There are plenty of exciting and popular fandoms, but few have amassed quite a following like Star Wars, a franchise that appeals to people and dogs of all ages. Remember, the best May 4th is always the one where your doggo gets to celebrate too!

May the Fourth Be With You

Celebrating with Your Dog

Every year, Star Wars fans rally to celebrate May the Fourth on May 4th—find out how to celebrate this holiday in style.

Throughout life, each of us has a funny way of finding fandoms that just resonate with us. Occasionally, we encounter a piece of media that changes us and makes us want to celebrate it again and again. There are plenty of exciting and popular fandoms, but few have amassed quite a following like Star Wars, a franchise that appeals to people and dogs of all ages.

Star Wars Poster celebrating 40 Years since the first film was released.
Over 40 years and the Star Wars universe is still expanding!

To celebrate this day, May the Fourth has become a special day of fun, laughter, and, of course, Star Wars. Let’s explore what you can expect from this day and how you can make it an amazing holiday with your favorite canine companion.

What is the Big Deal with May the Fourth?

Jedi Master Yoda, standing with cane and giving sage advice.
Do or do not. There is no try.

Star Wars is a fan favorite that people have been singing the praises of for generations, and that probably isn’t going anywhere any time soon. If anything, new Star Warsfans keep being born. So, it makes sense that fans would look for new ways to celebrate it—and what better way to celebrate your favorite fandom than with a really nerdy pun?

In Star Wars, there is a prominent phrase—may the force be with you.

The force is a prominent feature in this exciting space saga, and people can’t help but notice that when you say May the fourth, it sounds quite a bit like may the force. Loving every minute of this, people began to use this phrase on the holiday every single year. With time, this unofficial holiday has gained some serious attention.

Why Do People Celebrate May the Fourth?

Bride Jennifer Landa Obsessed With 'Star Wars' Throws Theme Wedding With Touches From a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Photo Credit from abc News and Getty Images.
Jennifer Landa loves Star Wars that it became the theme for her wedding.

Most people celebrate this day because they love Star Wars, but there can be a lot more to it than that. For some, Star Wars symbolizes the power of science fiction and fantasy genres, and they believe that it has paved the way for many great works.

For others, it isn’t just about celebrating one facet of Star Wars, but rather everything Star Wars related. This franchise has exchanged hands throughout the years, and its prominence has given it a spot in almost every form of media. People use this day to celebrate the books, the games, the tv shows, the movies, the toys, the video games, and more.

Can Pets Join in the Fun?

The late, Carrie Fisher had an adorable therapy dog, named Gary. Photo Credit from The Today Show and Getty Images.
The late Carrie Fisher and her wonderful therapy dog Gary.

We firmly believe in a world that encourages dog parents to celebrate as much of life as they can with their canine companions—so of course we think that this is a great holiday for dogs. Just like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving,Star Wars Day has gone to the dogs, and we love it. There are plenty of exciting ways for your favorite dog to celebrate with you on this day, and we believe that including your pup is a guaranteed way to make this holiday even better!

Ways to Celebrate May the Fourth with Your Dog

Several dogs dressed in Star Wars dog costumes, celebrating May the Fourth in style!
The force is strong with these ones.

When you prepare for a celebration of any kind, few things are more important than the company that you decide to celebrate with. Let’s face it, company can make or break an event, sometimes leaving us wishing that we had the perfect company instead, and what company could possibly be better than your dog? They’re always excited to see you, never ruin the vibe, and always bring the utmost enthusiasm.

Let’s explore some of the ways that you can celebrate this holiday with your pup!

Wish Everyone a Happy Star Wars Day

Han Solo... via GIPHY

The real joy of this holiday is walking around and saying may the fourth be with you or may the force be with you to anyone and everyone that you might interact with. Since this is the case, we highly encourage saying it to as many people as possible!

Though your dog might not be able to say it, they can certainly take you on a walk that will have you meet plenty of people to say it to. For maximum fun, head to a public space for a walk. Any time that you greet someone, remember to give them the signature phrase. It’s a lot of fun, and it is guaranteed to get a few laughs.

The best part of this is that it is also an opportunity to get out to walk and get some fresh air. Meeting new people in this way means plenty of exercise and fresh air for you and your canine companion, but it also means getting your dog plenty of pets and scratches along the way. This will make them love the holiday even more!

Watch a Star Wars Marathon

Ewok goodness... via GIPHY

Are you a dog parent that is raising dogs that really just love to lie down and snuggle? Well, this holiday can be absolutely perfect for that. Pups that love watching movies with the family will be overjoyed when you commit to spending your time with them while you watch these movies.

There are several different ways to do this. You can go in order of the movie release dates, in order of the timeline, or even choose to stick with the original or the new options. There are hours and hours of Star Wars content available.

Luminous beings we are... via GIPHY

If you don’t have a ton of time, you can always choose to watch some episodes of one of the many tv shows instead. Of course, if you have a pup that isn’t old enough for all that serious action, you can always watch one of the Lego Star Wars options too!

Dress Up in Cosplay with the Whole Family

Movies and media can be a lot of fun, but sometimes it is even more fun to take something that you love to the next level. Star Wars cosplay options have been prominent at conventions like Comic Con for ages, and there has never been a better time to jump in and try out your very own Star Wars cosplay!

Dressing up like your favorite fandom is always fun, but it is even better in numbers. While you might love being like Hans and going “solo” most of the time, cosplay is one of those things that just gets better with more friends—and not just any friends. We have it on good authority that cosplay gets at least a million times better when you do it with your dog. The amount of adorable dog costumes available is just amazing. They can be Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, or any character you like!

The options available for Star Wars cosplay are notable, and the list is still growing. You can pick any two characters for you and your fluffy bestie to dress up as, and you will have an absolute blast. Whether you choose to use your cosplay for a photoshoot or head out to a fun event, you and your dog will be the talk of the town.

Cosplay is fun, and pets make it better, but there are some considerations for dog parents here. When you put your dog in a costume, make sure that you take the time to ensure that they are comfortable and that they aren’t at risk of overheating. Be sure to check all the tighter parts of their cosplay to ensure maximum comfort!

Eat Star Wars-Themed Treats

Given how many people love this franchise, it’s clear how food ended up on the table. You can’t be a jedi master if you’re hungry, after all. In this case, you can find all kinds of exciting ways to enjoy Star Wars-themed treats and goodies for both you and your dog. Whether you feel like baking or you just want to buy something premade, the options are there.

When celebrating this holiday, it is always a good option to make a cute cake or homemade dog treats using this Death Star Cakelet, which can be used again and again. If you want to give your pup something to enjoy but don’t feel like cleaning up a mess, this Stormtrooper Ice Cream Pop toy by Chewy is a great way to celebrate with your dog.

Stare Up at the Stars Together

Friends star gazing together and celebrating May the Fourth.
The night is full of mystery and legend.

We can all agree that intergalactic space fights are pretty cool, Star Wars also does a good job of reminding us that there is a big, amazing universe out there—and we don’t even know the full extent of it. Sometimes, your favorite space-themed series comes with the realization that the sky is absolutely amazing, and it is pretty incredible to be a part of it. One great way to enjoy this is to head outside with your pup once the sun goes down and look up at the stars. Your canine companion will absolutely love spending a little extra time out at night.

Pro-tip—get away from the city and light pollution to see the stars in all their shining glory. Pups love a good camping trip!

Go to a May the Fourth Event

Celebrate May the Fourth with adorble Boston Terriers: Miley, Howie and Winnie from the popular blog Kevin & Amanda.
Follow the travel adventures of Kevin & Amanda!

The growing popularity of this holiday has made it one that a lot of people are celebrating. We all know what that means—events. Check out your local area to see if anyone will be celebrating May the Fourth with you. You might find a fun outdoor event that you and your pup can enjoy together!

Work on Your Best Chewbacca Impression

Aaaarrrr... via GIPHY

Chewbacca—or Chewie—is known to make one seriously interesting noise, and it can be a lot of fun to copy. For the humans that love being silly and the pups that love making goofy noises, this is one excellent opportunity that is guaranteed to lead to joy and laughs. For added fun, we highly recommend making the Chewbacca sound at your dog just to see what they make of it. You might get a slight head tilt or a full-on bark, but no matter what, you’ll have fun.

Have a Lightsaber Battle

Jedi masters at work... via GIPHY

Lightsabers are without a doubt the coolest thing to come out of the Star Wars franchise, and having an actual lightsaber battle can be a ton of fun. You can enlist the help of a fellow human and have this battle to see how your dog will react or get your dog a stuffed lightsaber of their very own so they can play too. Get your body moving and remember to have fun!

Get Your Dog These Adorable Themed Clothes

Golden Doodle wearing adorable Yoda Dog Costume celebrating May the Fourth.
Cute I am and size matters not!

Celebrating a holiday without the right outfit is always a missed opportunity, so how could you possibly miss out on these adorable holiday outfits for your dog? These outfit options are perfectly comfortable for dogs, and they also bring some big Yoda energy. Or, is it Baby Yoda energy? We’ll let you decide.

Hungry I Am Dog Hoodie

Jack Russell / Rat Terrier standing up wearing the Hungry I Am Feed Me You Must Mocha Dog Hoodie inspired by Yoda from Star Wars from online dog clothing store they made me wear it.
SHOP NOW

Breathable & Warm

DOG HOODIE

This cool hoodie features a slit so you can use your favorite collar or harness underneath.

Most pups are always just waiting for the next moment where a treat will appear—whether it is a snack from their parents or the opportunity to gobble down something they shouldn’t. This hoodie does a great job of showing just how important it is for your dog to get those snacks, and it is seriously adorable too. Dogs want more comfortable hoodies to lounge in, and this one is perfect for the holiday.

Feed Me You Must Dog Tee

Chihuahua sitting down and showing off the back of the awesome Hungry I Am Feed Me You Must Emerald Dog Tee inspired by Yoda from Star Wars from online dog clothing store they made me wear it.
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Cool & Comfy

DOGGY TEE

Made for a Jedi, this t-shirt is perfect for your furbaby and their next Cosplay event.

Every dog has a unique spirit, and they all feel differently about clothing. Some dogs are prone to overheating and prefer the relaxing fit of a t-shirt instead. This adorable shirt is perfect for celebrating this holiday with your pup, but honestly, it’s a year-round kind of shirt too. Your dog will look so cute, beings will hear about it all across the galaxy!

Make the Most of This Holiday!

Adorable Sheldon a Shih Tzu dressed up in Baby Yoda dog costume, celebrating May the Fourth Be With You.
Sheldon is the cutest baby Yoda there ever was.

Every day is worthy of celebration, but some days make it a little more fun. This unofficial holiday keeps popping up year after year, and it seems like people will always look forward to celebrating it. Remember, the best May 4th is always the one where your dog gets to celebrate too!

Until next time, thank you for reading!


About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.