If Life Day is the holiday you choose to observe each holiday season, you’re in luck, as several new merchandise items will soon be released in celebration of the generations-old Wookiee tradition. New clothing and collectible items will become available at both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World Resort and on several online retailers on November 17, the date that Life Day is annually observed.
Disney Previews Life Day 2023 Celebrations
In “Star Wars” canon, Life Day is a longstanding Wookiee holiday that has been adopted by several species and cultures; StarWars.com describes it as a celebration of “freedom, harmony, and peace, no matter how different people may appear.” The concept was introduced in the “Star Wars Holiday Special” a television broadcast featuring characters from the original “Star Wars” trilogy that aired on November 17, 1978.
Disney has celebrated Life Day on November 17 for the past several years, releasing holiday-centric merchandise and introducing Life Day-inspired food and beverage options at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A new zip-up red hoodie will be released in celebration of Life Day this year; Disney previewed the new sweater in a blog post Wednesday afternoon.
The hoodie is primarily a single shade of red, with a darker red accent engulfing the front pocket. An illustration on the left side of the chest features several Wookiees (possibly Chewbacca and his family — Itchy, Malla, and Lumpy) all donning their Life Day robes. They hold a central glowing orb; “Life Day 2023” is printed beneath the image in white type. An illustration of Darth Vader appears on the front pocket.
Chewbacca appears alongside Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, and Boba Fett on the back. Chewbacca again dons his Life Day robe in the illustration. “Life Day 2023” appears above the image, with “It Binds the Galaxy Together” printed below.
Disney also shared a Life Day tank top available for purchase now on the Hot Topic website. The women’s tank is red and features a stylized depiction of Chewbacca in front of the Millennium Falcon; “Peace, Harmony, & Freedom” and “Happy Lifeday” are printed on the shirt. Disney also highlighted a red Life Day fleece throw that will become available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and on shopDisney on November 17; the throw debuted last year.
A Life Day 2023 pin will become available at Disneyland Resort and on shopDisney on November 17, as will a new Han Solo and Chewbacca Life Day Sketchbook ornament. The pin features Chewbacca, Itchy, Malla, and Lumpy in their Life Day robes against a beige background. “Life Day 2023” is printed in red and blue font over their heads.
Blue and red stars surround them.
The ornament places Chewbacca and Han Solo in the forests of Kashyyyk, the Wookiee homeworld. The two stand in front of a red-outlined clear circle that reads “Life Day 2023” at its center. Chewbacca holds a glowing orb.
Disney also previewed a Chewbacca Life Day Funko Pop! bobblehead and a new Chewbacca Life Day figure from Hasbro, writing that the latter item will become available exclusively on shopDisney and at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort on November 17. The Funko Pop! bobblehead debuted last year and the Chewbacca Life Day figure became available for purchase at Keystone Clothiers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios last week. It costs $16.99.
Disney also previewed some of its in-park Life Day celebrations in the post. Artists Brian Kesinger (20+ year career at Walt Disney Studios) and Alex Riegert-Waters (Design Manager at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products) will appear at Star Wars Trading Post and The Star Trader at Disneyland Resort on November 17; they will sign merchandise purchased at Disneyland Resort. Personal items will not be signed.
Disney also highlighted the Life Day spork and exclusive food options that will be available at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park. The following Life Day food and beverage offerings will be available at Disneyland Park from November 17 through January 9, 2024:
- Kashyyyk Cake at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
- Cheesy Blue Orbs at Ronto Roasters
- Life Day Cheese Branch at Kat Saka’s Kettle
- Joh Blastoh Sangria Gocola and Millaflower Toast at Oga’s Cantina
The Life Day orb Disney PhotoPass Magic Shot will also return to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Does any of the recently unveiled Life Day merchandise stick out to you? How do you plan to celebrate Life Day this year? Let us know in the comments.
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