It’s the time again, from a galaxy far, far away, all the way to your Devonshire living room! Every year on May 4th, Star Wars fans around the world celebrate their love for the beloved franchise with a variety of traditions. From movie marathons to costume parties, Star Wars Day has become a “hashtag holiday” in every sense of the word!

History and Origins of May the 4th

May the 4th is a play on words from the famous Star Wars catchphrase, “May the Force be with you.” The phrase was first used in the original Star Wars film in 1977 and has since become one of the most used movie quotes in cinema history.

In 2011, the first official Star Wars Day celebration was held at the Toronto Underground Cinema in Canada. The event featured screenings of Star Wars films, trivia contests, and costume contests. Since then, Star Wars Day has become an international celebration, with events held all over the world.

Events You Didn’t Know About

Outside the typical cosplay and original, prequel, and sequel trilogy binge, there are numerous Star Wars Day traditions you probably didn’t know about:

Themed Food and Drinks

Food and drink are essential components of any celebration, and Star Wars Day is no exception. While many fans may be familiar with the famous Blue Milk seen in the films, there are many other Star Wars-themed food and drink options available. Japanese McDonald’s offer a special “Star Wars Burger” with black buns, inspired by the iconic Darth Vader. In the United States, restaurants such as Denny’s and IHOP have offered limited-time Star Wars-themed menus on May the 4th. Additionally, many fans enjoy creating their own Star Wars-themed cocktails and mocktails, such as the Yoda Sodaor the Darth Vader-tini.

Gaming Events

Besides Star Wars releases on the day, online gaming communities often hold special Star Wars-themed events. In 2020, the popular game Fortnite held a special Star Wars Day event featuring exclusive in-game content and a virtual appearance by director J.J. Abrams. Additionally, tabletop gaming communities play Star Wars only games throughout the evening.

Themed Runs and Walks

These events, often held as charity fundraisers, encourage fans to dress up as their favorite Star Wars characters and participate in a 5K or other distances. In the United States, runDisney has held Star Wars-themed races at Disneyland and Walt Disney World on or around the date. In the United Kingdom, the charity Cancer Research UK has organized Star Wars-themed fun runs in London and other European cities.

Arts and Crafts

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach to celebrate George Lucas’ masterpiece, there are a variety of art and craft traditions that exist. In Japan, origami artists create intricate Star Wars-themed designs, including Yoda and the Millennium Falcon. Locally, Etsy and other online marketplaces feature a variety of Star Wars-themed craft items, such as crocheted BB-8s and knitted lightsabers.

A quick Google search will also yield Star Wars-theme fan artwork, such as drawings or paintings of their favorite characters or scenes from the films.