Celebration Preparation 2019



One of the things I really want to do with this blog is to create a resource that can help people as they prepare for Star Wars Celebration.

Here you will find links to all of my Preparation and Tips posts and much more, so everything is all in one place.

UPDATED - Before doing anything download the official Star Wars Celebration App! The app is live now for Apple and Android, and is your key to Celebration. Linked to an activated badge it will give you access to panel reservations, lightspeed store access and more.

THE BASICS

 When and where?

Star Wars Celebration will take place Thursday 11 April - Monday 15 April 2019 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The show floor will be open 13:00-20:00 on Thursday, a "Bounty Hunter" preview day with no panels, 10:00-19:00 Friday - Sunday, and 10:00-17:00 on Monday.

Adult tickets cost $215.00 for the full five day event and $75.00 for individual days ($55.00 for Thursday).

Kids (aged 6-12) tickets cost $100.00 for five days and $35.00 for individual days.

Monday tickets can be purchased here along with select pre-show merchandise. All other tickets are now sold out. Fans looking for sold out tickets can register their interest with Lyte, the Official Resale Service.

Official Hotel rooms are available via OnPeak but availability is limited. Keep checking as Celebration gets closer as more rooms may become available as peoples' travel plans change. Failing that, Chicago has excellent transport links with the red and green subway line both getting you within 3 blocks of the convention centre so check out hotels along those lines and around the Chicago Loop area where public transport (and hopefully shuttles buses) will be available.

CELEBRATION GUIDES

Essential Info
Lightspeed Made Easy! Your Guide to Lotteries, Panel Reservations, and Virtual Lines (Now Updated)
Entry to Celebration - Your Guide to Getting In on the Day
Show Floor Maps
Full Schedule for all stages and events

 Celebration Basics
Two Golden Rules for Celebration
Getting the Most Out of Your Celebration
Conventions 101 (or, a basic guide to conventions)
Cosplay
Budget, Budget, Budget (or, what you'll spend your money on at Celebration)

Celebration Packing List
A Star Wars Celebration Packing List - Everything you need in your main bag, your convention bag and for staying over night (you can ignore the over night bit now!)
The Convention Bag - What you'll want with you every day

 Chicago
Public Transport in Chicago (the easiest way to travel!)
Celebration Shuttle Service
Eating in Chicago

 CELEBRATION GUESTS

 Check out this page for all the latest updates on Celebration guests along with autograph/photo op pricing and sale links. Or go straight to the Epic Photo Ops page to buy your autograph and photo op tickets now!

 CELEBRATION EXCLUSIVES

Check out all the currently announced Celebration exclusives right here, along with details of any requirements like lotteries and wristbands that you need to know about.

Check out all the details on the Celebration Art Show here, along with sale information for these beautiful Celebration exclusives.

 In addition to the official exclusives be on the look out for fellow fans who are giving out or trading SWAG buttons, poker chips and more throughout Celebration.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO AT CELEBRATION

The Panels
Here are the major panels coming to Star Wars Celebration Chicago. These are the panels where you will see the biggest special guests, the latest trailers, and maybe even a full episode from an upcoming season.

Episode IX - Friday April 12th at 11:00 (Celebration Stage)
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series - Friday April 12th at 13:30 (Celebration Stage)
Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to Life - Saturday April 13th at 11:00 (Celebration Stage)
Rebels Remembered - Saturday April 13th at 12:45 (Galaxy Stage)
Jedi: Fallen Order - Saturday April 13th at 13:30 (Celebration Stage)
The Mandalorian - Sunday April 14th at 11:00 (Celebration Stage)
The Clone Wars - Sunday April 14th at 15:30 (Celebration Stage)
The Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary - Monday April 15th at 11:00 (Celebration Stage)
Resistance Season 2 - Monday April 15th at 13:30 (Galaxy Stage)

Full Panel details for all 3 main stages have now been revealed by StarWars.com and the full schedule for Celebration has been revealed on the official Celebration website.

Here you can find a downloadable spreadsheet that covers all 5 days (plus Wednesday evening), every panel, every official event, all the fan meet ups and group photo announced so far, everything I could find (with a lot of help from others on social media) all in one place so you can see exactly how events line up. Download it, personalise it to your schedule. I hope you find it useful.

 The Show Floor
The Star Wars Show Live!
Show Floor Maps
Exhibitors List
ILMxLAB - Vader Immortal Demo
Star Wars Saga Mural
Rancho Obi-Wan
Authors Show Floor Signings
LEGO Freemakers/All-Stars Signings
Fan Clubs Interactive Fan Experience (Updated with Booth Map)
Fan Sets and Props
EA Games
Fantasy Flight Games Events & Open Play Rooms
Tattoo Pavilion
Build Rogue One's Battle of Scarif with the Diorama Builders
Fan Tables
Bounty Hunt
Star Wars Celebration Speed Dating

 Entertainment
Free Star Wars Movie Screenings at the Marriott - Thursday, Friday, Sunday & Monday
"Rogue Pun" - The Second City at Celebration - Friday April 12th at 20:00 & 23:00
D23 Screening of Return of the Jedi - Saturday April 13th 18:30-21:30
Star Wars: The Old Republic Celebration Cantina - Saturday April 13th from 19:00-23:00
Movie Trivia Schmoedown Live! SWCC Championship Match - Saturday April 13th from 20:00-23:00
Saber Battle at The Bean - Saturday April 13th 20:30-21:30
Star Wars Night White Sox vs Royals - Monday April 15th at 19:10

Fan Group Photo Ops & Meet Ups
If you're part of the 501st, the Rebel Legion, the Mando Mercs or any of Star Wars' incredible costume groups you won't want to miss these amazing photo shoots! And even if you're not a member, seeing so many incredible costumes together at once is an amazing sight to see. The "Big 3" group photos are listed here, along with the multi club Celebration Bash, but there's so many more!

Fan Club Bash - Thursday April 11th from 20:00
Mandalorian Mercs Photo - Friday April 12th at 12:00
The Galactic March - Friday April 12th at 15:00
Rebel Legion Photo - Saturday April 13th at 12:00
501st Legion Photo - Sunday April 14th at 09:00

Make sure you check out the link above for the full list of group photos and meet ups coming to Celebration Chicago!

 Have an amazing time at Celebration!!

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