Star Wars: The Experience Debuts in Philly This Winter — Here's What to Expect

What Can I See at Star Wars: The Experience?

Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy  — running from February 13, 2027 through September 6, 2027 — is the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes exhibition ever displayed about the beloved sci-fi movie franchise.

Look for wondrous interconnected galleries featuring immersive moments and RFID-powered experiences, plus deep dives on sound design and costume creation, including a vast collection of more than 70 screen-used artifacts.

  — Rendering courtesy The Franklin Institute

Details and renderings about the new exhibition were teased at San Diego Comic-Con by actress Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars’ animated series.

The main takeaway? This is the closest you’ll ever get to the Star Wars universe without jumping in a starship — or a Zoom with George Lucas.

Movie Props

These on-screen artifacts, all on vivid display for the very first time, possess the power to transport you to a Hollywood movie set. Here are a few to look forward to:

• Darth Maul’s Lightsaber: a double-bladed weapon that ignites crimson-red plasma
• Darth Vader’s Costume: featuring arguably the most famous mask in cinema history
• Characters: fan-favorite droids and creatures like Grogu, R2-D2 and C-3PO
• Speeder Bike: a high-speed hovercraft, similar to the one stolen by Cassian and Luthen in Andor

Queen Amidala's throne room   — Rendering courtesy The Franklin Institute

Interactive Experiences

These immersive rooms allow you to walk in your favorite character’s space boots while personalizing your own intergalactic journey:

• Queen Amidala’s Throne Room: Walk through a room of suspended fabric and projection, surrounded by voices and imagery of Star Wars costume designers, including Queen Amidala’s iconic red gown.
• Wireframe Worlds: This gallery showcases real sketch drawings and blueprints from famous Star Wars movie sets, anchored by a wireframe TIE fighter and diagrams of spaceships and other vehicles.
• Carbon Freeze Capture: Guests can experience a “carbon freeze” sequence and take a photo next to a prop of Han Solo frozen in carbonite, fusing storytelling and technology into a photo-ready moment.
• The Force Connects Us: Personalize your Star Wars journey (via RFID technology) by making personal choices that affect your final outcome, driven by how you align with the Force (the light side or the dark side) and the consequences that accompany that decision.
• 50 Years of Star Wars: Why should kids have all the fun? See more than 90 Star Wars collectible figurines and tooling samples, including at least 20 rare prototypes — some of which are on display for the first time — from Kenner and Hasbro.

Han Solo frozen in carbonite   — Rendering courtesy The Franklin Institute

How Do I Get Tickets?

Philadelphia will be the first stop for Star Wars: The Experience, making it the first time anyone in the world sees it. Mark your calendars!

Tickets go on sale in November 2026, with the exhibition running from February 13, 2027 through September 6, 2027.

Pro tip: Sign up for ticket presale access here.

More on The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute, founded in 1824 and first opened in 1934, houses a variety of science-focused exhibits and core galleries that remain open throughout the year, including:

• Wondrous Spaces: Touch a meteorite that fell to Earth. Design and launch a rocket. Or ponder the mysteries of the universe at this two-story exhibit dedicated to outer space.
• Hamilton Collections Gallery: All aboard the 60000 Baldwin steam locomotive at this expansive showcase of architectural wonders and human achievement.
• Your Brain: Ever wonder how neurons work? Find out how chemicals and brain cells work while exploring the far-reaching implications of neuroscience here.
• SportsZone: Shoot a basketball like LeBron James (welcome to Philly!) or catch a wave on a surfboard simulator by testing the laws of motion.
• Body Odyssey: No trip to The Franklin Institute is complete without seeing the Giant Heart, which is one stop on an immersive journey through the human body.

The 60000 steam locomotive in the Hamilton Collections gallery   — Photo courtesy The Franklin Institute

For more information about Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, plot your course using the button below.