The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland will host a free Star Wars Day celebration on Monday, 4 May 2026. The event coincides with the UK Bank Holiday, offering families and fans the chance to meet iconic characters from the film franchise as part of the centre’s ongoing community activities.
During the event, costumed performers dressed as Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and a Stormtrooper will roam the shopping centre malls. Visitors are invited to take photos with the characters throughout the day. Under the direction of Centre Director Karen Eve, the shopping centre continues its focus on hosting experience-driven events for the local community, following a year that saw 11 million visitors and a ranking among the top five shopping centres in the North East.
The characters are set to appear at four specific times: 11:00-11:40am, 12:10-12:50pm, 1:20-2:00pm, and 2:30-3:00pm. The celebration marks a local take on the global Star Wars Day tradition, which has evolved from a grassroots fan movement into an internationally recognised date embraced by Disney and Lucasfilm.
This event, announced on 29 April 2026, is open to all visitors at no charge. It provides a seasonal activity for residents over the extended holiday weekend.
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