"Twas the Night Before Life Day" is a non-canon animated LEGO short released on December 12, 2023 as part of the LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season series.
In an homage to the well-known holiday classic, Yoda recounts the story of R2-D2 ruining a Life Day party thrown by the Emperor aboard the Death Star.
Jedi Master Yoda opens by narrating the story, stating that it took place on the night before Life Day. Imperials gather for a celebration at the second Death Star hosted by the Sith Lords Palpatine and Darth Vader. The Imperials have a gift exchange at the Emperor's throne room. A stormtrooper is delighted to get a toy TIE fighter but the Emperor warns that it is a White bantha swap where the party-goers will have to compete and fight for their presents in accordance with the Sith way.
The Imperials begin fighting for gifts which include lollies and a golden Stormtrooper helmet. Unknown to the Imperials, R2-D2 has infiltrated the second Death Star. Lord Vader opens his gift, which turns out to be a mug celebrating Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine claims the mug as his. Vader refuses and tries to run away but the Emperor levitates it using the Force. However, R2-D2 snatches it away and flees.
Emperor Palpatine orders his stormtroopers to reclaim his mug on pain of death. R2-D2 leads the stormtroopers down the Death Star corridors and escapes through the will of the Force. He flies over a chasm while the pursuing stormtroopers fall. R2-D2 is cornered by Darth Vader, who wants to claim the mug for himself. He draws his lightsaber but R2-D2 blinds him with snow. R2-D2 flees aboard a T-65 X-wing starfighter.
Vader pursues R2-D2 in Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 through the Death Star canyon. Before Vader can shoot R2-D2's X-wing, the droid hurls the mug down the Death Star exhaust port. Vader returns the broken mug to the distraught Emperor, whom Yoda opines gets a taste of his own medicine.