Home Vancouver Events Calendar MAY Events in Vancouver in 2024 Vancouver May the Fourth Star Wars Events

Vancouver May the Fourth Star Wars Events

Storm Trooper at Canada Place

May 4th is when people dress as Star Wars characters, say “May the Fourth be with you” and attend special events like the one at Vancouver’s Space Centre.

Of course not everyone dresses up in costume on the day, but diehard fans of the science fiction franchise do. On the radio and in general conversation you’ll hear lots of people making reference to the day and saying “May the Fourth be with you.”

May the Fourth celebrations looked quite different in 2020 and 2021 thanks to COVID-19. Most public venues were closed. A few Star Wars-themed events took place in 2022. Most were scheduled to return in 2023 and will likely be back in 2024 too.

Note: In addition to Star Wars-themed events, early May is also when the Royal Canadian International Circus is usually in the Lower Mainland. In 2024 it will likely be in Surrey, but with exact details to be confirmed. For the circus’ website, visit royalcanadiancircus.ca.

 

May the Fourth in Vancouver

A small number of Star Wars-themed events take place in Vancouver on May 4th each year. Some years there are special activities at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. There are also celebrations at a number of public libraries, toy stores and night clubs around town. Last year there was a Star Wars Trivia Night at Maan Farms in Abbotsford. Hopefully it’ll be back again in 2024.

 

501 Legion at Vancouver Space Centre
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on May 4th

 

Star Wars at the Space Centre

Special family-friendly Star Wars-themed activities take place at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on May 4th most years. In 2023 the Space Centre hosted its May the Fourth Be With You event on Thursday, May 4th. It was a family night of activities from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. We expect the event to happen again in 2024.

Children and their families are invited to dress up as their favourite Star Wars characters and enjoy an evening of science demonstrations, presentations and other activities. Last year’s event featured “The Making of Andor” lecture with guest speakers from the show’s visual effects team.

Members of Vancouver’s 501st Legion Outer Rim Garrison also attend most years and that makes for fabulous photo opportunities at the event. In attendance are Darth Vader, a number of Stormtroopers, a Tuskan Raider and various other characters. It’s impressive!

At the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre event you can expect to see lots of young families, Star Wars fanatics of all ages and dozens of folks dressed as their favourite Rebel and Empire characters.

See our H.R. MacMillan Space Centre article for general information about the venue.

 

May Fourth at the Space Centre
May the Fourth at the Space Centre

 

Star Wars Trivia Night at Maan Farms

Maan Farms is a farm in Abbotsford. In addition to selling fresh produce, the farm has family-friendly activities including farm animals to see and play structures for kids to climb on. The farm also hosts events from time to time, including Trivia Nights.

Last year, on Friday, May 4th, the Trivia Night theme was Star Wars!

To learn more about the farm, see our article about Maan Farms in Abbotsford.

 

Other Vancouver May the Fourth Events

May the Fourth events also take place at a number of other Lower Mainland locations each year. Below is a list of public libraries and other locations where Star Wars characters and celebrations normally happen. Some are pretty simple affairs, and others, like the event at the above-mentioned Space Centre, are usually more extensive.

 

May the Fourth in Vancouver

The Star Wars franchise is sometimes celebrated on May 4th at the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Street. When it is, there were crafts and activities. The event is usually free and suitable for elementary school-aged children and their parents.

 

Princess Leia at North Vancouver Library
A Princess Leia Librarian

 

North Vancouver Public Libraries

In 2023 there was a Star Wars photo shoot at North Vancouver’s Main Public Library at 120 West 14th Street. It took place on May 4th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Guests could dress up in their favourite Star Wars costumes and pose in front of a green screen.

A special event also took place at all branches of the North Vancouver District Public Library. In 2023 there was a Star Wars Scavenger Hunt from May 1st to May 8th. It was a self-guided activity that ran from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm each day. Children searched for droids in the libraries to help complete a Star Wars phrase. Kids who completed the hunt received a small Star Wars-related prize (while supplies lasted).

 

Star Wars Character at the N Van Library
North Vancouver Library on May the Fourth

 

May the Fourth in the Tri-Cities

Star Wars Day took place in 2023 at the Terry Fox Library at 2740 Mary Hill Road in Port Coquitlam from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Guests could play with the Sphero BOLT droid on ramps and obstacles.

 

Other Information

May 4th is just one day before the Cinco de Mayo festivities, which take place on May 5th. Click Cinco de Mayo in Vancouver to learn about Mexican-themed celebrations in the Lower Mainland.

For lists of other things to do check out the following: