EW's Guide to Star Wars Celebration 2019

Fans from around the world are gathering in Chicago for the launch of this year's Star Wars Celebration. EW will be covering this disturbance in the Force all weekend — highlighting new movies, TV shows, games, and more. Here's a preview of what to expect.

Friday — 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET

Finally! The first trailer for the December film (and surely a title) will be presented during an epic panel featuring director J.J. Abrams and special guests. We're likely to see new stars and veterans, creatures and droids, and maybe some surprises.

Mark Hamill has told fans he can't attend Celebration this year, but if you're a gambling kind of person, place some money on Billy Dee Williams representing on behalf of the Original Trilogy. He makes his first return to the galaxy as Lando Calrissian in Episode IX.

Friday — 1:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. ET

This virtual reality experience takes players to the lava world of Mustafar to confront the Sith Lord. It's part of the $399 Oculus Quest, which hits stores this spring. ILMxLAB pledges to showcase the lightsaber battle from the title, which was written and executive produced by The Dark Knight screenwriter David S. Goyer.

Saturday — 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET

New revelations about the theme park attractions opening at Disneyland on May 31 and Walt Disney World on Aug. 29. The rides, the food, the experience — "it's real, all of it," to steal a line from Han Solo.

Saturday — 1:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. ET

This video game from EA and Respawn Entertainment centers on a Jedi-in-training who survives the Dark side massacre of the Jedi in Revenge of the Sith. This teaser poster suggests a story that ventures back into Jedi lore and artifacts.

Saturday — 4 p.m. CT/5 p.m. ET

Star Wars creature shop maestro Neal Scanlan will show off his team's latest creations. Expect the menagerie to feature a number of droids and aliens teased in the earlier Episode IX reveals.

Saturday — 4 p.m. CT/5 p.m. ET

Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano and the proprietor of the HerUniverse line of geek-girl apparel hosts this panel on the female characters of Star Wars — joined by Vanessa Marshall (voice of Hera Syndulla), Catherine Taber (the voice of Padme Amidala), and Amy Ratcliffe (pictured), author of Women of the Galaxy.

Sunday — 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET

A look inside the Disney+ series starring Pedro Pascal as a masked bounty hunter navigating the lawless territory after the fall of the Empire in Return of the Jedi. Iron Man and The Jungle Book filmmaker Jon Favreau is executive producing, and has teased the return of some classic characters — like killer droid IG-88. Gina Carano, Nick Nolte, and Werner Herzog are co-starring.

Sunday — 3:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. ET

Executive producer Dave Filoni will discuss the show's upcoming return to the Disney+ streaming service, with Ahsoka Tano now a rogue Force-sensitive warrior who warns Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker of a growing threat.

Monday — 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET

Warwick Davis hosts this look back at the first prequel as it approaches its two-decade mark. Behind the scenes insights and special guests are promised as fans gain a new perspective on one of the saga's most divisive films.

A new 10-foot tall, 88-foot long mural has been erected at Celebration that showcases the entire timeline of the known Star Wars universe. This image is just one detail from the piece, created by artist Jason Palmer, who has been a Star Wars fan since he saw the first movie in 1977 at the age of 13.

Expect to see an array of otherworldly costumes and creations as fans show off their fandom by recreating classic characters — and sometimes inventing new ones.

Monday — 3:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. ET

Lucasfilm always saves something special to say goodbye. This will mark the end of the 20th Celebration event.