Sarasota Orchestra polled audiences on which film to show at its ultra-popular Movie Pops concert in the 2026-2027 concert season. The response? An overwhelming “finish what you started!” 

On October 23-24 at the Van Wezel, Sarasota Orchestra completes the original trilogy with a symphonic screening of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Since the release of the first Star Wars movie almost 50 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and iconic musical scores composed by John Williams. The film and its RIAA® gold-certified soundtrack feature 11 score cues created by the legendary Academy Award® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer.

After a quick trip back to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo are reunited and join up with the amassing rebel fleet to take down the evil Empire once and for all. But the Empire is plotting too. Emperor Palpatine commands his troops aboard his newly constructed Death Star stationed above the forest moon of Endor, where the rebels—and some unlikely furry friends—make their stand against the Empire. While Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader on the Death Star once more, Han leads a team to take out a shield protecting the battle station so that the rebel fleet can destroy it once more and finally put an end to the war.  

Tickets to Sarasota Orchestra’s Star Wars movie pops concerts sold out in previous seasons, so don’t wait to secure your seats for the best show in the galaxy! 

Concert Details:
Sarasota Orchestra presents Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Date: October 23-24, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Tickets: SarasotaOrchestra.org

This presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts. All Sarasota Orchestra programs and featured artists are subject to change.