May the 4th Be With You | A Star Wars Fan's Guide to Pittsburgh

The Force is Strong in the Burgh

There's only one way to start something about Star Wars, so we think this intro looks best as an iconic opening crawl (feel free to cue the music as this plays):

Credit |
Dave DiCello

Star Wars Vending Machine

"Now THIS is Podracing" -Anakin Skywalker

Michael Jordan retired for the second time. Family Guy debuted on Fox. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was published. And Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released in theatres.

Against all odds (and never tell me them), one relic from this film has survived in Pittsburgh, and has quickly become a sort of holy pilgrimage for Star Wars fans. Right beside Pittsburgh Bureau Fire Station 27 is a Pepsi machine still emblazoned with the original graphics from the 1999 release. Lookin' good, Sebulba.

The best part? The Star Wars vending machine in Pittsburgh still works, is kept stocked and even glows at night, making this the perfect photo op for Star Wars day or night.

Music of Star Wars

Celebrate the iconic music of Star Wars with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as the sounds of the Imperial March and Duel of the Fates fill Heinz Hall on this May 4 show.

Fun fact: Legendary composer John Williams is no stranger to our corner of the galaxy, and was here as recently as Dec. 2023 to perform alongside the PSO.

See C-3PO, R2D2 & Return of the Jedi

"Never underestimate a Droid" -Leia Organa

For me, no visit to the Carnegie Science Center is complete until I walk past the Robot Hall of Fame on their lower levels. Tom Servo, the Iron Giant and HAL 9000 are all on display, but the Droids you're looking for are C-3PO and R2D2, who captured our imaginations and provided the comic relief from Star Wars (1977) through the most recent films. If you want to see these droids in action, head over to the Rangos Giant Cinema for a special showing of Return of the Jedi on May 5 starting at 7 p.m.

Ready to explore even deeper into our own solar system? Go on a 300-million-mile (that's less than one parsec) journey to the Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit while you're there and see what our own future could look like settling on another planet. Then, head to the Buhl Planetarium for interstellar programming like a Beginner's Guide to the Universe or the Laser Symphony of the Stars!

Star Wars Night at PNC Park

"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." -Obi-Want Kenobi

The Pirates are always good for Star Wars Night at PNC Park, and 2024's will be even better since it's happening on May 4! The first 20,000 fans will receive a Star Wars themed Mitch Keller bobblehead for the 4:05 p.m. against the Dark Side, I mean, the Colorado Rockies.

This Bar is Out of This World

“Sorry about the mess” - Han Solo

Space Bar in Market Square is the most fun you can have at a cantina outside of Tattooine. Join these expert mixologists in their starship for two Star Wars events that weekend!

On May 4, the cantina will be filled with all manner of Jedi, Sith and creatures from across the galaxy for their May 4th Celebration and Costume Party featuring themed drinks, music and a costume contest. The day after, bring your credits for an interstellar variety show of burlesque, drag and bellydancing aptly titled May the Fierce Be With You.

Play Star Wars Video Games

"Great shot, kid! That was one in a million" -Han Solo

As an elder Millennial, the two main ways I experienced Star Wars growing up was on cable tv and by playing the video games. With the resurgence of retrotainment, barcades in Pittsburgh now make it easy to play these classic games, chucking in quarter after quarter to set the high score just like our ancestors.

To make your life easy, I did the research for you and compiled where you can play Star Wars pinball and arcade games throughout the city. My personal fave is the Star Wars Battle Pod at Barcadia, which lets you control your starfighter and blast the Death Star to pieces with awesome thruster and blaster controls.

  • Mandalorian - Victory Point, Shorty's Pins x Pints, Barcadia, Coop de Ville, Pins Mechanical, Rezzanine eSports, Helicon Brewing
  • Star Wars Battle Pod - Barcadia
  • Star Wars (1992) - Pinball Perfection
  • Star Wars (2017) - Ace's Break Away & Play, Shorty's, Pins Mechanical, Pinball Perfection, Poetry Lounge, Velum Fermentation, Rezzanine eSports, Helicon Brewing
  • Star Wars Episode 1 -Pinball Perfection
  • Star Wars Trilogy (1997) - Pinball Perfection
  • Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Pinball Perfection

Star Wars Murals & Photos

"Wait, I'm just a tourist" -Cassian Andor

Tourism is a-ok as you orbit the 90 neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, with no fear of Stormtroopers spoiling your visit. Artist and muralist Jeremy M. Raymer emblazoned a wall in Lawrenceville with our favorite tiny Jedi and photographer David DiCello went viral when he combined his stunning photos and Star Wars iconography.

From the epic space battles to the lived-in universe that has become the series' trademark, Star Wars has been inspiring artists for generations. You're sure to see space opera themed art at Three Rivers Arts Festival, Art All Night and other great arts festivals as you explore the city.

Pittsburgh Heads to the Stars

In this case, Admiral Ackbar, that is a Moon! Pittsburgh's robotics, tech and aerospace industry has taken center stage in the city as Astrobotic looks to deliver the first of many payloads to our Moon.

Is space tourism on the Moon next? How will we make laws? Who owns what on the Moon? If questions like this fascinate you, make sure to visit Moonshot Museum adjacent to Astrobotic for the answers as well as the ability to watch Griffin, Astrobotic's medium-class lander. be assembled during your visit.

Special Screenings

"This is the Way" -The Mandalorian

The way, to me, is seeing Star Wars as it was meant to be seen. This particular May the Fourth be sure to check your local movie theatres and see what special screenings may be happening that day.

So far, The Oaks Theater is doing a special screening of the 1997 re-release of The Empire Strikes Back on May 4 at 11 a.m. to instantly transport you back to the reveal of Luke's parentage and the most misquoted line in film history. For the megafans among us, Cinemark and other select theatres are doing marathon screenings of all nine films that day.

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Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Senior Manager, Content Development

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.

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