Yuma hosts Star Wars movie night, contests at historic theatre

A $5 movie ticket, a $12 Star Wars-themed hamburger dinner and a full night of fan contests will bring a May the 4th crowd to the Yuma Historic Theatre, where the City of Yuma plans a downtown gathering built around Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Dinner pickup will begin at 4 p.m., movie doors will open at 5:15 p.m. and the film will start at 5:50 p.m., with concessions available before and during the show.

The City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department said the Monday, May 4 event at 254 S. Main Street will also include a special preview of The Mandalorian and Grogu. Fans can take part in a Star Wars costume contest, a Wookiee impersonation contest and a memorabilia display, and tables will be available for residents who want to share items from their collections. The city said anyone interested in participating should email starwars@yumaaz.gov by Friday, May 1.

Recreation Program Supervisor Marilyn Lammel said the event is designed to bring people together around a shared experience. “What sets this event apart is its blend of community and entertainment, offering fans the opportunity to connect, have fun, and enjoy a shared Star Wars experience together,” Lammel said.

The choice of the Historic Yuma Theatre gives the event a stronger local identity than a typical movie night. The theater opened in 1912 and sits inside the Yuma Art Center complex, which the city describes as a creative hub with the Historic Yuma Theatre, four visual art galleries, an artisan gift shop, the United Building and a Black Box Theatre. The city says the arts center attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and produces theatre productions, more than 14 visual art exhibitions, nearly fifty arts classes, film screenings, festivals and public-art programming.

The Star Wars night also follows a similar event staged at the same venue in 2025, when the city hosted a Star Wars Movie Night and Memorabilia Showcase at the theater on May 3. That program featured private collectors’ artifacts, toys and collectibles before a screening of A New Hope, showing how the city has turned the downtown theater into a repeat venue for themed community events that draw people inside rather than past it.