fan traveldestinationsevents

Star Wars Tourism 2026: Real Destinations and Fan Events to Plan Around the New Filoni Era

vviral

2026-01-31

11 min read

Plan smart Star Wars trips in 2026: filming locations, theme parks, and fan events plus tips for fans cautious about the Filoni era.

Planning a shareable Star Wars trip in 2026? Start here — before rumors, ticket drops, and park windows wreck your calendar.

If you’re a traveler, commuter or outdoor adventurer who wants a viral-worthy Star Wars trip, 2026 is both thrilling and a little messy. The franchise entered a new chapter in early 2026 with Dave Filoni taking on the creative reins at Lucasfilm — a move that promises shaken-up releases and more cross-platform projects. That’s great for content and fresh experiences, but it also means release dates, theme-park tie-ins, and official events could shift quickly. This guide gives real, bookable travel ideas, on-the-ground tips for filming locations and attractions, and practical precautions for fans worried about franchise direction.

Top Star Wars travel picks for 2026 (fast list)

Tataouine & Tunisia — Walk real Tatooine dunes, stay in troglodyte guesthouses, and join local tours.
Skellig Michael, Ireland — The island that doubled as Ahch-To (limited daily visitors; plan months ahead).
Redwood forests, California — Hike the Endor-like trails and film epic reels at sunrise.
Abu Dhabi / Liwa Desert — Desert panoramas that stood in for Jakku and other desert planets.
Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge (Anaheim & Orlando) — The flagship, always-book-in-advance attraction for fan photos and content.
Studio and museum exhibitions — Keep an eye on touring exhibitions and limited studio open days in the UK and US.
Fan events — Star Wars Celebration, May the 4th fanfests, and fan film festivals: your content calendar backbone.

The evolution of Star Wars trips in 2026 — why now matters

Late 2025 and early 2026 reshaped how fans should plan travel: leadership changes at Lucasfilm signaled an accelerating slate of projects under Dave Filoni. That means more show-focused activations, potential filming returns to iconic locations, and a shifting official-events calendar. For travelers, the implication is simple: be nimble, lock refundable bookings when possible, and book must-do local experiences early.

“Kathleen Kennedy is out and Dave Filoni is in,” reported Forbes in January 2026 — a transition many fans expect to change Lucasfilm’s production pace and event strategy. (Forbes)

Filming locations: on-the-ground mini-guides

Tunisia — Tatooine (practical guide)

Why go: Tunisia is the archetypal Star Wars pilgrimage. Key sites around Tataouine and Matmata served as backdrops for Luke and Anakin’s Tatooine scenes across the original and prequel trilogies.

Where to stay: Matmata troglodyte guesthouses for authentic architecture; Djerba and Tataouine towns for base camps.
Book: Local 4x4 operators that specialize in film-location tours. Reserve 2–3 months ahead during shoulder seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr).
Permits & respect: Stick to marked access points; some sets are on private or protected land.
Content tip: Golden-hour drone footage over salt flats will get traction — but always confirm local drone rules and operator insurance and check a field-kit and on-site capture guide before you fly.

Skellig Michael, Ireland — Ahch-To (what to know)

Why go: The steep island and monastic ruins on Skellig Michael were immortalized as Luke Skywalker’s hideaway. It’s visually cinematic, but fragile and tightly regulated.

Access: Only small boats run to the island from Portmagee and Valentia; weather cancellations are common.
Book: Tours sell out months ahead in peak season. Expect strict visitor limits because Skellig is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Safety: The climb is steep and requires decent fitness — hire a guide if you’re unsure.
Content tip: Wide lenses and short vertical reels that show the approach by boat convert well on Reels and TikTok.

Redwood forests, Northern California — Endor vibes

Why go: Return of the Jedi used California’s giant redwoods to suggest the Forest Moon of Endor. Trails are public and make easy day trips for dramatic photos.

Best spots: Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt County coastal redwoods.
When to go: Early autumn for fewer people and softer light; sunrise for isolated photos.
Permits: No special permits for casual photography; commercial shoots need permissions and a proper kit — see compact on-location gear reviews like our Field Kit Review.

Abu Dhabi & Liwa Desert — Jakku-esque dunes

Why go: Filmmakers have used the UAE’s dramatic desert to stand in for distant planets. Luxury desert camps give cinematic backdrops without long treks.

Tour operators: Choose companies with experience serving film crews — better vehicles, safety, and golden-hour access.
Weather: Avoid summer months; winter and spring are ideal for comfortable shoots.

Studio backlots & exhibitions (UK & US)

Why go: Many recent Star Wars productions have bounced between UK studios and US facilities. While core studios aren’t always open to the public, touring exhibitions and special studio days appear frequently — keep notifications on for those limited windows.

How to monitor: Follow studio social handles and official Lucasfilm channels for pop-up tours and exhibition dates.
Tip: Sign up for mailing lists from major venues — ReedPop (organizers of Star Wars Celebration) and major museums often announce ticket drops there first.

Theme parks & immersive attractions — where to spend your fandom budget

Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland (Anaheim) and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Orlando) remains the top in-park Star Wars experience. Post-2025 shifts at Lucasfilm make it likely Disney will collaborate on more timed activations, merch drops, and guest experiences tied to Filoni projects.

Booking: Park reservations + Genie+ style add-ons still matter — reserve a park day and any ride/experience windows as early as possible.
Must-do experiences: Smuggler’s Run, Rise of the Resistance (if operating), Oga’s Cantina for content, and photo ops at the Millennium Falcon and Batuu town set pieces.
Insider tip: Visit on off-peak weekdays; early morning land openings give cleaner shots and better candid videos.

Fan events and conventions to anchor your travel plans

Official fan events are your best guarantee of exclusive content, celebrity panels, and first-look reveals. In the Filoni era you can expect more high-profile panels for TV and film projects; but dates and formats will likely shift faster than prior years.

Star Wars Celebration — the marquee franchise event (organized by ReedPop). Sign up for alerts; when host cities are announced, panels and ticket tiers sell out fast.
May the 4th — official and fan-led celebrations across dozens of cities. Great for pop-up meetups and themed flights.
Comic-Con & D23 — big studios use these as reveal platforms; they’re worth planning around if you want to catch major announcements or Filoni-led panels.
Local fanfest & cosplay cons — often cheaper and easier to access panels and local creators.

Cautionary tips for fans worried about franchise direction (practical advice)

Change is part of long-running franchises. If rumors and creative shifts make you hesitant, here are concrete steps to protect your time and money while still getting the travel experience you crave.

Book flexible: Use refundable fares, flexible hotel rates, or low-cost change options. Many airlines and hotels still offer free changes through 2026 promos — and for flight hunting, try a dedicated flight price tracker to catch dips.
Insure wisely: Choose trip insurance that covers event cancellations and force majeure if you’re traveling specifically for a panel or premiere.
Prioritize place over plot: Filming locations and theme-park lands don’t disappear if a film underwhelms — the physical travel experience still delivers.
Focus community-first: Attend local meetups, fan screenings, and exhibitions — community energy often outlasts official creative ebbs and flows.
Wait on long-haul speculative trips: If you’re booking a trip solely around the vague promise of a new Filoni-era production, wait for firm dates and official confirmations.

How to capture viral content: a creator’s checklist

Star Wars travel is content gold if you plan smartly.

Gear: Phone gimbal, wide-angle lens, ND filter (for daylight), portable LED for night shots. Also consider a lightweight laptop — see reviews of the best ultraportables for creators.
Shoot strategy: 60-second vertical reels with 3–4 narrative beats — arrival, discovery, hero shot, local flavor.
Hashtags & tags: Use #StarWarsTourism, #StarWarsTravel, #FiloniEra plus official tags like #MayThe4th or #StarWarsCelebration when relevant.
Permission: For drones and commercial shoots, secure local permits ahead of time — many filming locations enforce strict drone rules. Our on-site capture guide covers insurance and permissions for shoot kits.
Stories & live: Quick live sessions during panels or arrival generate engagement — but always respect speaker media rules at conventions. For discoverability tips on live platforms, check analysis of new social tools like Bluesky’s features for live content.

Booking, budget hacks and timing

Set alerts: Use flight trackers (Google Flights alerts, Skyscanner) for price dips to key hubs (Tunis, Shannon/Kerry for Skellig Michael access, San Francisco/SFO for Redwood access, Abu Dhabi).
Bundle: Combine regional tours with one-way car hires to avoid backtracking and save time.
Local operators: Book reputable local guides for desert and island trips — they’ll know safe launch windows and hidden set-views; see examples of regional agro-stays and local operator tips like those in Valencia Agro-Stays.
Park reservations: If Galaxy’s Edge is a goal, buy park-hopper + reservations early and check seasonal event overlays that could restrict photo ops.
Plan for cancellations: Filoni-era announcements may change event timing. Favor refundable options when the trip is hinged to a single premiere or panel.

Sample mini-itineraries

3-day Galaxy’s Edge weekend (Anaheim)

Day 1: Hit Galaxy’s Edge at park open — ride Smuggler’s Run, shoot hero content at Millennium Falcon Docking Bay. Dinner at a themed restaurant.
Day 2: Attend any park-backed demos, take behind-the-scenes tours if available; evening live-stream Q&A with a local cosplayer for community content.
Day 3: Local coastal shoot at sunrise for cinematic B-roll; post a 60-second edit capturing the arc of the weekend.

7-day Tatooine tour (Tunisia)

Day 1: Arrive in Djerba/Tataouine, settle into a troglodyte guesthouse.
Day 2: Full-day 4x4 tour of Matmata and Chott el Jerid; sunset shots over salt flats.
Day 3: Local market content and off-grid star-photos at a desert camp.
Days 4–5: Explore location ruins, visit small film community museums, interview local guides.
Day 6: Free day for editing and community meetups; upload a short doc-style video.
Day 7: Travel home with a plan to publish a serialized reel series.

5-day Endor + Studio vibe (California + UK hybrid)

Day 1–2: Redwood National Parks — hike and shoot hero content at sunrise.
Day 3: Fly to London for museum exhibitions or studio pop-ups (check for seasonal tours).
Day 4: Attend a fan screening or local sci-fi meetup.
Day 5: Wrap with a content day focused on behind-the-scenes commentary and community reactions.

Case study — a creator’s successful Filoni-era trip

Case: A content creator booked a hybrid trip in late 2025 — Redwood forests for early reels, followed by a last-minute discounted flight to Tunisia after a Filoni-era filming location announcement. Their strategy:

They used refundable fares and a travel-insurance policy that allowed for date changes.
They arranged local guides in Tunisia with a clause to reschedule within 30 days.
They produced three separate vertical videos (teaser, travelogue, cultural piece) that together boosted engagement and made the trip financially positive through sponsored gear mentions and an affiliate booking guide. For gear and studio prep, see our creator resources like Tiny At‑Home Studios and portable kit reviews.

Final checklist before you go

Confirm event dates with official channels (Lucasfilm, ReedPop, Disney Parks).
Book limited-access locations (Skellig) months ahead.
Secure permits and drone insurance for commercial shoots.
Choose travel insurance that covers event cancellations and force majeure.
Plan content buckets in advance and a realistic upload cadence to capitalize on announcements.

Parting advice for skeptical fans

If you’re worried the Filoni era will change the franchise in ways you don’t like, remember this: travel is about the people, places, and memories you collect as much as the story on-screen. Focus your Star Wars travel on real-world experiences — landscapes, culture, and community — that won’t vanish with a poorly received sequel. Meet local fans, attend community screenings, and document what the locations mean to you. That way, even if the franchise shifts tone, your journey still tells a meaningful story.

Where to watch for 2026 updates

Official Lucasfilm channels and the Star Wars website for release announcements.
ReedPop and Star Wars Celebration mailing lists for event tickets.
Major entertainment outlets and travel advisories for filming-permit news and location access advisories.

Call to action

Ready to plan your Filoni-era pilgrimage or a Galaxy’s Edge weekend? Subscribe to our free Star Wars travel alert list for ticket drops, exclusive local tour codes, and a monthly drop of the best fan events. Pack flexible, shoot smart, and let the locations do the heavy lifting — the Force will show up in your feed.

viral

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.