#‘Star Wars’ Celebration canceled for the first time due to the coronavirus

For the first time in the event’s history, the 2020 “Star Wars” Celebration has been canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Monday in a statement on their website. A new date has been set for Aug. 18, 2022.

The global gathering of “Star Wars” fans — which began in 1999 in Denver to celebrate the release of “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” — was originally scheduled to take place Aug. 27 to 30 in California’s Anaheim Convention Center.

For over 20 years, “Star Wars” Celebration has been held in various venues around the world, including Japan and Germany. It regularly draws crowds of 30,000 people, which is not ideal in an era where there’s a highly contagious illness going around. This year would have been its second time in Anaheim (after a first time in 2015).

Ticket-holders have the option to transfer this year’s ticket to the 2022 event, get a refund or replace it with credit for “Star Wars” swag.

“At ‘Star Wars’ Celebration, the health and safety of our fans, attendees, exhibitors, guests and staff is always our number one priority,” the organizers said in the statement. “Due to the global impact of the COVID-19 virus and in speaking with local and state authorities on the latest public health guidelines related to indoor conventions, we have made the decision to cancel ‘Star Wars’ Celebration for 2020.”

“Star Wars” Celebration joins a long line of canceled or postponed events, including the Oscars.

The “Star Wars” Celebration in 2022 will take place Aug. 18 to 20 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Meanwhile, fans can get their fix by watching “The Mandalorian” Season 2 on Disney this fall.