In case you didn't hear, a highly anticipated, star-studded, million-dollar movie coming out this weekend that's had people talking since its first announcement and that's inspiring nostalgia for fans throughout the country.

I am, of course, talking about "Cats." But yes, there's also a new "Star Wars" lightspeed-ing into theaters, bringing the Skywalker saga to a (supposed) close. 

Hopefully you've already gotten tickets for you and your newly bought Baby Yoda doll to see "The Rise of Skywalker" before the internet spoils it, but considering this is an event decades in the making, you may want to celebrate with more than a movie this weekend. And thankfully, Milwaukee's got plenty of ways to get into the "Star Wars" spirit before or after your special screening – from parties to a museum exhibit featuring toys from a long time ago in a childhood far, far away and even a coffee shop with a name that's out of this world. 

Here are six ways to geek out this weekend:

1. See the movie ... obviously

The best way to celebrate the release of "The Rise of Skywalker" is ... to actually see "The Rise of Skywalker." Duh. And as you might expect, there are plenty of screens dedicated to one of the year's biggest movies on Thursday night and throughout the weekend – whether your theater of choice is a Marcus, the Mayfair AMC, the new Silverspot or neighborhood theaters like the Avalon and Rosebud. There are screenings running just about every hour all night long – and we mean all night long. (I'll see you and a gallon of coffee for the 2 a.m. showing!)

But if you'd rather keep your wait as short as possible, select Marcus theaters will host special opening night fan events, complete with a screening at 5 p.m. – an hour before anyone else – a free junior popcorn and a commemorative pin to remember the night with. Tickets, as you might expect, are limited – for these special screenings and for regular opening night showings – so no matter your plans, get on that like Luke Skywalker on some green alien milk. (Pro-tip: If you don't mind 3-D, and don't mind paying a little extra, 3-D screenings tend to have far more seats remaining than regular showings.)

2. Release party at Boone & Crockett

There's only one thing Boone & Crockett geeks out about more than excellently crafted cocktails – and that's "Star Wars."

The popular Milwaukee bar will once again run a shuttle (of the bus variety, not space) to a special screening of "The Rise of Skywalker" – but while the screening may be sold out, you should definitely join back at Boone & Crockett after the credits roll for an afterparty to discuss the final chapter, enjoy specialty cocktails (maybe some blue milk?), take pictures in the "Star Wars" photo booth and savor some more entertainment with live music from Astral Hand and a pop-up cosplay drag show from Melee McQueen and Malaiya Marvel. It'll be as spirited and fun as a night at Mos Eisley cantina – minus the "wretched hive of scum and villainy" part. 

3. "Star Wars: The Nostalgia Awakens"

While many of our earliest "Star Wars" memories came on a screen big or small, some of our most beloved experiences with the franchise came actually running around in the yard or sitting on the floor of our living room, acting out our own "Star Wars" adventures with a plethora of toys. Now those toys are getting the red carpet treatment along with the movies, as the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum will host "The Nostalgia Awakens," an exhibit showing off a collection of the toys from the 1978-85 release of the original films. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 25, with adults costing $7, $5 for students, $3 for kids 5-13 and free for anyone younger. 

Come for the heart-warming nostalgia-splosion of seeing some of your favorite childhood toys back in one place, stay to plot an intricate "Ocean's 11"-esque heist to steal them away so you can play with them again.

4. Alderaan lives!

Alderaan the planet may be exploded into space rocks, but Alderaan the Milwaukee coffee shop is still alive, kicking and in one piece. Despite its nerd-approved name, Alderaan isn't as resplendent in "Star Wars" stuff as you might imagine. 

"Right away, we decided we didn't want to go too far," co-owner Dave Neumann told us back in 2017. "We're very serious about the coffee, so we wanted to make sure that, even if we're having fun with the name, the focus is on coffee and the quality of the coffee, not models hanging from the ceiling."

That being said, the force is still strong inside the lower East Side coffee joint; the Wi-Fi password is fittingly enough "skywalker," and the house espresso is called the "Imperial Blend" – the perfect brew to keep you awake and cheering at a late-night premiere screening. And plus: It's called Alderaan. Take that, Grand Moff Tarkin; you didn't destroy it after all. 

5. Painting with a Twist (and with the force)

Ready to wield a paintbrush with the grace and skill of a lightsaber? You're in luck as Painting with a Twist in Whitefish Bay will host special "Star Wars" painting events on Dec. 20-21, giving you a chance to recreate your favorite characters and icons from the franchise on canvas. Plus, if your art skills look more like Kylo Ren smashing up that console with his lightsaber, you can instead impress those around with your trivia skills while you Jackson Pollock all over your canvas.