17,115 days ago, Star Wars: A New Hope first hit screens and the Star Wars universe was born. Coincidentally, 17,115 is just enough Galactic credits to pay for transport from Tatooine to Alderaan. Eerie synchronicities aside, today is especially significant for fans in Australia and New Zealand as Westfield and Disney ‘Spark Excitement’ with Star Wars in Westfield destinations with an unforgettable collaboration.

‘Spark Excitement’ with Star Wars promises to transport customers and fans to a galaxy far, far away, with unmissable experiences, activities and events landing in Westfield destinations; including Lightsaber Training sessions, a chance to win one of ten family holidays to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Resort in California, and A Star Wars Experience created exclusively for Westfield.

Customers and fans will also be able to fully immerse themselves in the Star Wars fan universe at a large-scale May the Fourth fan celebration which will be held at Westfield Sydney, Pitt Street Mall. All of the planned activities are designed to offer Westfield customers and Star Wars fans authentic ways to connect with the beloved franchise.

To launch the out-of-this-world campaign, Australian comedian, actor and Star Wars fan Joel Creasey was joined by other Star Wars fans to mark the occasion with a Lightsaber ribbon cutting at Westfield Sydney and an unforgettable fan photo on the observation platform at the top of Sydney Tower Eye, shot by helicopter.

Joel Creasey said:

“It’s beyond exciting to be celebrating the arrival of Star Wars at Westfield! I’m a proud lifelong fan of the greatest franchise in the galaxy, and my parents even met as extras on the set of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’.

Their love of the Star Wars universe and memories of the film played a huge part in driving me to work in this industry so I’m thrilled to celebrating with other fans today at our Lightsaber ribbon cutting today. There’s so much fun to be had at Westfield in the next few weeks including Lightsaber Training and A Star Wars Experience, along with plenty of activities for the young Padawans over the school holidays too – Chewie, we’re home!”

• LIGHTSABER TRAINING
  Lightsaber Training is currently live at Westfield Knox in Melbourne, where Padawans of all ages can learn what it takes to become a powerful Jedi Knight. Taught by an official Jedi Master, students will learn the way of the Lightsaber, accompanied by different offensive, blocking and trickery techniques. Following Westfield Knox, Lightsaber Training will be landing at Westfield Mt Gravatt (QLD) and then at Westfield Bondi Junction (NSW). Bookings are essential. The booking fees applied will be donated to Make-A-Wish Australia.
• A STAR WARS EXPERIENCE EXCLUSIVE TO WESTFIELD
  Customers and fans can discover A Star Wars Experience, bringing you closer to the epic saga than ever before in select Westfield centres. Travellers are invited aboard an immersive and exciting tour of the planet Batuu, found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in California, where they can explore a remote outpost on the edge of the galaxy. This world-first event is exclusive to select Westfield centres in Australia and New Zealand. Customers can also go in the draw to win 1 of 10 family holidays to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in California, thanks to Westfield, Disney, and Flight Centre.
• SPARK STATIONS
  If becoming a certified Jedi Knight and touring the planet of Batuu isn’t enough, families are also invited to head into their local Westfield to banish the black hole of school holiday boredom. ‘Spark Stations’ will be popping up at all Westfield centres, offering fun for all ages including Star Wars-inspired face painting, arts and crafts, and even Wookie Cookie decorating.

Westfield General Manager of Marketing and Community Jacqui Waine said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing a slice of the Star Wars universe to Westfield destinations with ‘Spark Excitement.’ Through our unique collaboration with Disney, we’re proud to offer experiences for fans and customers of all ages to celebrate the Star Wars universe. It’s going to be a fantastic couple of months, and we know our customers are going to love it.”

The Walt Disney Company Australia & New Zealand, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Products, Tim Everett said: “We are so thrilled to continue our collaboration with Westfield, sparking excitement, adventure and bringing the Disney magic to their customers and our fans throughout 2024.”

Customers and fans will be invited to join in on a full calendar of events and activations throughout the year which are designed to ‘Spark Joy in the Everyday at Westfield’ in a distinctively Disney way. This spark starts a chain reaction passing from person to person, rippling outwards to friends, families, and communities. In 2024, together with Disney, Westfield will celebrate three beloved Disney franchises: Star Wars, (‘Spark Excitement’), Marvel, (‘Spark Adventure’), and Disney Princess, (‘Spark Magic’).

Extraordinary Disney moments are scheduled throughout the year in Westfield destinations for all ages, commencing with Star Wars ‘Spark Excitement’, featuring world-first, Westfield-exclusive immersive experiences, competitions, Disney retail available via Westfield retail partners, activations, and other unmissable events.