Journey through the galaxy and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film that launched the Skywalker Saga with the world premiere of an official exhibition at The Franklin Institute in 2027!
Soon you’ll be able to stare into the blank visage of Darth Vader’s immutable mask, get within inches of Grogu’s adorable fuzzy head, and finally—finally!—find the droids you’re looking for.
Next year, we embark on a journey celebrating the legacy of Star Wars and the power of the Force and fandom when the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes traveling exhibition to date opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ahead of a five-year tour of North America. But today, we took our first steps into that larger world with our first look at exhibit renderings, official key art and other new details during the official panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, is a world premiere exhibition opening at The Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027, as part of the Star Wars 50th anniversary celebration, inviting fans of all ages inside the galaxy’s creation and celebrating the art, innovation, and fandom that have made Star Wars a global phenomenon.
Told through an extraordinary collection of more than 70 artifacts — many of them on view for the first time from Lucasfilm — the exhibit invites you to take a closer look at legendary screen-used pieces including Darth Maul’s lightsaber hilt and Darth Vader’s menacing armor, as well as a selection of fan-favorite aliens, droids, and creatures, including the Mandalorian’s faithful companion Grogu (from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, on digital now), and the droid duo that started it all, R2-D2 and C-3PO. A celebration of the depth and breadth of storytelling in the galaxy far, far away, the exhibition also includes vehicles like a full-sized speeder bike and original props from Andor, the critically-acclaimed and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Disney+ series.
Created by The Franklin Institute, in collaboration with MDSX, Lucasfilm and Disney Consumer Products, Star Wars: The Experience is an all-new exhibition spanning 18,000 square feet of visually rich, interconnected galleries, featuring large immersive moments, screen-used artifacts, and an RFID-powered experience for an interactive, personalized, and cinematic journey into the creative force behind Star Wars.
From sound design and costume creation to fan art and gaming, the exhibition celebrates the intersection of art, innovation, and fandom, showcasing the Star Wars legacy as a mythology that has always been, and will always be, built by dreamers. Celebrating the groundbreaking evolution and innovations of both Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, it charts the path 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 Star Wars a timeless treasure beloved by people around the globe.
"Lucasfilm has always been at the forefront of merging cutting edge technology and limitless storytelling," says Lynwen Brennan, Co-President of Lucasfilm. "In collaboration with The Franklin Institute, we are creating an experience that reflects that very spirit of curiosity and creativity. As we mark the incredible milestone of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, we wanted to develop something truly extraordinary — a space that honors both the visionary pioneers who built this galaxy, and the remarkable fan community at its heart. 'Star Wars: The Experience' is a testament to five decades of innovative storytelling, and we are excited for visitors to immerse themselves in the Star Wars legacy through this new exhibition."
“Star Wars created a cultural landscape that spans decades and delivers massive, undeniable global appeal,” adds 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.”
Enter the Throne Room on Naboo
Official exhibition renderings and key art were unveiled today during the exclusive panel at San Diego Comic-Con, moderated by Ashley Eckstein, actor and the voice of Ahsoka Tano in animated series including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Tales of the Jedi — with panel experts including Matt Martin, Sr. Creative Executive of Franchise Content and Strategy at Lucasfilm; Portia Fontes, Manager of Physical Assets at Lucasfilm; Abby Bysshe, Chief Experience and Strategy Officer at The Franklin Institute; Dan Picard, Creative Officer and Owner of MDSX; and Dave Edmonds, Art Director at MDSX.
Among the highlights discussed were:
Queen Amidala’s Throne Room: Walk the path of Naboo royalty in a room of suspended fabric and projection, surrounded by voices and imagery from Star Wars makers. Along the way, you'll encounter key costumes and design stories that culminate with an audience at Queen Amidala’s throne and a closer look at her regal gown.
Wireframe Worlds: Anchored by a wireframe TIE Fighter, this gallery celebrates the blueprint stage of Star Wars set design. Edge-lit acrylic panels and displayed artifacts showcase early vehicle sketches and design notes that evolved into cinematic icons, while surrounding graphics display diagrams of the many ships that have brought the different sagas to life.
Carbon Freeze Capture: In this dramatic, photo-ready moment, come face-to-face with a full-scale Han Solo in carbonite surrounded by two interactive stations. Make like an ugnaught and fire off your own “carbon freeze” sequence — an unforgettable fusion of storytelling and technology that allows you to step directly into one of cinema’s most iconic scenes. You'll love it. We know.
The Force that Connects Us: Using the latest RFID technology, your journey becomes uniquely personal, shaped by your choices and driven by your Force allegiance. Move throughout the exhibition, experience hidden moments, evolving interactions, and story elements that unfold all around you, culminating in one memorable finale.
50 Years of Star Wars: The exhibition also includes an unprecedented look at 50 years of Star Wars action figure history and creation, featuring more than 100 iconic Star Wars toys, including over 30 rare prototypes, development models, tooling samples, and original design materials, some of which have never been displayed publicly before. This unique showcase reveals how Kenner’s and Hasbro's artistry has evolved alongside the saga itself, from the first Original Trilogy figures to today's premium collectibles, while continuing to introduce new designs inspired by the latest Star Wars stories.
Tickets will go on sale in November for Star Wars: The Experience, which will run from February 13 to September 6, 2027. Following the Philadelphia premiere, the exhibition will launch a five year North American tour.
