Where and How to Celebrate ‘Star Wars’ Day This Year

In 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, it was General Dodonna who first uttered the phrase, “And may the Force be with you.” As everyone knows, that phrase became inspiration for the unofficial holiday centered on all things Star Wars. So where will fans be celebrating this year? Well, it won’t be aboard the Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World. The $5,000-$6,000 families needed to shell out for a two-night experience at the Star Wars-themed hotel was too extravagant anyway. However, there are plenty of other options to choose from the simple (enjoying a glass of blue milk) to the extreme (watching all nine original movies in one sitting). Here are a few suggestions.

“Fire of the Rising Moons” in Galaxy’s Edge *(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)*

Experience the ‘Season of the Force’

While the Starcruiser is out, Disney, who purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, continues to champion the holiday at Disneyland. Their “Season of the Force” started up on April 5 and will continue through June 2, 2024. In addition to all of the regular attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, on select nights, this “land” offers the new nighttime experience, “Fire of the Rising Moons”. It cleverly makes use of the park’s fireworks display accompanied by music.

“During this special gathering, villagers and visitors will come together to celebrate their freedom and to honor the heroes and legends of the galaxy who came before them,” states Jessica Pineda, Public Relations Manager at Disneyland Resort. “As the skies over Batuu light up in bursts of color, imaginations are ignited with the iconic music associated with tales from across the galaxy.”

According to Disneyland, guests can enjoy the show from different points within Galaxy’s Edge including the Black Spire Spaceport, the TIE Echelon docking platform and the speeder garage. Guest’s who opt for a MagicBand+ will also add to the ceremony’s atmosphere with colorful lights and ambient vibrations. Limited-time special foods and treats will be available too.

BDX Droids *(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)*

BDX Droids are also scheduled to make daily appearances and guests may encounter them at various locations around Black Spire Outpost throughout the day. Playful and curious, BDX droids are designed to gather information about their surroundings. These friendly restored units are trained to be explorer companions, often assisting in exploration and research.

Hyperspace Mountain overlay at Space Mountain *(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)*

Over in Tomorrowland, the attraction Star Tours – The Adventures Continue has just been updated with new film additions inspired by shows featured on Disney+ including Ahsoka, Andor and The Mandalorian and the ride’s newest destination is the planet Seatos. Be on the lookout for messages from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian, Cassian Andor, Din Djarin and even “Baby Yoda” himself, Grogu. Meanwhile, the Iconic Space Mountain has changed (temporarily) to Hyperspace Mountain where guests will encounter a Star Destroyer and will avoid TIE fighters along the ride.

While Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando doesn’t have its own “Season of the Force” event, you can still take part experiencing thrills at its own version of Galaxy’s Edge and Star Tours attractions.

Skywalker Saga Movie Marathon *(StarWars.com)*

Stay Awake for a ‘Star Wars’ Movie Marathon

Love Star Wars movies? I mean, REALLY love them? Then you’ll want to take part in a nine-movie marathon in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. You can experience the whole Skywalker Saga in chronological order. According to StarWars.com, it will take you 19 hours and 56 minutes to do so (not counting movie trailers, the “exclusive look” at the upcoming Disney+ series, The Acolyte and bathroom breaks). All guests will receive a special limited poster commemorating the event. Participating theaters include:

California: El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Regal Irvine Spectrum in Irvine and Alamo Drafthouse New Mission in San Francisco
Illinois: AMC River East 21 in Chicago
Kansas: AMC Town Center 20 in Kansas City
Massachusetts: Showcase Cinema de Lux Legacy Place, Dedham
New York: AMC Empire 25 in, New York City
Pennsylvania: Regal US King of Prussia in Philadelphia
Texas: Cinemark West Plano XD and ScreenX in Plano
Utah: Megaplex Jordan Commons in Sandy
Virginia: AMC Tysons Corner 16 in McLean
Wisconsin: Marcus Theatre’s Majestic Cinema in Milwaukee
Washington: Cinemark Lincoln Square in Bellevue

Watch ‘Tales of the Empire’

Don’t want to shell out $45 or more to watch the Star Wars movies in the theater? Then warm up Disney+ and watch them from the comfort of your home. You can even watch every Star Wars-themed movie and TV series in chronological order, but you’ll need a little more time to do so.

One of those series is the new Tales of the Empire which features six new shorts which features stories from the Reign of the Empire, Morgan Elsbeth’s Dathomirian origins and what comes after the fall of the Galactic Empire and before her appearances in The Mandalorian Season 2 and Ahsoka Season 1.

Read a Comic Book

The first Saturday of May just so happens to be Free Comic Book Day offering 48 different comics books free for the taking for all ages at participating comic shops nationwide. Two titles will interest fans Star Wars #1 and the bizarre Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures / Plants vs Zombies mashup. One day only, while supplies last.

Give TruMoo Blue Milk a Try

Ever since Luke Skywalker first downed a glass of blue milk in the first movie, people have been wondering what the blue stuff tastes like. Many have partaken in the blue beverage while visiting a Disney theme park, but now you can try a different version at home. TruMoo’s Blue Milk is a 1% low-fat milk with a vanilla flavor and available in grocery stores for a limited. As for the stuff that Mark Hamill had to drink, he wasn’t a fan. According to the actor, it was oily, sweet and “triggered your gag reflex.”