Annual celebration of the mega-franchise is even better in Las Vegas…
“May the Fourth Be With You!” A clever rephrasing of that famous farewell from the Star Wars franchise has become a yearly pop-culture celebration. STAR WARS DAY, as May 4th is now known, celebrates the intergalactic saga in countless ways, from parties and conventions to movie marathons.
STAR WARS DAY traces back to 1979, and amazingly involves British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (!). Now recognized as an official celebration by STARWARS.COM, STAR WARS DAY has become a global sensation. Retailers roll out everything from commemorative luggage and jackets to special edition vinyl albums of the movie scores.
In Las Vegas, STAR WARS DAY is always bigger and better. Last year, Spiegelworld’s OPM held the ultimate MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU party. The acrobatic comedy production concluded that evening’s performance with a gigantic lightsaber battle. Cast and audience members were armed with the glowing swords, chose a side (Jedi or Sith), and let loose with their best electric-fencing skills:
OPM blasted off for galaxies unknown on December 31st, 2023, but there are still plenty of STAR WARS DAY activities in and around the Las Vegas Strip this year. Here are a few that might get you to dust off your Wookie costume and head out for an evening of fun:
NERD HALEN at Shag Room, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas –
QUEER AS FOLK star and comedian Hal Sparks is the frontman for NERD HALEN, a whacked-out Los Angeles rock group. Their comedic riffs on VAN HALEN are done with a straight face, lending unexpected twists to the traditional tribute band.
NERD HALEN plays from 10 pm until 2 am inside The Shag Room at COMMONS CLUB. There is no cover charge and parking is free. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is located at the corner of Harmon Avenue at 4455 Paradise Road. Click here to make reservations for NERD HALEN.
GALACTIC EMPIRE at Silverton Casino’s Veil Pavillion –
Prolific composer John Williams has scored some of the biggest film franchises in history, from Superman and Harry Potter to Indiana Jones. His music for the Star Wars films is inseparable from its images and is often performed in concert by symphony orchestras.
Silverton Casino brings GALACTIC EMPIRE to Veil Pavilion on May 4th at 8 pm. Known as a “heavy metal cosplay band”, GALACTIC EMPIRE performs the beloved Star Wars themes in its own distinctive style:
Join the galaxy’s foremost progressive technical heavy metal Star Wars cosplay John Williams tribute band as they lay waste to Las Vegas, NV Planet Earth. Prepare for an evening of most impressive heavy metal. There’s no one to stop us this time!
Tickets for GALACTIC EMPIRE start at $35 and can be reserved here. Seats are first-come, first-served. Doors open at 7 pm. Silverton Casino is located at 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Ample parking is free.
LAS VEGAS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL –
The 13th annual Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival began on April 26th at downtown’s WORLD MARKET CENTER EXPO. The festival is designed to “ignite the Force in young minds with hands-on science and tech fun.” It concludes on May 4th with a Giant Expo. Here are the details:
-See robotics demonstrations
-Meet cool animals
-Touch giant fossils discovered right here in Nevada
-Use the technology of the future
-Meet real scientists
-Participate in hands-on activities and experiments
-Enjoy on-stage entertainment including Star Wars-themed interactive demonstrations, Energy Smart theater show, off-axis trampoline show, and science experiments
-And so much more!
Admission to the May 4th Giant Expo is free but requires advance registration, which can be completed here. The event takes place from 10 am to 5 pm. The Expo at WORLD MARKET CENTER is located at 435 S Grand Central Parkway in downtown Las Vegas.
Free parking is available at World Market Center Self-Parking Garage, accessible from W. Symphony Park Ave between Martin Luther King Blvd and S. Grand Central Pkwy. as well as from Bonneville Avenue (via the Charleston/Bonneville/Alta offramp from I-15 Northbound).
Photo via World Market Center Las Vegas
STAR WARS EPISODE ONE: The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Screening –
Love it or hate it, THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) is the official “first” Star Wars movie in a canon that includes three prequels, the original trilogy, and a trio of follow-up films. The Phantom Menace returns to theaters nationwide for at least one week beginning on May 3rd.
Full details on The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary re-release, which includes a sneak peek of the new Disney+ series The Acolyte are available by visiting StarWars.com. For showtimes in and around the Las Vegas Valley, visit Fandango.com by heading here.
Themed Weddings at THE LITTLE VEGAS CHAPEL –
Photo provided by Little Vegas Chapel
The world-famous LITTLE VEGAS CHAPEL celebrates Star Wars Day with ‘YODA One For Me’ and ‘Love Star’ wedding packages.
Priced at $860*, Star Wars Fans looking to join forces can book the ‘Yoda One For Me’ package which includes:
- Star Wars ceremony performed by a Princess Leia Officiant in the Archway Chapel
- Custom Star Wars music
- Roundtrip limousine services from a hotel
- Unity Sand Ceremony (color choice of red, black, blue or yellow)
- Large Star Wars-inspired bouquet and boutonniere
- Professional photography, 25 digital images, 30-minute extended photo session, video recording of ceremony, and more
Photos provided by Little Vegas Chapel
An additional Star Wars-themed ceremony option includes the ‘Love Star’ package priced at $600*. Click here for a complete list of package options. (*Gratuities not included). Couples must call (702) 385-5683 to book a reservation. Valid only May 4, 2024
The Little Vegas Chapel is located at 1330 S 3rd Street near The STRAT Hotel Casino.
VEGAS 411 will update this article with additional events as they come in. Be sure to visit the VEGAS411 Events Calendar to plan your upcoming visit, check out local celebrations, and learn what’s going on in and around Las Vegas day by day, week by week, month by month.