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 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.”
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Star Wars Day at the Zoo | Vancouver Canadians Star Wars Day | Star Wars at the Space Centre |Â Other Vancouver May the Fourth Events | More Than A Movie at BC Place | Other Information
May the Fourth Events 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 the More Than A Movie event with Kids Up Front at BC Place Stadium too.
MORE THAN A MOVIE WITHÂ KIDS UP FRONTÂ AT BC PLACE
Kids Up Front is a charity that helps give fun experiences to children who might not otherwise be able to afford tickets to special events and attractions. They hosted their More Than A Movie fundraiser event on May 4th last year. It took place at BC Place and included food, games and a movie on a giant screen.
Details about the event in 2026 are to be confirmed. Hopefully it happens again this year. See the Kids Up Front website for the latest details.
Star Wars Day at the Zoo
The Greater Vancouver Zoo hosts special events from time to time, including a Star Wars Day in the spring. This year the event happens on May 23rd, so a few weeks later than usual.
The May The Forest Be With You event begins at 10:00 am and finishes at 4:00 pm. There are roaming characters from the films, with photo opportunities by donation. The event also features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, live Jedi and Droid shows, themed treats and Animal Spotlight sessions.
For more details about the intergalactic event, click Zoo Star Wars Day 2026.
Vancouver Canadians Star Wars Day
The Vancouver Canadians play minor league baseball from April to September each year. Home games take place at Nat Bailey Stadium, located at 4601 Ontario Street in Vancouver.
This year the team’s Star Wars Day event happens on May 3rd when they play against the Hillsboro Hops. People are encouraged to dress up in their favourite Stars Wars costumes and apparel. Last year those who dressed up and attended the game got a 50% discount off Grandstand tickets at the box office. Plus, the first 500 kids (ages 12 and under) at the game received free light swords. They are giving away light swords again in 2026. Whether or not people in costume get a discount again is to be confirmed.
See the Vancouver Canadians‘ website for more information about this event and others put on by the same baseball team.
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. It’s normally a day of family-friendly and fun activities from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. 2026 details, however, are to be confirmed.
At this event 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.
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 characters like Darth Vader, a number of Stormtroopers and Tuskan Raiders. 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 people dressed as their favourite Rebel and Empire characters.
See our H.R. MacMillan Space Centre article for general information about the venue.
Other Vancouver May the Fourth Events
May the Fourth events also take place at a number of other Lower Mainland locations. Below is a list of public libraries and other locations where Star Wars characters and celebrations sometimes 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 at the Vancouver Public Library. In 2026 there’s an event on May 1st. It’s held at the Firehall Branch at 1455 West 10th Avenue. Between 3:30 and 4:30 pm, there are Star Wars-themed activities in the KidsZone. This event is free and suitable for elementary school-aged children and their parents.
North Vancouver Public Libraries
In 2026 there is a Star Wars Scavenger Hunt at all North Vancouver District Public Libraries. It’s a self-guided activity where children search for Star Wars-related things.
There’s also a special Star Wars Photo Booth at Lynn Valley Library (1277 Lynn Valley Road) on May 3rd and 4th. Guests can pose in front of a green screen and get added to a Star Wars scene of their choosing. It’s free to enjoy and runs from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on May 4th.
More Than A Movie at BC Place
It wasn’t necessarily a Star Wars event, but another great event that happened on May 4th last year was More Than A Movie at BC Place Stadium!
More Than A Movie is geared towards children and their families, and features the screening of a popular movie on the massive jumbotron in the stadium. There are also plenty of on-field activities to enjoy (including, usually, the chance to meet some Star Wars characters)!
Last year the event ran from noon to 5:00 pm. The movie was The Wild Robot. As of the last time we checked, details about what’s happening in 2026 are to be confirmed.
Visit the Kids Up Front Vancouver website for more information about this event.
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.
Check out the following for lists of other things to do:
- Vancouver May Calendar
- Vancouver Festivals & Events
- Best Places for Children
- Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places
