Philadelphia is preparing for a major entertainment attraction as the franklin institute star wars exhibit gets ready to welcome visitors in February 2027. The officially licensed exhibition, titled STAR WARS: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, will make its worldwide debut at The Franklin Institute on February 13, bringing together original movie artifacts, recognizable characters, immersive environments, and interactive technology to celebrate five decades of the legendary science-fiction franchise.
The announcement arrives as Star Wars approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027. Instead of focusing exclusively on movie memorabilia, the new attraction will take visitors behind the scenes to explore the artistic, technical, and creative work responsible for building the galaxy.
Covering approximately 18,000 square feet, the exhibition will feature interconnected galleries and an extensive collection of objects from the Lucasfilm archives. Philadelphia will host the premiere before the production begins a five-year North American touring schedule.
Philadelphia Gets the First Opportunity to Experience the Exhibition
The exhibition is scheduled to open February 13, 2027, and continue through September 6, 2027. Its arrival gives Philadelphia an important role in the franchise’s anniversary celebrations, with the city becoming the first destination to host this international exhibition.
The Franklin Institute is located at 222 North 20th Street, near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City.
The project brings together The Franklin Institute, Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products, and MDSX. Their collaboration combines entertainment history with museum-style storytelling, allowing visitors to understand how the Star Wars universe developed across multiple generations.
The exhibition will examine everything from early conceptual artwork and handmade production techniques to modern digital filmmaking. Its presentation is intended to appeal to movie enthusiasts, families, collectors, and visitors interested in creative technology.
Rare Star Wars Movie Artifacts Take Center Stage
One of the strongest attractions will be a collection of more than 70 artifacts, including important screen-used objects and costumes from the franchise.
Several recognizable pieces are expected to attract particular attention.
Darth Vader’s iconic armor will provide an opportunity to examine the costume design behind one of cinema’s most recognizable villains. Darth Maul’s lightsaber hilt will also be featured, offering fans a closer look at an important prop from the prequel era.
Other featured characters and objects include:
- Grogu from the modern Star Wars television universe.
- R2-D2 and C-3PO, the franchise’s famous droid companions.
- A speeder bike from the Star Wars universe.
- Original production props from Andor.
- Costumes and design materials from different periods of the saga.
Many objects are coming from Lucasfilm’s collection, with some receiving public exhibition for the first time.
For collectors and longtime fans, the opportunity to see authentic production materials in person could become one of the most memorable aspects of the Philadelphia attraction.
Interactive Galleries Bring Famous Movie Moments to Life
The exhibition will not operate like a conventional museum collection. Several galleries are designed to place visitors inside recognizable environments and give them opportunities to participate in the experience.
One major attraction is Carbon Freeze Capture, featuring a full-scale Han Solo figure frozen in carbonite.
Interactive stations will allow guests to recreate the dramatic freezing sequence through a technology-assisted photo experience. The installation combines a recognizable movie moment with visitor participation.
Another gallery, Wireframe Worlds, will explore the design process behind famous spacecraft. A wireframe TIE Fighter will serve as its centerpiece, surrounded by sketches, diagrams, and development materials.
These displays will demonstrate how early illustrations and technical concepts became the spacecraft seen in Star Wars productions.
Queen Amidala’s Throne Room will offer a different type of experience. The gallery will combine suspended fabrics, projections, visual storytelling, and costume displays to explore the artistic decisions behind the character’s appearance.
Her recognizable red gown will be among the featured costume highlights.
Personalized Technology Will Influence the Visitor Journey
Technology will play an important role throughout the exhibition.
The Force Connects Us experience will use radio-frequency identification technology, commonly known as RFID, to create a personalized journey.
Visitors will make choices during their exploration, influencing certain interactions and story elements as they move through the galleries.
Their decisions will help determine how selected experiences unfold, eventually contributing to an individualized finale.
This approach introduces an additional entertainment element beyond simply viewing artifacts. It also reflects how modern exhibition design increasingly combines physical displays with digital participation.
The experience is intended to make each visitor’s journey feel more personal.
A Major Display Celebrates Five Decades of Star Wars Toys
The anniversary celebration will also examine the franchise’s influence on the collectible industry.
A dedicated gallery will showcase more than 100 Star Wars toys, including over 30 rare prototypes, development models, tooling samples, and original design materials.
The collection will highlight the work of Kenner and Hasbro, two companies closely associated with Star Wars merchandise.
Visitors will be able to explore how action figures evolved alongside the movies, from the original trilogy’s early collectibles to contemporary premium products.
Some displayed materials have never been presented publicly before, making this section particularly interesting for collectors and people interested in the history of toy manufacturing.
Ticket Prices and General Admission Details
Public ticket sales begin November 12, 2026. The pricing structure includes several options for visitors, depending on their preferred visiting hours and admission requirements.
The announced ticket prices are:
| Admission Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults, ages 18 and older | $49 |
| Teenagers, ages 13–17 | $45 |
| Children, ages 3–12 | $43 |
| Franklin Institute members | $20 |
| Evening admission | $25 |
| Jedi Council VIP admission | $65 |
| Group adult admission | $30 |
| Group youth admission | $26 |
Children aged two and younger receive free admission.
Daytime tickets are valid during the exhibition’s scheduled 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating hours. These tickets also include general admission to the museum.
Evening admission is available Thursday through Saturday, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The final entry time is 6:30 p.m. Evening tickets cover the special exhibition but do not include access to the museum’s general attractions.
Groups of at least 15 people can access discounted daytime admission.
Visitors should pay attention to the difference between these ticket categories when making reservations because the special exhibition requires its own timed-entry ticket.
Jedi Council VIP Option Offers Additional Benefits
Visitors interested in a more flexible experience can consider the Jedi Council VIP ticket.
Priced at $65, this option includes exclusive exhibition merchandise, come-and-go access during the selected date, and a 20% discount on a Franklin Institute membership.
The VIP option is subject to availability and is not offered on weekends or holidays.
The museum also has a special member preview scheduled for February 12, 2027, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., one day before the public opening.
Admission to this event costs $20 per member. The evening will include exhibition access, a themed photo opportunity, a personalized keepsake activity, and access to the museum’s second floor.
Advance reservations are required because capacity is limited.
What Visitors Should Know Before Planning a Trip
The attraction’s expected popularity makes advance planning important, particularly for visitors traveling from outside Pennsylvania.
Families should consider selecting a suitable timed-entry appointment and allowing additional time to explore the museum’s other attractions when purchasing daytime admission.
The Franklin Institute is accessible through public transportation and offers an attached parking garage for visitors arriving by car.
Guests are welcome to wear Star Wars-themed clothing and costumes. However, full-face masks and real, imitation, toy, or costume weapons are not permitted.
Visitors should also remember that a standard museum admission ticket does not automatically provide access to the special exhibition.
Why the 2027 Exhibition Matters for Star Wars Fans
The upcoming Philadelphia attraction represents more than an anniversary display. It brings together the filmmaking, artistic development, merchandise history, and fan culture that helped Star Wars become a worldwide entertainment phenomenon.
For longtime enthusiasts, original costumes and production objects offer a connection to the films that shaped the franchise. For younger visitors, interactive installations provide an accessible introduction to its characters and creative universe.
The combination of physical artifacts, digital experiences, and historical material also creates opportunities to explore the relationship between entertainment and technology.
The franklin institute star wars exhibit is therefore positioned to become one of Philadelphia’s major cultural attractions during the 2027 anniversary celebrations.
With its world premiere approaching, interest is likely to extend beyond local residents to visitors planning trips around the exhibition’s limited Philadelphia engagement.
Following its September 2027 closing date, the production is scheduled to embark on a five-year North American tour, giving additional audiences an opportunity to experience the exhibition.
For fans hoping to see it in its original Philadelphia setting, the February 13 opening marks the beginning of a particularly significant event in the Star Wars anniversary calendar.