With Star Wars Day upon us, mania over the Star Wars franchise is taking hold again. Multi-decade devotees and Padawans just learning the ways of the Force can show their fandom by in many ways, around the world.
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Disney's Hollywood Studios always has Star Wars events and attractions. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 with an interactive "Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run" ride and a high-tech "Rise of the Resistance" show.
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This boutique hotel in Brighton, a seaside resort town, features themed guest rooms. One of the most popular is Lord Vader's Quarters, starting just over $100 a night (with free breakfast if you book directly through the website). Star Wars memorabilia adorns the walls, and a bunk bed makes it a fun option for a parent-child trip.
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In the Presidio, near the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge, look for the Yoda fountain at the Letterman Digital Arts Center, home of Lucasfilm, LucasArts, and Industrial Light Magic. The buildings are closed to the public, but visitors can wander the park outside. Reviews on Yelp report that it's possible to enter the lobby to view life-size statues of Darth Vader and Boba Fett and costumes and props from the films during weekday business hours.
The original set for Luke Skywalker's childhood home on Tatooine, in Matmata, Tunisia, was turned into a hotel in 1995. The accommodations at Hotel Sidi Driss are basic and the facility earns mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. But many fans willing to travel to Tatooine/Tunisia are eager to spend the night anyway, and prices start at about $20.
Death Valley National Park is the backdrop for many scenes from the original "Star Wars" (aka "A New Hope") and "Return of the Jedi." Visitors can take the Golden Canyon Hike, about two miles long, and see if they recognize the scenery. Guides and maps of notable spots are available online, and entrance is $30 per vehicle.
The National Cathedral may seem an unlikely destination for Star Wars enthusiasts, but for those who find themselves in Washington, D.C., it's worth a visit: A grotesque on the northwest tower has been sculpted to look like Darth Vader. Bring binoculars, because it can be hard to see with the naked eye.
A walk through any redwood forest will remind aficionados of Endor, but sadly many of the locations in "Return of the Jedi" are no longer accessible to the public. You can enjoy two — both used for the speeder bike chase scene: Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park in northern California.
Sitting on the edge of Lake Como in northern Italy, the Villa del Balbianello is a picturesque destination. The villa appeared in "Attack of the Clones" during the lake retreat scenes (and made cameos in the James Bond film "Casino Royale"). Guided tours of the villa are available; admission to the gardens only is cheaper.
Legoland in California has a year-round Star Wars Miniland, in which more than 1.5 million bricks are used to create seven scenes from the various movies. Tickets start at $89; be sure to buy online in advance to save a few bucks.
Check for Meetup and Facebook groups to connect with nearby Star Wars fans for events and activities year-round. Fans convene annually on Star Wars Day, May 4, a date chosen for the irresistible pun "May the Fourth be with you."
Many Major League Baseball teams host Star Wars events annually. ESPN will televise several Star Wars themed games including New York Yankees hosting the Houston Astros on May 4, and Los Angeles Dodgers visiting the Chicago Cubs on May 5.
Start planning a Mardi Gras trip. In New Orleans, krewes organize and put on parades or balls during Carnival season. The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, named for Star Wars' fuzziest hero and known for pranks, publicity stunts, and drunken antics, holds annual Mardi Gras parades and associated events.
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The Star Wars Celebration, a global convention will take place in Anaheim, California in August of 2022. Cast, crew, original costumes, exclusive merchandise, and hordes of Star Wars enthusiasts gather for the event. Tickets for the next Celebration typically go on sale in June.