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.
In 2024 there is a kid-friendly Star Wars event on May 4th at the Sweet Spring Flower Festival at Greendale Acres in Chilliwack. In the same city, there’s also the Party in the Park food truck festival on May 4th and 5th at Central Community Park.
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.”
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’s in Surrey from May 2nd until the 12th (and then again in Richmond from May 16th to the 20th). For the circus’ website, visit royalcanadiancircus.ca. (TIP: With the circus, if you use the promo code VANSBESTPLACES you can get 2-for-1 general admission tickets!)
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Star Wars Day at Greendale Acres | Star Wars at the Space Centre | Star Wars at Party in the Park | Other Vancouver May the Fourth Events | 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 a Star Wars Trivia Night at Maan Farms in Abbotsford. Hopefully it’ll be back again in 2024.
Star Wars Day at Greendale Acres
Sweet Spring is a family-friendly flower festival at Greendale Acres Farm in Chilliwack. It runs from early April until early May. The festival features thousands of tulips and other flowers, plus lots of play structures and games for children. In 2024 the festival also hosts a number of special themed days, including Grandparents Day (on April 26th), Fairytale Day (on April 27th), and Star Wars Day (on May 4th). On Star Wars Day kids and their families are encouraged to dress up in their favourite Star Wars costumes.
To learn more about this event see our article about the Sweet Spring Flower Festival or visit the Greendale Acres website.
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.
Star Wars at Party in the Park
The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival hosts a special event in the Fraser Valley. The Chilliwack Party in the Park features food trucks, market vendors, live entertainment, a beer garden, and activities for children. It’s completely free to attend.
In 2024 there’s another special twist. The event takes place on May 4th and 5th at Central Community Park. In celebration of both Star Wars and Cinco de Mayo, folks are encouraged to dress up in costumes. Best dressed guests have the chance to win a prize.
For more information about the event, click Chilliwack Party in the Park.
MAY 5TH WEDDING SHOW
Know anyone planning to get married? Are you perhaps engaged yourself? The West Coast Wedding Show happens on May 5th in Burnaby. It’s not a Star Wars-themed event, but it does happen on the same weekend!
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. As of late March, whether this happens again in 2024 is to be confirmed.
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 are crafts and activities. The event is usually free and suitable for elementary school-aged children and their parents.
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).
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:
- Vancouver May Calendar
- Vancouver Festivals & Events
- Best Places for Children
- Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places
