RETURNING like a Jedi to Leicester Museum tomorrow (Saturday 25 April) is an all-new exhibition that’s set to captivate Star Wars’ fans of all ages.
May The Toys Be With You – a celebration of Star Wars toys and memorabilia – first delighted visitors back in 2018, when superfan Matt Fox teamed up with the museum to display hundreds of items from his personal collection.
Eight years later, the exhibition is back – fully refreshed and renewed for 2026 and with more than 400 items from Matt’s collection helping to bring the Star Wars toy story to life.
From the Millennium Falcon to The Mandalorian, and from Palitoy’s vintage era action figures through to today’s much-loved Lego sets and Funko Pops, the toys represent five decades of toy design – and a lifelong obsession for Matt.
“If collecting is a sickness and sharing it is the only cure, then I’ve been terminally ill with the Star Wars bug for most of my life,” he said.
“I encountered the film as a wide-eyed five-year-old on my very first outing to a cinema, and my first figure – Darth Vader – was purchased that same day. Now I’m an adult collector, but I don’t think I’ve ever really lost that wide-eyed joy when acquiring new pieces for my collection.
“I am very pleased to be able to share it with Leicester Museum and want to thank the people of Leicester for being part of the cure!”
The exhibition will also feature one-off prototype items from Matt’s collection, as well as striking star pieces, iconic poster art and dioramas, creating an immersive experience for visitors of all ages.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Anyone who was a child in the late 1970s or early 1980s will remember how exciting and popular these toys were, so this exhibition will be a fascinating trip down memory lane for many people of that generation.
“But there’s also plenty for younger Star Wars fans to enjoy too, and lots of familiar items for those who grew up with the prequels in the 1990s.
“Leicester Museum prides itself on its varied programming and always offers something for everybody, so I am very pleased that this brand new exhibition is now ready to open and I’m sure that this incredibly detailed and complete collection of Star Wars merchandise will be hugely popular with visitors.”
May The Toys Be With You opens at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery tomorrow (Saturday 25 April) and continues until 6 September.
Admission is free of charge.
Please note that this exhibition has not been prepared, approved or licensed by Disney, Lucasfilm or any of its assignees. This is not an official exhibition. The exhibitor recognises that some words, names and designations mentioned within are the property of the trademark holder. They are used for identification purposes only.