Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars, the Force will be felt in Philadelphia.
The world premiere of “Star Wars: The Experience,” an epic journey through the legacy of one of the most popular movie franchises ever, will take over The Franklin Institute starting Feb. 13, 2027.
“Star Wars created a cultural landscape that spans decades and delivers massive, undeniable global appeal,” said Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “Its influence extends far beyond cinema, shaping entertainment, culture, technology, and business, while redefining how stories are created, experienced, and shared across generations. The Franklin Institute is excited to put Philadelphia once again at the center of a major cultural moment with another blockbuster world premiere exhibition in 2027.”
Created by The Franklin Institute in collaboration with MDSX, Lucasfilm and Disney Consumer Products, “Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy,” is the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrating the Star Wars galaxy, and the only official exhibition during the landmark anniversary year.
The all-new exhibition spans 18,000 square feet of visually rich, interconnected galleries, featuring large immersive moments and screen-used artifacts. Expect more than 70 artifacts, many of them screen-used and on view for the first time from the Lucasfilm archives, including legendary screen-used pieces such as Darth Maul’s lightsaber and Darth Vader’s costume. A selection of creatures, droids, and other alien species — including Grogu, R2-D2 and C-3PO — will be visible up close, along with a speeder bike, and original props from Andor.
Star Wars fans can also get into the world with an RFID-powered experience for an interactive, personalized and cinematic journey.
“ ‘Star Wars: The Experience’ represents more than four years of collaboration, creativity, and shared vision with Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products and MDSX,” said Abby Bysshe, chief experience and strategy officer at The Franklin Institute. “Bringing an experience of this scale to life takes an extraordinary amount of dedication and expertise, and together this team has created something we believe will captivate audiences and celebrate the extraordinary and lasting impact of Star Wars.”
Pulling from sound design and costume creation to fan art and gaming, the exhibition will celebrate the intersection of art, innovation and fandom, showcasing how Star Wars has always been, and will always be built by dreamers. It charts the evolution from analog ingenuity to digital reinvention and highlights the voices of early makers and the current global fandom, uncovering the creativity, craftsmanship, and community that make it a timeless treasure.
“This exhibition is an authentic celebration of the ingenuity and pioneering spirit of Star Wars and its cultural impact across decades,” said Dan Picard, owner, and creative director at MDSX. “It places fans inside unique aspects of the Star Wars saga, blending unforgettable moments, behind-the-scenes creativity, and the fandom that continues to shape the galaxy today. That is what makes this exhibition such an exceptional experience, and one we are proud to be part of.”