Star Wars Nite

The inaugural event took place on May 3rd, 2018, preceding "Star Wars Day," by one night. It garnered sufficient popularity to warrant a second occurrence on May 9th of the same year. A subsequent Star Wars Nite was initially planned for August 27th, 2020, aligning with the commencement of the Star Wars Celebration convention in Anaheim. However, both the convention and the Nite were called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Star Wars Nite made its comeback on May 3rd, 4th, and 27th, 2022. It returned again in 2023 on May 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 11th as a portion of a month-long celebration dedicated to Star Wars Day. The 2024 version of the event expanded even further, occurring on April 16th, 18th, April 23rd, 25th and 30th, with additional dates scheduled for May 2nd, 7th and 9th.

The 2022 Star Wars Nites featured several entertainment options. The "Celebrate the Nite Fireworks Show," which lit up the sky above Disneyland Park, was the first entertainment of the evening. The March of the First Order show was performed three times throughout the night in Tomorrowland. In this show, Captain Phasma conducted a demonstration with a group of stormtroopers. The Lightsaber Masters show in Fantasyland was also presented three times during the event. Attendees were able to practice lightsaber skills in a guided class as part of this show. A costume showcase took place twice during the night in Main Street, U.S.A., along with a continuous Galactic DJ Party Zone. Additionally, there was a Lightsaber Meet-up event close to the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Numerous photo opportunities were available that night. These included photo ops with a TIE Fighter wing, speeder bikes, a confrontation with a wampa on Hoth, Jakku, a rebel base, the famous trash compactor scene from A New Hope, a mythosaur skull, Jabba the Hutt on his throne, and above the sarlacc pit.

Character meet-and-greets were plentiful. Guests could pose for photos with Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Captain Rex, and the Seventh Sister on Main Street, U.S.A. Guests could see Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes performing on a barge along the Rivers of America in Frontierland. In Critter Country, there was a chance to encounter Ewoks. Fantasyland featured meet-and-greets with Ahsoka Tano, Jawas, Tusken Raiders, R2-D2, and C-3PO. Visitors to Tomorrowland could meet Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Imperial stormtroopers and watch a presentation. Finally, in Galaxy's Edge, guests could meet BB-8, Kylo Ren, Vi Moradi, Chewbacca, and Rey.

Exclusive Star Wars-themed food options were available all over the park. The Crispy Kaadu Cutlet Sandwich at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, the Crispy Kajaka Wrap at Kat Saka's Kettle, the Glazed Tip-Yip Legs at Ronto Roasters, and the Gungan Gooberfish Dip and Sith Scorcher at Oga's Cantina were among the offerings in Galaxy's Edge, and as such, are considered canon.

The 2023 Star Wars Nites expanded upon the previous year's structure, retaining many of the same activities and experiences while introducing a few new ones. The "Celebrate the Nite Fireworks Show" once again illuminated the skies above Disneyland Park. Lightsaber Meetups were increased from one per night in 2022 to three in 2023. The Lightsaber Meetups evolved into a brief interactive performance in which a member of the Resistance led the assembled crowd, teaching them the Resistance's motto, "Ignite the Spark. Light the Fire," and introducing a small group of scouts and special guests Chewbacca and Vi Moradi. First Order stormtroopers quickly apprehended the Resistance member, and stormtroopers FN-3188 and FN-2627 and a First Order officer detained the scouts. Soon after, Rey arrived to save the day, using the Force to disarm the troopers. Rey instructed the gathered crowd to simultaneously ignite their lightsabers with her in defiance of the officer's threats. The Resistance was able to defeat the First Order forces thanks to their combined strength, and the attendees once more lifted their sabers in celebration of their victory. The Lightsaber Masters class, the March of the First Order demonstration, and the continuous Galactic DJ Party Zone on Main Street, U.S.A. also made a comeback. The costume showcase was replaced by the Fleet of Fandom parade, which featured Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed as R2-D2 and BB-8, respectively.

The event also offered a variety of photo opportunities, including the returning mythosaur skull, speeder bikes, Rebel base, and Jabba. Other locations in 2023 included a life-size K-2SO, Boba Fett's Throne, Bo-Katan Kryze's Throne, and Emperor Palpatine's Throne.

The character encounters were comparable to those of 2022, but with a few fresh additions. Guests could once again meet Ezra, Sabine, Rex, and the Seventh Sister on Main Street, U.S.A. Zam Wesell was a new addition in 2023 in Adventureland. BB-8 and C1-10P (Chopper) were in Frontierland. Although it wasn't on the schedule, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes gave six performances on the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe building in Frontierland. In Critter Country, visitors could run into Ewoks, Jawas, and R5-D4. Darth Vader and Maul returned to Tomorrowland, but this year they were joined by Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guard. Guests could also run into R2-D2 with surprise guests Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa as they appeared in A New Hope in walk-throughs. As in 2022, guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge could meet Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Rey, and Vi Moradi. However, in 2023, C-3PO joined the Galaxy's Edge roster, along with the Mandalorian Din Djarin and Grogu. An encounter with Queen Amidala of Naboo in her customary royal makeup was a new addition in 2023. She was accompanied by Anakin Skywalker, a surprise guest, as portrayed in Revenge of the Sith.

The Star Wars Nites in 2023, like those in the prior year, featured a variety of exclusive food items throughout the park that were inspired by Star Wars. The Gomgourd Seed and Ration Cream Noodles and Fried Sakiyan Gwayo with Herb-roasted Topato at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, the Garra Outpost Roll and Blue Bantha with Guava and Dragonberry Rum at Oga's Cantina, a Mossberry Biscuit at Kat Saka's Kettle, and the Ferrixian Spiced Puffer Pig Slider at Ronto Roasters were among the dishes served in Galaxy's Edge and, as a result, are considered canon.

On May 4, 2023, during Star Wars Nite, a meet-and-greet with real-world artist Jeff Granito was established. Granito was the artist behind the Star Wars artwork that was prominently displayed on Star Wars merchandise sold at Disneyland. His art exhibit and autograph session took place in the Disneyana store on Main Street, U.S.A.

The 2024 Star Wars Nites were designed similarly to the years before, but with a few adjustments. The removal of the fireworks show was a significant departure from prior years. Instead, each night featured four rounds of an interactive activity called Choose Your Path. In the Choose Your Path experience, visitors could scan a QR code on various signs throughout the event to show their support for either the light side or the dark side. During the voting periods, Main Street, U.S.A. and Sleeping Beauty Castle were illuminated in one color, red, with the Imperial crest, and the other in blue, with the Rebel Alliance starbird. The DJ hosting the Galactic DJ Party Zone would announce the winning side at the conclusion of each voting period, playing their theme (Imperial March or the Force Theme from the End Title of A New Hope) as the entire Main Street, U.S.A. and the castle were lit in that side's color.

Additional returning entertainment included the Lightsaber Instructional classes in Fantasyland, the March of the First Order in Tomorrowland, performances by Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes on the Rivers of America, and the Lightsaber Meet-up with Rey in Galaxy's Edge. The script for the Lightsaber Meet-up show was slightly altered from 2023 to 2024. The Fans of the Force Costume Cavalcade, which combined aspects of the costume showcase from 2022 and the Fleet of Fandom from 2023, was a new addition in 2024. Participants who wished to display their costumes gathered at the Main Street Train Station and followed Mickey and Minnie's car down Main Street, U.S.A. to Sleeping Beauty Castle for a group photo.

Many photo opportunities also made a comeback, including the mythosaur skull, the thrones of Boba Fett, Bo-Katan, and Palpatine, the speeder bikes, Jabba the Hutt, and the rebel base. A light-side and a dark-side photo opportunity were introduced in 2024. The Jedi crest was featured in the light-side display. A massive postcard from Tatooine was an unlisted photo opportunity.

The character encounters also saw some changes. Ezra, Sabine, Rex, the Seventh Sister, and Zam Wesell were no longer present. However, Hera Syndulla and Fennec Shand could be found in Galaxy's Edge, along with returning characters Ahsoka Tano, C-3PO, Chopper, the Mandalorian, and Grogu. The Jawas and R5-D4 were relocated to Adventureland, but the Ewoks remained in Critter Country. The encounters with BB-8, Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Imperial Stormtroopers, Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guards, Luke, Leia, and R2-D2 remained the same, with the exception that the encounter with Queen Amidala was now a walk-through.

Magic Key holders could obtain a special patch in 2024 with the key art from the event at Mickey's House in Mickey's Toontown. Tony Sherg, a Lucasfilm designer who creates graphics for all Lucasfilm online video content and other projects, created the artwork.

The Tatooine Sun-scorched Tip-Yip with Golden Lichen Grains and Yavin IV Papaya Salad at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, the Caramel-filled Éclair at Kat Saka's Kettle, Blue Milk with Gorg Eggs at the Milk Stand, and Batuu Sea Harvest with Crait Salt Sprinkle, Blue Milk with Rum, and Rancor Teeth Flight at Oga's Cantina were among the foods offered at Galaxy's Edge during Star Wars Nites in 2024, and as such, are considered canon.

Star Wars Nites are slated to return in 2025 as part of the Season of the Force festivities at Disneyland. For 2025, Star Wars Nite is scheduled for April 8, 10, 22, 24, and 29, as well as May 1, 4, and 6.

• Star Wars Nite, Next in the Disneyland After Dark Series, Set for May 3 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Disneyland After Dark Sets Second Star Wars-Themed Event for May 9 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Disneyland After Dark is Back with More 'Nites' of Fan-Favorites for the Winter and Spring 2022 Events on the Disney Parks Blog (backup link)
• Star Wars Nite Returns to Disneyland After Dark in May on StarWars.com (backup link)
• New Details Revealed for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite on the Disney Parks Blog (backup link)
• Star Wars Takes Over the Empire State Building with Product Reveals, a Light Show, and More! on D23.com (backup link)
• Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite on Disney.go.com (backup link)
• Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite 2023 on Disney.com (backup link)
• Disneyland Resort 2025 Event Dates and Details on the Disney Parks Blog (backup link)