In 1981, a radio adaptation of Star Wars was created and aired on National Public Radio as a component of NPR Playhouse. Below you will find a chronological listing of Star Wars related occurrences during the year 1981.
- January 20th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 46.
- January 23rd – The birthdate of Julia Jones.
- January 23rd – The birthdate of Pepe Larraz.
- January 28th – The birthdate of Elijah Wood.
- Sometime in January – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 142.
- February 9th – The commencement of _The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell _ serial within the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
- February 17th – The birthdate of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
- February 20th – Completion of the initial draft for Star Wars: Episode VI Revenge of the Jedi.
- February 21st – The birthdate of Shauna Macdonald
- February 23rd – The birthdate of Josh Gad.
- February 24th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 47.
- Sometime in February – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 143.
- March 2nd – The birthdate of Bryce Dallas Howard.
- March 2nd – Premiere of Star Wars (radio): the episode "A Wind to Shake the Stars" was broadcast.
- March 9th – Star Wars: The episode "Points of Origin" was broadcast.
- March 16th – Star Wars: The episode "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns" was broadcast.
- March 18th – The birthdate of Paul Davis.
- March 24th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 48.
- March 23rd – Star Wars: The episode "While Giants Mark Time" was broadcast.
- March 30th – Star Wars: The episode "Jedi that Was, Jedi to Be" was broadcast.
- Sometime in March – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 144.
- April 6th – Star Wars: The episode "The Han Solo Solution" was broadcast.
- April 10th – Re-issue of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
- April 13th – Star Wars: The episode "The Millennium Falcon Deal" was broadcast.
- April 19th – The birthdate of Hayden Christensen.
- April 20th – The commencement of _Darth Vader Strikes _ serial within the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
- April 20th – Star Wars: The episode "Death Star's Transit" was broadcast.
- April 21st – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 49.
- April 27th – Star Wars: The episode "Rogues, Rebels and Robots" was broadcast.
- May 4th – Star Wars: The episode "The Luke Skywalker Initiative" was broadcast.
- May 11th – Star Wars: The episode "The Jedi Nexus" was broadcast.
- May 18th – Star Wars: The episode "The Case for Rebellion" was broadcast.
- May 19th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 50.
- May 25th – Conclusion of Star Wars (radio); the episode "Force and Counterforce" was broadcast.
- May 28th – The birthdate of Laura Bailey.
- Sometime in May – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 145.
- June 9th – The birthdate of Natalie Portman.
- June 16th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 51.
- Sometime in June – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 146.
- July 15th – The birthdate of Amanda Lucas.
- July 21st – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 52.
- July 27th – The commencement of _The Serpent Masters _ serial within the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
- July 31st – Re-issue of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
- Sometime in July – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 147.
- August 3rd – The birthdate of Travis Willingham.
- August 18th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 53.
- Sometime in August – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 148.
- September 1st – IP and licensing rights to Star Wars from 20th Century Fox's, excluding A New Hope 's copyright, returned to Lucasfilm Ltd.
- September 7th – The birthdate of Athena Karkanis.
- September 15th – The birthdate of Ben Schwartz.
- September 22nd – The birthdate of Ashley Eckstein.
- September 22nd – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 54.
- Sometime in September – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 149.
- October 20th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 55.
- Sometime in October – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 150.
- November 2nd – The commencement of _Deadly Reunion _ serial within the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
- November 9th – The birthdate of Natacha Bustos
- November 24th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 56.
- Sometime in November – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 151.
- December 1st – Death of Russ Manning.
- December 5th – The birthdate of Lydia Leonard.
- December 15th – Publication of Star Wars (1977) issue 57.
- Sometime in December – Publication of The Empire Strikes Back Monthly issue 152.
- Death of Eddie Byrne.
- The birthdate of Alex Wyndham.
- The following action figures were released by Kenner: AT-AT Driver, Han Solo Bespin Outfit, Dengar, Ugnaught, Rebel Commander, 2-1B, Lobot, Yoda, Princess Leia Hoth Outfit, Imperial Commander