Star Wars 50th Anniversary Plans Run From a Welsh-Language TV Premiere to a UK Concert Weekender
Star Wars' 50th anniversary plans include a Welsh-language TV premiere, a restored theatrical release and UK live concerts in 2027.
Half a century after Star Wars first arrived, the anniversary plans are taking shape in an unusual order: a Welsh-language TV premiere comes first, then a restored theatrical return, and then live orchestras take over some of the UK's biggest halls. For fans of A New Hope and the original trilogy, the newly detailed schedule now stretches from Christmas Day 2026 into spring 2027.
The biggest live update is in the UK
The clearest addition to the anniversary lineup is a series of concert screenings built around John Williams' score. Senbla's Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert is set for a regional UK tour in March 2027, pairing a full screening of the 1977 film with a live orchestra performing the Oscar-winning music in sync with the action.
The announced stops are Sheffield City Hall on March 21, Birmingham Symphony Hall on March 25, and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on March 27.
London will get a larger follow-up a month later. Royal Albert Hall is scheduled to host a four-day Star Wars Weekender from April 29 to May 2, 2027, with the London Symphony Orchestra accompanying screenings of the original trilogy. Six performances are planned in total, covering A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The schedule listed so far puts A New Hope on April 29 and May 1, The Empire Strikes Back on April 30 and May 1, and Return of the Jedi on May 2. The London Symphony Orchestra's involvement is especially notable because it recorded Williams' original scores.
The anniversary rollout starts before 2027
The 50th anniversary program begins before the calendar turns. S4C is set to premiere the Welsh-language version of the film, Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, on Christmas Day 2026.
From there, February brings two more major pieces. Star Wars: The Experience - A Journey Through the Galaxy opens at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027. The official exhibition is described as a world premiere and will span 18,000 square feet, with props, costumes and interactive environments from across the franchise. A newly restored version of the original film is then due back in theaters on February 19, 2027.
Publishing is part of the anniversary slate as well. Star Wars: A New Hope - Triple Take will retell the story through the perspectives of Luke, Leia and Han, while Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles will bring together characters from both universes.
All of it points back to the movie first released in 1977 as Star Wars, later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, which introduced Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo and launched the franchise's original big-screen story.
