A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... the community gathered to celebrate the ultimate geeky holiday: Star Wars Day.
This fun holiday returns this Saturday, May 4, and Tucsonans are ready to celebrate with movie screenings, dance parties, trivia nights, bar specials and sales.
Whether you’re a Jedi, Sith or something in between, here’s where you can celebrate May the Fourth in Tucson this weekend.
Movie screenings 🎞️
Customers line up at The Curry Pot Sri Lankan Fusion food trailer at Casa Video and Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Ariz., July 20, 2023. A rotation of trucks offering wide variety of menus are a regular staple at outside Casa
“Star Wars Episode IV — A New Hope” screening
The Loft Cinema is showing the first episode of the original Star Wars trilogy at 2 p.m. on May 4. Tickets are $8 for general admission.
Location: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
For more information, visit their website.
Star Wars double feature screening
Casa Video and Film Bar’s Star Wars celebration kicks off at noon on May 4 with a showing of the original “Star Wars: Clone Wars” series from 2003. After watching the series, the film bar is hosting a double feature at 7 p.m. starting with “Star Wars Episode VI — Return of the Jedi” followed by “Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure.”
Under Pressure Panini Grill and Eggroll Masters will also be onsite serving up food.
Location: Casa Video & Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway
For more information, check out their website.
“Star Wars Episode IV — A New Hope” screening
The Forty Niner Country Club is celebrating May the Fourth with a showing of the first episode of Star Wars from the original trilogy at 6:30 p.m. on May 4. This is a free event.
Location: Forty Niner Country Club, 12000 E. Tanque Verde Road
For more information, visit their event page.
“Star Wars Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” screening
Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley is screening the final episode in the Star Wars series from 7-9:30 p.m. on May 4. This is a free outdoor screening event and attendees are encouraged to blankets and chairs.
Location: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their website.
Anxious Star Wars fans wait in line to see Darth Vader who visited Levy's Department Store at El Con Mall in Tucson on June 7, 1980.
“Star Wars Episode I — The Phantom Menace” is back in theaters
OK, OK, this isn’t exclusive to Tucson, so we're not technically counting this one. But, it’s a good opportunity to check out this classic film in theaters just like excited Star Wars fans did in 1999.
Above, check out this fun photo from 1980 of Tucsonans waiting to meet Darth Vader ahead of the release of “Star Wars Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back.”
Location: Major theaters everywhere!
Celebrations + parties 🎉
The Sun and Moon exhibits in Flandrau Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., on the UA campus, Dec. 2, 2022.
Science at Sunset: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
There is a lot of Star Wars geekiness happening at the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on May 4. They’ll have trivia, planetarium presentations, a brief Star Wars laser show and other special activities.
The event runs from 5:30-10 p.m. on May 4. Tickets cost $25 per person (or $15 per person if you’re a Flandrau member).
Location: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
For more information, visit their website.
May the Fourth Be With You: The Great Death Star Infiltration Celebration
Local nonprofit The Centurions is hosting its annual gala from 6 p.m. to midnight on May 4, this time surrounding a Star Wars theme and featuring headliner Smash Mouth. There will also be a Star Wars-themed costume contest and raffle. Tickets cost $125 per person ($60 tax-deductible) or $250 per person for a VIP ticket.
Beneficiaries for this year’s gala include the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at TMC For Children, Assistance League of Tucson, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona and Courtney’s Courage.
Location: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.
For more information, check out their website.
Star Wars-themed '80s Dance Party
Surly Wench Pub is taking its typical '80s dance party and adding a Star Wars twist from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on May 4. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best Star Wars outfits and cosplay.
The cover charge is $5.
Location: Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave.
For more information, visit their event page.
May the Rave be with You EDM Dance Party
DJs from Tucson and Phoenix are heading to Solar Culture from 10 p.m. May 4 to 3 a.m. May 5 to celebrate May the Fourth with a Star Wars-themed EDM dance party.
Tickets cost $20. Star Wars outfits and costumes are encouraged. Plus, you could win a lightsaber at midnight!
Location: Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave.
For more information, check out their event page.
Food + bar specials 🍻
Kris Fernandez-Carr, bartender, works behind the bar at Highwire Lounge, 14 S. Arizona Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., April 22, 2021. Popular shots served at Highwire Lounge are their pearl shots which come in two flavors, the Mexican Candy and Pop Rocks.
Star Wars trivia night
Celebrate May the Fourth early! Snakes & Lattes is hosting a Star Wars trivia night from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. The trivia night will cover Star Wars movies and “The Mandalorian” series.
Tickets start at $8 for solo players and go up to $64 for a table of eight.
Location: Snakes & Lattes, 988 E. University Blvd.
For more information, visit their event page.
May the Fourth celebration at The Parish
The Parish is hosting its annual May the Fourth celebration starting at 5 p.m. on May 4.
The celebration will include Star Wars-themed bites and cocktails in character tiki cups, Star Wars trivia, a costume contest and a raffle benefiting nonprofit Taking Up Space, which is dedicated to helping Indigenous girls embrace their passion for STEM. Reservations are recommended for this event.
Location: The Parish, 6453 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their website.
May the Fourth Be With You at Corbett’s
Corbett’s is celebrating May the Fourth with special Star Wars-themed drinks from opening to close and a costume contest at 7 p.m. on May 4.
There will also be music from DJ Jason during the day and Sophia Rankin & The Sound throughout the evening.
Location: Corbett's, 340 N. Sixth Ave.
For more information, visit their Instagram page.
May the Fourth Bingo at 1912 Brewing Company
1912 Brewing Company is hosting a Star Wars bingo night from 6-7:45 p.m. on May 2. Prizes will be awarded after each round. Attendees can grab food until 7 p.m. and drinks until 8 p.m.
Star Wars outfits are encouraged!
Location: 1912 Brewing Company, 2045 Forbes Blvd.
For more information, check out their website.
May the Fourth at HighWire Tucson
HighWire Tucson is celebrating May the Fourth from 6-10 p.m. on May 4. The downtown bar will have Star Wars-themed raffles, costume contests, photo ops with characters, specialty cocktails and character mugs.
The event is free to attend.
Location: HighWire Tucson, 30 S. Arizona Ave.
For more information, visit their Instagram page.
May the Fourth Be with You Paint & Sip at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
Elsie’s Canvas is hosting a Star Wars paint-and-sip class from 1-3 p.m. on May 4.
For $45, attendees will receive a 16x20 canvas, all supplies needed for their painting (plus instructions) and a complimentary pint of their choice. Plus, a donation will be given to The Drop Dance Studio from ticket sales.
Location: Crooked Tooth Brewing Co., 228 E. Sixth St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Star Wars-themed drink at Espressoul Cafe
Espressoul Cafe has been hinting at a new Star Wars-themed drink for May the Fourth on their Instagram Stories.
This mobile coffee truck will be at Di Luna Candles + Goods from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4.
Location: Di Luna Candles + Goods, 3061 N. Campbell Ave.
Check out Espressoul’s Instagram page for the latest updates.
Crafts, sales and more 🛍️
Tucson Games and Gadgets which now hosts the game bar Short Rest Tavern at the Tucson Mall, on Oct. 3, 2020.
May the Fourth “Crafternoon” at Quincie Douglas Library
The Quincie Douglas Library is hosting a Star Wars-themed crafting event from 2:30-4 p.m. on May 4. This family-friendly event is perfect for kids and teens.
Snacks and goodies will be provided at the event, too!
Location: Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St.
For more information, visit their website.
The Fourth Awakens Star Wars Day sale at Bookmans
Bookmans is celebrating Star Wars Day with a special sale: Buy three items, get the fourth free!
There will also be giveaways, kids activities, cosplayers and more at their locations.
Location: 6230 E. Speedway, 4841 N. Stone Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Photo op with Star Wars characters at Tucson Games and Gadgets
Find Stormtroopers and more when members of the 501st Legion’s Dune Sea Garrison make an appearance at Tucson Games and Gadgets from 5-7 p.m. on May 4 at their Tucson Mall location.
Attendees can also grab a drink from the Short Rest Tavern in the back of the shop.
Location: Tucson Games and Gadgets, 4500 N. Oracle Road
For more information, visit their website.
Star Wars Day + Free Comic Book Day at The Collectors’ Territory
Harley’s Toys and Comics is hosting a dual event in celebration of Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day on May 4.
Expect free comics and special sales in honor of the geeky holidays.
Location: The Collectors' Territory, 330 E. Seventh St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
May the Fourth Lego event at Bricks and Minifigs
Bricks and Minifigs Tucson is celebrating Star Wars Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 4 with deals on Star Wars items, a raffle and face painting.
There will also be a Star Wars character meet-and-greet from 10 a.m. to noon.
Location: Bricks and Minifigs, 6145 E. Broadway
For more information, visit their Instagram page.
Explore nature through fun, hands-on exhibits at Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul
CMOV@TC has indoor and outdoor exhibits with daily activities and programming for kids and families that mesh with the environmental focus of Tohono Chul, teaching all about the culture, animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert!
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