May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day 2023 meme explained, when is international day, deals, and activities

Star Wars fans are some of the most devoted fans in the world, to the point that they've turned a play on the famous phrase "May the force be with you" into a global celebration of the franchise.

Here's everything you need to know about Star Wars Day 2023, including how to commemorate the occasion at home.

What is Star Wars Day and when is it?

Every year on 4 May, Star Wars Day is commemorated.

Star Wars Day is a day where fans come together to celebrate the Star Wars collection. Additionally, some Star Wars fans take the joke a step farther by participating in extra celebrations on 6 May, dubbed "Revenge of the Sixth" in honour of the 2005 instalment of the Star Wars epic Revenge of the Sith.

What does 'May the 4th be with you' mean - and what's the response?

Star Wars use of the phrase, “May the fourth be with you”, which is a pun based on the iconic Star Wars catchphrase “May the force be with you”.

Characters in the Star Wars universe say this phrase to one another as a way to wish each other good luck.

You can respond by saying 'And also with you' or 'May the force be with us all', although the responses can vary across the Star Wars franchise and fan universe.

When did celebrations for Star Wars day begin?

The first organised celebration of Star Wars Day took place in 2011, at the Toronto Underground Cinema - the day included events such as a trivia game show, a costume contest and tribute films.

In 2013, the Walt Disney Company officially began observing the day with Star Wars themed events and festivities at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

On the official Star Wars website, you'll be able to see a full rundown of exclusive deals that you can take advantage of for Star Wars day.

What are some ways I can celebrate?

There are loads of ways that Star Wars fans can take part in Star Wars Day 2023.

You can watch all of the Star Wars catalogue on Disney+, including the spinoff series The Mandalorian.

Disney+ also boasts some of the more retro Star Wars offerings as well, such as The Story of the Faithful Wookiee, Caravan of Courage and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.

You can also try your hand at making some Star Wars themed food and drinks - there are a number of Star Wars themed recipes on the Star Wars website, such as Blue Milk Mando Macarons, Bad Batch Cookies and Ewok Sushi.

Audio book company Audible has a huge range of Star Wars titles on offer for fans to check out, bringing together amazing voice actors to bring the stories to life - with even some of the cast members from the animated shows returning to lend a voice.

You can try dressing up as your favourite character to celebrate the day as well, with social media such as TikTok elevating the art of cosplay to a new level.

From our sister title PeopleWorld: What colour lightsabers did our favourite Star Wars characters wield throughout the saga?