"Vader's Vacation" is a non-canonical LEGO animated short film that premiered on July 11, 2023. It was created as a part of the LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season collection. Currently, it is unavailable after being taken down from Star Wars Kids.
Palpatine, the Emperor, and Darth Vader walk into a hotel's entrance area. Vader is preoccupied with deciphering a data card containing a list of rebel strongholds, while Palpatine anticipates his long-awaited getaway. Palpatine expresses his displeasure with Vader bringing his work to the hotel, desiring to unwind by the pool. Vader reluctantly follows, pulling his suitcase on wheels through the building.
R2-D2 observes the two Sith Lords and uses a holoprojector to contact Princess Leia Organa. After R2-D2 verifies that the Imperials possess the data card, Organa informs the astromech droid that retrieving the data card before it is deciphered is crucial. Organa instructs R2-D2 to initiate "Operation Bomb a Vacation." R2-D2 then proceeds.
Emperor Palpatine becomes irritated by the abundance of stormtroopers and Imperial officers at the swimming pool. Vader reminds him that he granted these individuals a vacation. Annoyed, Palpatine employs Force lightning to disperse the other Imperials. Palpatine then gets into a yellow duck-shaped inflatable and asks a hesitant Vader to join him. Vader gets onto a pink inflatable and starts decoding the data card. Palpatine complains that Vader is "Lord of the Buzz Kid." R2-D2 conceals himself behind a beach chair.
While en route to the beach planet Niamos on a shuttle, Vader persists in his attempts to decipher the data card. R2-D2 shadows them there. Vader expresses his dislike for the beach planet due to the abundance of sand and seeks refuge beneath a shaded bench. Palpatine urges Vader to set aside his work and unwind. Vader is struck on the head by a football and begins twirling it. Palpatine is delighted that Vader is relaxing. The two of them enjoy activities such as weightlifting, Palpatine receiving a foot massage, obtaining beverages from a KX-series security droid, and participating in surf races.
After numerous attempts, R2-D2 successfully obtains the data card while Vader and Palpatine are relaxing by the beach. He places the data card inside his dome and connects to a network terminal on a starship. A relaxed Palpatine and Vader leave on a shuttle. Later, R2-D2 informs an elated Organa about the successful retrieval of the data card. Organa tells him that he has earned a vacation. R2-D2 also informs Organa that he has rerouted their travel to the icy planet of Hoth.
Palpatine is outraged that they are on Hoth. Upon discovering that the data card is missing, Palpatine accuses him of ruining the vacation and losing the data card. Making matters worse, the two Sith Lords are pursued by a mother wampa and her offspring.
"Vader's Vacation" was made available to the public on July 11, 2023. It marks the first episode of LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season to incorporate spoken dialogue. It is currently unavailable after being taken down from Star Wars Kids.