Kleya in Andor
Jacob James Beswick - Heert in Andor
Get Tickets for Starfury: Invasion
Final Thoughts
While Star Wars Celebration is an event like no other, its brilliant to see the UK is stepping up with some fantastic conventions and some fantastic Star Wars guests to boot. Whether you're looking to meet the actors behind classic characters, or those from the newer additions, these events offer something for every fan. There’s almost too much to choose from, and like me if you can’t possibly go to everything, time to get planning!
MTFBWY
