PHOENIX — May the Fourth be with you!
Happy Star Wars Day to all who wish they could be Jedi or fly around the galaxy in the Millennium Falcon with a Wookie by their side!
The time has come once again to celebrate one of the most famous film franchises of all time, but before we get to how people are celebrating in 2024, here's a look at how the holiday came to be.
How May 4 came to be known as Star Wars Day
There is no simple explanation for how Star Wars Day came to be, according to StarWars.com. But, the use of the phrase 'May the Fourth be with you" can be dated back to 1978, the year after the first film in the franchise, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, was released, in an effort to mimic the famous phrase from the film, "May the force be with you."
In the early 2000s, the unofficial holiday began to take shape as fans began to hold Star Wars-themed parties, community events and gatherings on May 4 and others used it to re-watch the movies.
LucasFilm, the studio responsible for creating Star Wars, began joining in on the celebrations in the early 2010s and now, it has become an annual tradition for Star Wars fans worldwide.
How to celebrate Star Wars Day in Arizona
Around the Valley, there will be plenty of ways for you to celebrate Star Wars this year. Here's a look at a few of them, and if we missed one, let us know by emailing us at connect@12news.com.
Paw Wars Dog Party
A Star Wars-themed party is being put on specifically for dogs at 821 N 5th Avenue in Phoenix on Saturday. It will go from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is described as " an epic celebration that combines the best of both worlds. Paw Wars is an out-of-this-world event where furry friends and their rebel owners can come together in an intergalactic adventure."
There will be a costume contest anddog treat tastings along with a beer tent, taco truck, local vendors and more.
For more information, click here.
Star Wars Rave at Thundercat Lounge
If you'd rather celebrate Star Wars with a party late into the night, head on over to the Thundercat Lounge at 747 W Van Buren Street in Phoenix for a Star Wars rave.
There will be music from DJ Darth Vader featuring LaDell Ransom & NOOD. There will also be a costume contest, drink specials and more.
The rave is free if you RSVP and $5 at the door.
It will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday and is only open to people 21 years old or older.
For more information, click here.
Star Wars Day at The Casual Pint Craft Beerstro
Over at the Casual Pint Craft Beerstro, which is located at 4678 N 16th Street in Phoenix, you can catch your favorite Star Wars film, as they will shown all day long on Saturday, starting at noon.
There will be vendors at The Casual Pint from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Star Wars trivia at 6 p.m. and they will have two special beers on tap, which are both collaborations with Simple Machine.
For more information, click here.
Star Wars dance at DanceWise Dance Studio
If watching Star Wars makes you so happy you could dance, head on over to the DanceWise Dance Studio, located at 5555 N 7th Street, Suite 112 in Phoenix for their Star Wars-themed Saturday night social dance.
The night starts at 7 p.m. with a beginning tango class, then is followed at 7:45 p.m. with an intermediate/advanced tango class.
The social dance will go from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Tickets cost $15 if you take a class and $10 if you just attend the dance. Students age 24 and under can get in for $5 by showing a valid student ID.
For more information, click here.
May the Fourth at Bookmans Phoenix
If you are a fan of the Star Wars expanded universe then you'll want to head over to Bookmans Entertainment Exchange at 8034 N 19th Avenue in Phoenix for their May the Fourth celebration.
"At your local Bookmans spaceport…you’ll never find a more eclectic vibe of fun and discovery," the store's website reads. "Find everything to fuel your Star Wars obsession at Bookmans on May the 4th and take advantage of our galactic in-store savings, special giveaways, and fun surprises!"
You can dress up as your favorite Star Wars character for a chance at winning a prize, there will be special activities for kids, and if you buy three items, you can get a fourth for free.
Fans may even get a chance to meet some stormtroopers!
For more information, click here.
Star Wars Night at the Rebel Lounge
The top small music venue in the world will celebrate Star Wars Day with 'EMONIGHTPHX.'
DJ Sad + Boujee will provide the music and costumes are encouraged.
The show starts at 9 p.m.
Tickets purchased the day of the show will cost $15 and a special 'May the 4-Pack Be With You' costs $30.
You must be 21 years old or older to attend the show.
The Rebel Lounge is located at 2303 E Indian School Road in Phoenix, and you can get more information and purchase tickets here.
May the Fourth at Kitsune Brewing Co.
Kitsune Brewing Co., located at 3321 E Bell Road, Suite B-5 in Phoenix, will be releasing four special beers for May the Fourth.
They are: Bantha Milk (a blue raspberry smoothie sour), This is the Way (a mango strawberry and tangerine smoothie sour), Lack of Faith (a sweet cherry smoothie sour) and Like my Father Before Me (a pineapple lime smoothie sour).
There will also be Star Wars trivia at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and a Star Wars paint night at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the paint night cost $40 and include all paint supplies, instruction and a free beer. Tickets for that can be purchased here.
May the Fourth at Cholla and Cesar Chavez Libraries
The whole family can head out to the Cholla or Cesar Chavez Libraries in Phoenix for a special May the Fourth celebration from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
There will be activity stations (including one where you can make your own lightsaber), crafts, a Star Wars storytime and chances to meet Star Wars characters!
The Cesar Chavez Library is located at 3635 W Baseline Road in Phoenix and the Cholla Library is located at 10050 Metro Parkway East in Phoenix.
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