• More More

Search

My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other
  • NEWS + FEATURES
  • VIDEO
  • FILMS
  • SERIES
  • INTERACTIVE
  • COMMUNITY
  • DATABANK
  • DISNEY+
  • More More
My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other

ALL OF YOUR STAR WARS FAVORITES NOW STREAMING ON DISNEY+

All

  • Andor
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Books + Comics
  • Characters + Histories
  • Collecting
  • Creativity
  • Disney Parks
  • Disney+
  • Events
  • Fans + Community
  • Films
  • Force For Change
  • Forces of Destiny
  • Galaxy of Adventures
  • Games + Apps
  • ILMxLAB
  • In Pop Culture
  • Interviews
  • LEGO Star Wars
  • Lucasfilm
  • Merchandise
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Opinions
  • Quizzes + Polls
  • Recipes
  • Rogue One
  • Solo
  • Star Wars Celebration
  • Star Wars Day
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Star Wars Resistance
  • Television
  • The Bad Batch
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • The Clone Wars
  • The Force Awakens
  • The High Republic
  • The Last Jedi
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Rise of Skywalker
  • The Star Wars Show
  • Visions
{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

Star Wars Inside Intel: Holidays of the Galaxy

December 21, 2021
December 21, 2021
Emily Shkoukani

Learn all about the traditions, rituals, and festivals on different worlds.

Star Wars Inside Intel is a StarWars.com feature where Lucasfilm Story Group member Emily Shkoukani, whose job is to know as much about a galaxy far, far away as possible, explores obscure facts about Star Wars lore and continuity. In this installment, Emily gets festive with Star Wars holidays…

Chewie celebrating Life Day

Star Wars fans have been celebrating holidays in a galaxy far, far away since 1978’s The Star Wars Holiday Special, which introduced audiences to Life Day. This Wookiee tradition involves the gathering of family, the dawning of red robes, and the decorating of the Tree of Life. This holiday began on Kashyyyk, but during the Dark Times it expanded to the larger galaxy to give people the hope and compassion they desperately lacked under the Empire’s regime. (We even recognize Life Day in our own galaxy now on November 17, the original air date of the Holiday Special.) While Life Day was arguably the first Star Wars holiday, it was far from the last.

The Empire celebrates Empire Day in Star Wars Rebels Star Wars Rebels Empire Day parade

In contrast to the positive themes of Life Day, Empire Day celebrates the oppressive system’s foundation. Scenes of what this holiday looks like can be found in Star Wars Rebels, where a grim parade showcasing the Empire’s might strolled through Lothal’s capital city. One of Lothal’s citizens, Ezra Bridger, was consistently reminded of the Empire’s lethal grip it had on the galaxy as he grew up on a planet that became a centerpiece for its tyrannical campaign. And to add insult to injury, Ezra shared his birthday with the Empire’s.

Jabba the Hutt during the Boonta Eve Classic Podracers lining up during the Boonta Eve Classic

While Life Day and Empire Day are observed throughout the galaxy, some holidays in Star Wars are celebrated on a much smaller scale, local to just a system or even a planet. On the arid desert world of Tatooine, locals celebrate Boonta Eve. This holiday honors the Hutt, Boonta Hestilic Shad’ruu, and their ascension to godhood. The details regarding Boonta’s becoming were largely unclear and likely rooted in legend, but every year it gives the humble and hard-working citizens of Tatooine the opportunity to have fun. In true Hutt fashion, the day is marked by an exhilarating podrace and the chance for some lucky soul to win the grand prize of the Boonta Eve Classic. And, of course, gambling.

The Aki-Aki Festival of the Ancestors Rey at the Aki-Aki Festival of the Ancestors

Another localized holiday is the Aki-Aki Festival of the Ancestors. Taking place once every 42 years, the natives of Pasaana gather to honor the past and welcome the future. Although most attendees are of the Aki-Aki species, it isn’t uncommon for outsiders and non-natives to observe and join the celebration, seeing how the Aki-Aki know how to throw a party. The Aki-Aki’s festival is thrilling, featuring colored kites, ancestral dances, puppet-theater, delicious food, and so much more. It really was lucky of Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, and C-3PO to stumble upon such a rare celebration!

Check back bi-weekly to learn something new about the Star Wars galaxy -- and happy holidays!

Emily Shkoukani is a jr. creative executive at Lucasfilm who helps to maintain the lore and continuity of the Star Wars galaxy. And sometimes, they write for StarWars.com!

Site tags: #StarWarsBlog

star wars holidays Star Wars Inside Intel

Related Stories

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

Ships of the Galaxy: The U-Wing

January 10, 2023

January 10, 2023

Jan 10

{:title=>"Lucasfilm", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/lucasfilm"} {:title=>"Collecting", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/collecting"}

From Santa Yoda to Rocket Sleds: Lucasfilm's Star Wars Holiday Cards Through the Years

December 22, 2022

December 22, 2022

Dec 22

{:title=>"Merchandise", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/merchandise"}

Star Wars Holiday Gift Guide 2022

November 21, 2022

November 21, 2022

Nov 21

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

5 Spine-Tingling Sith Moments

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

Oct 31

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

Star Wars Inside Intel: The Ascendant

October 27, 2022

October 27, 2022

Oct 27

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

The Darker Side: An Exploration of the Occult in Star Wars

October 24, 2022

October 24, 2022

Oct 24

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

20 of the Creepiest Star Wars Creatures

October 17, 2022

October 17, 2022

Oct 17

{:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

Star Wars Inside Intel: Bounty Hunters

September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022

Sep 28

More From Star Wars:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • SWKids
  • Terms of Use
  • Additional Content Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Rights
  • Star Wars at shopDisney
  • Star Wars Helpdesk
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved