May the 4th be with you: 5 ways to celebrate Star Wars Day in Philadelphia

It is officially Star Wars Day, and celebrate, Philadelphians will.

Today marks May the 4th, the official holiday for Star Wars fans to celebrate George Lucas' beloved film franchise set in a galaxy far, far away. For those fans, the traditional greeting today is "May the Fourth be with you," playing off the "May the Force be with you" quote from the film.

The pun, however, was actually first reportedly used in 1979 — two years after the first Star Wars film was released — in a British Newspaper ad from the British Conservative Party congratulating Margaret Thatcher for taking office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

"May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations," the ad read, Metro reports.

However, as the Globe and Mail points out, the first official, organized Star Wars Day event on May 4 didn't happen until 2011, when the Toronto Underground Cinema held a themed costume contest and film festival.

Now, the geeky festivities have spread to places all over the world — Philadelphia included. Here, we've rounded up a few area Star Wars Day events for Philly fans to celebrate the holiday.

And remember, as Master Yoda says: "Do. Or do not. There is no try."

» READ MORE: May the 4th Be With You - A Star Wars Burlesque

The folks at Broad St. Burlesque are keeping it geeky for Star Wars Day, but with perhaps a little more nudity than your average celebration. Performers include HoneyTree EvilEye (sex educator and former Philly.com columnist Timaree Schmit), and Flirt Vonnegut (Indy Hall's Adam Teterus), plus music from Wookiedelphia, a Star Wars-themed brass band. True fans may be interested in the $75 VIP "Jedi" tickets, which include front-row seating, a photo with the cast, a signed poster, and a light up tri-saber.

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq., $40 to $75, starwarsshow.eventbrite.com.

» READ MORE: Star Wars Day with Saint Benjamin Brewing Co.

In addition to Star Wars Day, it is also Saint Benjamin's birthday week, and the brewery will celebrate both on Thursday with a movie night screening of Rogue One at 9 p.m. Plus, the Saint Benjamin's crew will have $4 Star Wars-themed drinks available — Bantha Milk included, as a Facebook posting notes. Plus, the brewery will have its newly released pounders of Bicentennial ale. It's all going down in the brewery's taproom, which you can think of a Philly's own Mos Eisley Cantina. Only with way better drinks, and far less random violence.

4 p.m. Thursday, Saint Benjamin Brewing Co., 1710 N. 5th St., pay-as-you-go, stbenjaminbrewing.com.

» READ MORE: Star Wars movie night at the Schmidt's Commons

If Rogue One is a little too new for you, keep it classic at the Schmidt's Commons. Following a Philly Tech Week block party, true geekdom will take over the courtyard with a screening of Star War: Episode IV - A New Hope, the 1977 original that started it all. Crabby's Café and Gunners Run will provide food and drink specials. Organizers recommend that attendees "BYOC" (Bring Your Own Chair), but leave the lightsabers at home.

8 p.m Thursday, The Schmidt's Commons, 1001 N. 2nd St., free, theschmidtscommons.com.

» READ MORE: May the 4th Be With You at NextFab

Star Wars may have taken place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but that doesn't mean we should let scientific inaccuracies in the film slide — and NextFab definitely won't. The crew at NextFab will host a night of geekery investigating Star Wars' scientific shortcomings, and lead attendees through the assembly of their very own wooden, laser cut Star Wars models. It might sound like a lot of work, but don't worry — there will be Star Wars-themed snacks.

6 p.m. Thursday, NextFab, 1227 N. 4th St., free, nextfab.com.

» READ MORE: Star Wars tiki drinks at The Upstairs Bar

Like most holidays, we can use May the 4th as an excuse to get trashed — and use it we will, even if Tiki drinks don't have much to do with Star Wars. Barmen extraordinaire Brian Maxwell and Ian Adamczky will treat guests to an evening of Star Wars-themed Tiki cocktails. Maxwell even teased one on Instagram called "Bent My Wookie," which consists of Appleton Signature rum, Brugal dry rum, Aperol, and herbal liqueur Bénédictine served in a Chewbacca cup. Admit it, getting drunk with a Wookie sounds fun.

6 p.m. Thursday, The Upstairs Bar, 112 S. 18th St., pay-as-you-go, thefranklinbar.com.