By Courtney Holden | May 3, 2026
Plus, five ways to celebrate Star Wars Day in Denver now.
In May 1999, anticipation for Star Wars: Episode I bordered on hysteria. After 16 years, the galaxy was expanding again, and the countdown to the long-awaited return of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords had begun. “It was probably the most important time in Star Wars history,” says Dan Madsen, founder of the official Star Wars Fan Club. “For one weekend, Denver was the center of the Star Wars universe.”
Thanks in large part to the Aurora native’s influence, the Mile High City hosted the first Star Wars Celebration at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum that month. A 100-year rainstorm turned the venue into a muddy proving ground, but more than 30,000 fans showed up anyway, sloshing between tents at what prequel co-producer Rick McCallum later dubbed “the Star Wars Woodstock.” George Lucas offered a welcome address (by video), C-3PO’s Anthony Daniels emceed in a protocol-droid-gold jacket, and a jabbering R2-D2 buzzed around for photo ops. An X-wing like the one Luke Skywalker piloted against the Death Star stood on display. Most tantalizing of all: Attendees were the first fans to get a glimpse of footage from The Phantom Menace.
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall
- When: May 22–24, 2026
Watch Luke Skywalker work through his newfound daddy issues on the big screen while the Colorado Symphony performs John Williams’ score for Return of the Jedi live. (Prefer Yoda schooling a young Skywalker?