THE Force is strong in this one – hundreds of costumed characters are staging a take over of Britain’s National Space Centre next week, all in the name of Star Wars.

Galactic Gathering – Festival Of The Force is to celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Leicestershire attraction on Saturday July 4 and Sunday July 5, with actors and cosplay fans suitably out in force.

First launched in 2006 in collaboration with the 501st UK Garrison fan group, the event quickly became a standout in the sci-fi calendar, and has continued to attract thousands of fans.

Characters from the entire Star Wars universe, spanning films, TV, comics, games, and books, assemble at the National Space Centre each year, transforming it into a living galaxy far, far away.

Special guests on the Saturday this year include Annabelle and Harrison Davis – children of Star Wars legend Warwick Davis – both of whom have themselves appeared in the franchise. 

Harrison played Ewok Pommet Warwick in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker, and was also a Gringotts goblin banker in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Annabelle has been a creature and droid performer in several of the Star Wars movies, and recently won the Best Casting Direction prize at the WhatsOnStage Awards for Paddington Bear the Musical. 

Other guests include concept artist Jake Lunt Davies – known for designing fan-favourite characters including Porgs, BB-8 and B2EMO – and illustrator JAKe Detonator, both of whom will speak about their work.

Across the weekend, visitors can take part in an extensive programme of interactive fun from driving droids and learning lightsaber skills, to creating electronic badges and exploring immersive sets.

A Mandalorian base is being created in the attraction’s Tetrastar Spaceport simulator pre-show space, there’ll be a droid hunt, and a 10th anniversary Rogue One costume exhibition.

Visitors will be able to sit on Emperor Palpatine’s throne, and test their aim with Rebel NERF blasters before exploring the rest of the National Space Centre’s real-life space exploration exhibits.

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For admission prices, availability and to book, visit the official website. A temporary HM Treasury VAT reduction over the summer holidays means ticket prices are currently lower.

Visitors also get a free Annual Pass upgrade, enabling return visits to the National Space Centre throughout the year — although note that Annual Passes are not valid for entry on this specific weekend.

Images courtesy Galactic Gathering / National Space Centre