Star Wars Nite is the name of a series of Star Wars-themed events held as part of Disneyland's series of after-hours Disneyland After Dark events. The ticketed event features exclusive themed food items, entertainment and character encounters.
The event was first held on May 3rd, 2018, the night before "Star Wars Day," and proved popular enough for a second to be held on May 9th of that year. A second Star Wars Nite was scheduled for August 27th, 2020 to coincide with the start of the Star Wars Celebration convention to be held in Anaheim, but both events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Star Wars Nite returned on May 3rd, 4th, and 27th, 2022, and then in again in 2023 for May 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 11th as part of a month-long celebration of Star Wars Day. The 2024 event expended further, being held on April 16th, 18th, April 23rd, 25th and 30th, with more scheduled for May 2nd, 7th and 9th.
Star Wars Nites in 2022 had several entertainment events. The earliest entertainment of the night was the "Celebrate the Nite Fireworks Show" in the skies above Disneyland Park. At three points in the evening was the March of the First Order presentation in Tomorrowland. Here, Captain Phasma led a demonstration of a group of stormtroopers. Also three times during the event was the Lightsaber Masters show in Fantasyland. This show allowed guests to practice lightsaber techniques in a guided class. Twice in the night there was a costume showcase in Main Street, U.S.A., as well as a continuous Galactic DJ Party Zone event. The evening also held a Lightsaber Meet-up event near the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
Star Wars Nite 2022 logo
The night also had many photo opportunities. The photo opportunities were with a TIE Fighter wing, speeder bikes, a face-off with a wampa on Hoth, Jakku, a rebel base, the iconic trash compactor scene from A New Hope, a mythosaur skull, Jabba the Hutt on his throne, and above the sarlacc pit.
The evening had tons of character meet-and-greets. On Main Street, U.S.A. guests could take pictures with Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Captain Rex, and the Seventh Sister. In Frontierland guests could encounter Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes playing in a barge along the Rivers of America. Critter Country had an opportunity to meet Ewoks. Fantasyland had meets with Ahsoka Tano, Jawas, Tusken Raiders, R2-D2, and C-3PO. In Tomorrowland, guests could meet and see a presentation by Darth Vader, Darth Maul and Imperial stormtroopers. Finally, in Galaxy's Edge, guests could meet BB-8, Kylo Ren, Vi Moradi, Chewbacca, and Rey.
Across the park, guests could enjoy exclusive Star Wars-themed food offerings. Those in Galaxy's Edge, and thus canon, included 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.
Star Wars Nites in 2023 built upon the framework of the previous year, bringing back many of the events and experiences while adding a few new opportunities. For one, the "Celebrate the Nite Fireworks Show" returned over the skies of Disneyland Park. Lightsaber Meetups were expanded from once per night in 2022 to three times in 2023. The Lightsaber Meetups became a short interactive show where a member of the Resistance led the assembled crowd, teaching them the Resistance motto of "Ignite the Spark. Light the Fire" and introducing a small cadre of scouts and special guests Chewbacca and Vi Moradi. The Resistance member was soon apprehended by First Order stormtroopers, as the scouts were held up by stormtroopers FN-3188 and FN-2627 and a First Order officer. Soon, Rey came to the rescue, using the Force to disarm the troopers. In defiance of the officer's threats, Rey instructed the assembled crowd to simultaneously ignite their lightsabers with her. Their collective strength allowed the Resistance to overtake the First Order forces, and the attendees rose their sabers once again in celebration of their victory. Also returning were the Lightsaber Masters class, the March of the First Order demonstration, and the continuous Galactic DJ Party Zone on Main Street, U.S.A. The costume showcase was replaced by the Fleet of Fandom parade, which featured Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bounding as R2-D2 and BB-8, respectively.
The event also featured many photo opportunities, including the returning mythosaur skull, speeder bikes, Rebel base, and Jabba. Other spots in 2023 included a life-size K-2SO, Boba Fett's Throne, Bo-Katan Kryze's Throne, and Emperor Palpatine's Throne.
Character encounters were similar to 2022, but with a few new additions. On Main Street, U.S.A., guests could again encounter Ezra, Sabine, Rex, and the Seventh Sister. New in 2023 was Zam Wesell in Adventureland. BB-8 and C1-10P (Chopper) were in Frontierland. Though not on the program, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes played six performances on the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe building in Frontierland. In Critter Country, guests could encounter Ewoks, Jawas, and R5-D4. Darth Vader and Maul were once again in Tomorrowland, but they were joined this year by Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guard. In walk-throughs, guests could also encounter R2-D2 with surprise guests Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa as depicted in A New Hope. As in 2022, guests in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge could meet Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Rey, and Vi Moradi. In 2023, however, C-3PO joined the roster in Galaxy's Edge, along with the Mandalorian Din Djarin and Grogu. New in 2023 was an encounter with Queen Amidala of Naboo in her traditional royal makeup. She was joined by surprise guest Anakin Skywalker, as depicted in Revenge of the Sith.
Like the previous year, Star Wars Nites in 2023 offered many exclusive food items across the park inspired by Star Wars. Those that were served in Galaxy's Edge, and therefore canon, included 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.
On the May 4 Star Wars Nite in 2023, an additional meet-and-greet was set up with real-world artist Jeff Granito. Granito had designed Star Wars art pieces which were prominently featured in Star Wars merchandise sold at Disneyland. His art showcase and signing event took place in the Disneyana store on Main Street, U.S.A.
Star Wars Nites in 2024 were similarly modeled to previous years, but with some changes. A major change from previous years was the removal of the fireworks show. Instead, four rounds of an interactive experience known as Choose Your Path occurred each night. In the Choose Your Path experience, guests could can a QR code on various signs throughout the event to show their allegiance for either the light side or dark side. During the voting periods, Main Street, U.S.A. and Sleeping Beauty Castle were lit with one side red, adorned with the Imperial crest, and the other with blue, adorned with the Rebel Alliance starbird. At the end of each voting period, the DJ hosting the Galactic DJ Party Zone would announce the winning side, playing their theme (Imperial March or the Force Theme from the End Title of A New Hope) as all of Main Street, U.S.A. and the castle were lit that side's color.
Other returning entertainment included the Lightsaber Instructional classes in Fantasyland, the March of the First Order in Tomorrowland, Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes performances on the Rivers of America, and the Lightsaber Meet-up with Rey in Galaxy's Edge. The script for the Lightsaber Meet-up show changed slightly from 2023 to 2024. New in 2024 was the Fans of the Force Costume Cavalcade, which combined elements of the costume showcase from 2022 and the Fleet of Fandom in 2023. Participants who wanted to show off their costumes met 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 returned as well, such as the mythosaur skull, the thrones of Boba Fett, Bo-Katan, and Palpatine, the speeder bikes, Jabba the Hutt, and the rebel base. New in 2024 were a light-side and a dark-side photo opportunity. The light-side display was of the Jedi crest. An unlisted photo opportunity was of a massive post card from Tatooine.
There were also changes with the character encounters. Ezra, Sabine, Rex, the Seventh Sister, and Zam Wesell were no longer available. 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 moved to Adventureland, but the Ewoks remained in Critter Country. Encounters with BB-8, Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Imperial Stormtroopers, Emperor Palpatine and his Royal Guards, Luke, Leia, and R2-D2 were unchanged, except that now the encounter with Queen Amidala became a walk-through.
In 2024, Magic Key holders could receive a special patch featuring the key art from the event at Mickey's House in Mickey's Toontown. The art was designed by Lucasfilm designer Tony Sherg, who creates graphics for all Lucasfilm online video content and other projects.
Food served at Galaxy's Edge during Star Wars Nites in 2024, and therefore canon, included 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.