7 Ideas for 'Star Wars'-Theme Events

"May the Fourth Be With You” is an unofficial holiday that celebrates Star Wars each May 4. In 2014, Crocs chose the day to celebrate the launch of its Star Wars-theme kids' collection. Working with marketing firm Domain, the brand staged a promotion that involved stormtroopers dancing outside of its New York flagship store. Created by the hip-pop duo Scott & Brendo, whose “Stormtropper Secrets” music video was a YouTube hit, the dance started on the street and led into the store. Inside, kids tried on shoes from the new collection.

In 2013, the California Science Center's Discovery Ball had a celestial theme inspired by a space shuttle on display. Centerpieces on some dining tables at the Science Center's ball looked like mini solar systems in glass bowls.

Held in Boston, a 2011 launch party for the book Sex on the Moon had a celestial theme. Moons, stars, and candlelit hanging orbs also decorated the space.

Nerdist and Lucasfilm’s Course of the Force, the Olympic-style lightsaber relay run for charity, returned to Comic-Con for a second go in 2013. The race began at Skywalker Ranch and ended at San Diego to coincide with Comic-Con. The event benefited Make-A-Wish Foundation, and from July 9 to 16 it took over the California coastline, with runners encouraged to be creative and wear their best Star Wars gear.

At the LG Innovators' Ball in Toronto in 2012, motorized solar systems served as centerpieces for the high-top cocktail tables.

In 2008, Food for Thought provided thematic hors d'oeuvres such as Saturn-shaped pigs in a blanket for the Adler Planetarium's Celestial Ball in Chicago.

Held in 2014 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic's annual benefit was dubbed “A Celebration of John Williams: Opening Night Gala Concert.” As a tribute to the film composer, who scored Star Wars, stormtrooper and Darth Vader characters greeted guests at the post-concert dinner.