This article was written by Benjamin W. – Guest Contributor Writer. Reviewed and edited by Toys N Bricks.
If you’re excited for this year’s May 4th LEGO Star Wars lineup to drop (2025), you’re not alone. LEGO and Star Wars are giving us several really great sets to add to our collections, and we couldn’t be happier. We think you’ll like them, too!
That said, if you’ve missed any of the iconic sets from past May 4th events, it might be a good time to see some highlights. Here are a few of our favorite LEGO Star Wars May 4th event releases from previous years.
If you are looking for a fun LEGO Star Wars Building Contest, then be sure to enter the Toys N Bricks LEGO Star Wars Micro Building Contest – May the 4th Be With You (April 1 to May 31, 2025). There are some pretty awesome LEGO prizes and it’s free to enter.
Tip: Subscribe to the free Toysnbricks newsletter subscription. You’ll get LEGO news, new product updates, sales & deals updates, creations and reviews right in your inbox. Be sure to also join in for LEGO discussions at Toysnbricksforum.com. (:
May the 4th Star Wars LEGO Sets Through Time (1999-2024)
Support Toys N Bricks
Before we continue further with the article, we like to mention that if you like the work that Toys N Bricks does, you can always support us by buying LEGO and other products from these merchant links: LEGO Shop at Home (USA | Canada | UK | Australia), Amazon.com USA, Amazon.ca Canada and Amazon.co.uk UK.
Disclosure Integrity & Transparency: As a LEGO Affiliate, Toys N Bricks earns from qualifying purchases made at LEGO. Toys N Bricks is a participant of the Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk Associates program which provides advertising fees for sites. As an Amazon Associate, Toys N Bricks earns from qualifying purchases.
How It All Got Started
The first LEGO Star Wars sets were released in 1999, and with them came the May 4th event, which has been increasing in popularity ever since. The event started as a fun little nod to fans and has since become a major collector-centered ‘holiday’ that fans look forward to all year.
Here’s a look back in time at some of LEGO’s most popular May 4th releases.
2009
The first May 4th LEGO Star Wars event happened in 2009. It was not an official event, but it is an important point in history for serious collectors. This was the year that LEGO decided to celebrate May 4th by randomly inserting Chrome Darth Vader minifigures into Star Wars LEGO sets. Instead of using a tiered gift-with-purchase approach like they do now, LEGO decided to surprise 10,000 fans with the celebratory gifts.
- Collector Notes: Today, the Chrome Darth Vader minifigure sells for over $100.
2010
In 2010, LEGO continued the Chrome minifigure ‘tradition,’ but this time it was the Chrome Stormtrooper. This was also the year that LEGO began offering discounts on LEGO Star Wars sets.
- Collector Notes: Chrome Stormtroopers from this event are even harder to find than the Chrome Darth Vader, and new examples sell for around $150.
2011
The May 4th event in 2011 gave fans another exclusive minifigure, the Shadow ARF Trooper, only this time it was from The Clone Wars. This was the first year that the promotional minifigure was added as a GWP (Gift With Purchase). In addition to the minifig, LEGO also released posters that are still loved today.
- Collector Notes: Collectors especially like the Shadow ARF Trooper because it has never been released in a set. Today, it goes for around $60 if it is in mint condition.
2012
Many would consider 2012 the first real May 4th event, because LEGO Star Wars gave us a flagship set to mark the occasion.
We received the first rendition of R2-D2 (10225), and it has over 2,000 pieces. It is also over a foot tall and has many unique pieces. In addition to the buildable droid, LEGO gave us another minifigure as a GWP: the TC-14 protocol droid.
- Collector Notes: Both of these sets are now collector’s items.
2013
In 2013, LEGO released another major UCS set. This time, it was the Red Five X-Wing (10240), but it came a little too late for the May 4th event. Still, fans knew it was coming, and there was plenty of buzz around it during the event.
In early May, fans received another promotional minifigure, Hoth Han Solo, which is now a collector’s item.
- Collector Notes: Fans like this upgraded version of the Red Five X-Wing better than the set released in 2000. It has more intricate design work and looks better as a display piece.
2014
The 2014 May 4th event was another great year for LEGO Star Wars fans. We got another very large Star Wars set, the Sandcrawler (75059), as well as a GWP minifigure with connections to Star Wars Legends.
- Collector Notes: The Darth Revan is still considered to be one of the most sought-after minifigures. It often sells for more than $300, and the Sandcrawler set sells for more than $750.
2015
The next year, in 2015, LEGO released the TIE Fighter (75095) and the GWP minifig, Admiral Yularen. The TIE fighter is a popular mid-sized build that gives fans (14+) an engaging set that is fun to build and looks great on the display shelf. This set (and many others on this list) is retired, but you can still buy it for about $500 on the secondary market.
- Collector Notes: The symmetry and size of the TIE Fighter make it a prized item among collectors.
2016
In 2016, LEGO Star Wars fans got something a little different. Instead of a large UCS build or iconic starship, they got Assault on Hoth (75098). The set is more of a multi-structure playset than a distinctive build, making this one of the event’s most playable releases. The GWP minifig that came with this set was the First Order Stormtrooper.
- Collector Notes: Assault on Hoth is worth nearly $1,000 on the secondary market now, and that is because it comes with so many exclusive pieces that you won’t find anywhere else.
2017
Due to a lot of feedback from fans, LEGO returned to display sets in 2017. Along with a GWP buildable R2-D2 polybag (30611), LEGO gave fans a new version of the Snowspeeder (75144), complete with display stand and informational plaque.
- Collector Notes: One thing that collectors still praise this set for is the accuracy and attention to detail. It sells for around $671 on the secondary market.
2018
In 2018, we received another mid-range (14+) UCS starship and another buildable droid in a polybag as our GWP. The starship was the Y-Wing Starfighter (75181), and the droid was LEGO Star Wars 40288 BB-8.
- Collector Notes: For collectors, the most interesting part of the 2018 release is that the Y-Wing features some very advanced greebling.
2019
LEGO celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Star Wars partner with an iconic ship, built with playability in mind. The Tantive IV (75244) gave fans an impressive level of intricacy, but it is not a very difficult build. The ship is also attractive as a display piece. The Battle of Hoth – 20th Anniversary Edition buildable polybag GWP is a small display unit.
- Collector Notes: Collectors looking to complete their lineup of ships from Rebels, Rogue One, or the original trilogy should consider picking this ship up.
Shown below is LEGO Star Wars 40333 Battle of Hoth GWP. This is the gift with purchase for the 2019 LEGO Star Wars May the 4th promo.
2020
Continuing the trend of iconic ship releases, LEGO gave us the UCS build of the A-Wing Starfighter (75275). There weren’t as many promotions during this year (pandemic-related slowdowns were far-reaching), but fans did get some exclusive discounts on Star wars sets.
- Collector Notes: The A-Wing was released previously, but this version was much more advanced, and collectors speak highly of its design accuracy and good displayability.
Shown below is LEGO Star Wars 40362 Battle of Endor – 20th Anniversary Edition. This is the May the 4th Star Wars GWP gift with purchase for the 2020 year.
2021
In 2021, LEGO celebrated another important milestone, Lucasfilm’s 50th anniversary. For this May 4th lineup, fans got an updated version of the iconic R2-D2 droid. The 2021 R2-D2 features a large piece count and advanced building techniques. making it a favorite among adult fans looking for high-quality display pieces.
- Collector Notes: Along with the more advanced version of R2-D2, fans got an exclusive tribute tile and plaque detailing the importance of the year.
Shown below is 18+ LEGO Star Wars 75308 R2-D2 Astromech Droid. This set was released in May 2021.
Shown below is LEGO Star Wars 40451 Tatooine Homestead Micro Build. This is the May the 4th Star Wars GWP gift with purchase for the 2021 year.
2022
There were a couple of exciting releases in the 2022 May 4th event, and that is especially true for serious collectors. LEGO released Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder (75341), which was praised by fans for its unique shape and design features. The 2022 event also featured an instant collector’s item with its GWP option. Fans received the Lars Family Homestead Kitchen (40531), which came with the exclusive Aunt Beru minifigure.
- Collector Notes: For collectors, the unique build characteristics of the Landspeeder, the inclusion of Aunt Beru, and the set-specific arm printing on C-3PO make the 2022 May 4th lineup very interesting.
2023
In 2023, we got an updated version of the X-Wing Starfighter (75355), Death Star Plans (40591), a collectible coin, and multiple polybags given out as tiered gifts for VIP Insiders.
- Collector Notes: For many collectors, adding new versions of historic sets means getting a few new features that the old builds didn’t have. In this case, the 2023 UCS update to the 2013 version gave us improved wing function, a printed cockpit, and a brand-new Luke Skywalker minifig design.
Shown below is 18+ LEGO Star Wars 40591 Death Star II GWP. This is the May the 4th Star Wars GWP gift with purchase for the 2023 year.
2024
Last year was a very exciting May 4th event. It marked the LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary, and we received quite a few nice perks as a result. The headliner was the UCS TIE Interceptor (75382), which was a refresh of an older version of the same ship. This new model has more accurate shaping and more advanced building techniques.
We also got one of the best GWP offerings we’ve ever seen in these releases: the Trade Federation Troop Carrier (40686), which features several battle droids that can be added to larger war scenes.
Collector Notes: There were many exclusive collector’s items released in the 2024 May 4th event. One of particular note, though, is the silver brick built logo that marks the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 May 4th LEGO Star Wars Release
As you can see, May 4th LEGO Star Wars events are the perfect time to pick up exclusive items and some of the best Star Wars sets of the year. The 2025 May 4th lineup is an impressive one, and you can read more about it below:
- May the 4th Be With You In 2025: LEGO Star Wars Release Lineup
- LEGO Star Wars May the 4th 2025 – Nine New Upcoming Sets Revealed
- LEGO Star Wars May the 4th 2025: Promotions, GWP Gift with Purchase, Insider Rewards & Activities
Shown below is 18+ LEGO Star Wars 75409 Jango Fett’s Firespray-Class Starship. This is one of the several new LEGO Star Wars sets that will be releasing on May 1st, 2025.
This article was written by Benjamin W. – Guest Contributor Writer. Reviewed and edited by Toys N Bricks.
For the most up to date LEGO promotions, offers and gift with purchase (GWP) being offered, check the official LEGO store promotional pages links below. They show the current LEGO promotions that are happening at the moment as well as any purchase requirement thresholds.
- US United States – LEGO Shop at Home Promotional Offers Page
- Canada – LEGO Shop at Home Promotional Offers Page
- UK United Kingdom – LEGO Shop at Home Promotional Offers Page
- Australia – LEGO Shop at Home Promotional Offers Page
Shopping for LEGO can be stressful at times with so many different sales and products. If you want LEGO Shopping Tips, we have the LEGO Sales Shopping Tips & Buying LEGO at LEGO Store Resource Article guide as well.
—
Toys N Bricks has lots of other LEGO Resource Articles available at our LEGO Resources Guide Center.
Support the work of Toys N Bricks by buying LEGO from LEGO Shop at Home (USA | Canada | UK | Australia), Amazon.com USA, Amazon.ca Canada and Amazon.co.uk UK.
