The Force is coming to Philadelphia! Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, the official exhibition of the Star Wars 50th anniversary, makes its world premiere at The Franklin Institute on February 13, 2027. And with public tickets going on sale November 12, now is the time to start planning your trip to a galaxy far, far away.
Created by The Franklin Institute in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products and design firm MDSX, the exhibition celebrates 50 years since the original Star Wars arrived in theaters in 1977. It runs through September 6, 2027, and Philadelphia is the only place in the world to see it first.
What’s Inside Star Wars: The Experience
The exhibition spans 18,000 square feet of connected galleries that trace Star Wars from its handcrafted beginnings to today’s digital filmmaking, covering everything from sound design and creature creation to fan art and collectibles. Many of the artifacts were used on screen and are being shown to the public for the first time, including Darth Vader’s costume and Darth Maul’s lightsaber. Fans can also get up close with Grogu, R2-D2 and C-3PO, a speeder bike and original props from Andor.
Guests will also have a personalized journey through the exhibit, powered by RFID technology. Some of the galleries revealed so far include:
- Story in the Stars: A dramatic gallery of suspended ships set against a glowing digital hyperspace tunnel, featuring the Millennium Falcon and other iconic ships from the saga.
- Queen Amidala’s Throne Room: A room of flowing fabric and projections with costumes and design stories, ending at Queen Amidala’s throne and her regal gown.
- Wireframe Worlds: Built around a wireframe TIE fighter, this gallery explores the blueprint stage of Star Wars design with early vehicle sketches and design notes.
- Carbonite Freeze Capture: A full size Han Solo in carbonite prop, plus interactive stations where you can capture your very own carbonite freeze moment.
Tickets and Prices
Franklin Institute members got first access to tickets in October, an email presale followed, and tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, November 12, 2026. Star Wars: The Experience is a timed entry exhibition with its own ticket, separate from general museum admission.
- Daytime tickets (9:30am to 5pm, includes museum admission): $49 adults, $45 teens (13 to 17), $43 children (3 to 12), $20 Franklin Institute members
- Evening tickets (5pm to 8pm, exhibition only, last entry 6:30pm): $25 for all ages, $20 for members
- Jedi Council VIP ticket: $65 ($45 for members) with anytime access on your selected date, an exclusive exhibit pin and 20% off a Franklin Institute membership
- Groups of 15 or more: $30 adults, $26 youth
Children 2 and under are free. VIP tickets are limited each day, so book early if you want that flexibility. Costumes are welcome, but full face masks and any real, fake, toy or costume weapons are not permitted. That means leaving your lightsaber at home!
You can find tickets and full details on The Franklin Institute’s Star Wars: The Experience page.
More Ways to Celebrate 50 Years of Star Wars
The exhibition is just one part of a huge anniversary year. Fans in the UK can hear John Williams’ legendary score performed live with the film at Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert performances in 2027, including a show at The Glasshouse in Gateshead with the Royal Northern Sinfonia on May 9, 2027. And on the big screen, Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter arrives in May 2027, the same weekend the original Star Wars opened 50 years earlier.
Want more Star Wars? Catch up on Marvel’s new Rogue One Darth Vader comic and the Mandalorian and Grogu soundboards on Voicemod.
Would you travel to Philadelphia to see Star Wars: The Experience? Which artifact are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments!
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