May The Toys Be With You returns to Leicester Museum & Art Gallery in 2026—bigger, brighter, and packed with more Star Wars nostalgia than ever before.
First unveiled in 2018, the exhibition was an instant hit, drawing fans of all ages to marvel at the extraordinary collection of lifelong superfan Matt Fox. Now, eight years on, the showcase is back with a completely refreshed display and more than 400 treasures from Matt’s personal archive, charting the evolution of Star Wars toys across five decades.
From the iconic Millennium Falcon to the worlds of The Mandalorian, and from vintage Palitoy action figures to today’s beloved LEGO sets and Funko Pops, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural impact of one of the world’s most enduring franchises.
Matt’s passion for collecting began the moment he first encountered Star Wars as a five‑year‑old.
“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 don’t think I’ve ever lost that wide‑eyed joy when adding something new to my collection. I’m delighted to share it with Leicester Museum—and grateful to the people of Leicester for being part of the cure!”
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Visitors can expect rare prototype pieces, standout centrepieces, original poster art, and immersive dioramas that bring the galaxy far, far away vividly to life.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said the exhibition will strike a chord with anyone who remembers the excitement of Star Wars toys in the late 1970s and early 1980s, while also offering plenty for younger fans raised on the prequels, sequels, and streaming-era stories.
May The Toys Be With You opens Saturday, April 25 and runs until September 6 at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.
Admission is free.
