The 50th anniversary of Star Wars is getting the full museum treatment.
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia has unveiled Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy, billed as the official exhibition marking the franchise’s half-century, with its world premiere set for February 13, 2027.
Built over more than four years by the Franklin Institute alongside Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products, and Orlando-based experiential design firm MDSX, the 18,000-square-foot exhibition is being positioned as the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes Star Wars showcase ever assembled.
It is also the only official exhibition tied to the anniversary year.
Star Wars Is Loading Up 2027
For anyone keeping track, this is one more major tentpole in an absolutely stacked 2027 for Lucasfilm.
The anniversary slate already includes the standalone film Star Wars: Starfighter, an IMAX re-release of the original 1977 cut with its Special Edition revisions stripped out, a new season of Ahsoka, and a Star Wars Celebration.
Now the franchise’s official 50th anniversary exhibition is planting its flag ahead of all of it, opening months before the rest of the party really gets started.
The Lucasfilm Vault Is The Main Event
The exhibition promises more than 70 artifacts pulled from the Lucasfilm vault, with many going on public display for the first time. The lineup includes Darth Vader’s costume, Darth Maul’s lightsaber, and a speeder bike.
R2-D2 and C-3PO will also be on hand, along with Grogu and original props from Andor.
But the Franklin Institute is not selling this as a static row of glass cases. The museum is leaning on “large immersive moments” and RFID technology that gives each guest a personalized, interactive path through the galleries.
The Franklin has been here before. It hosted Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination back in 2008. This time, though, the museum is framing the new exhibition as a different animal entirely: bigger in scale, wider in scope, and built around tech that gives every visitor a custom story.
When It Opens And Where It Goes Next
Star Wars: The Experience runs February 13 through September 6, 2027, which means it will be open across May the Fourth.
After that, the exhibition launches a five-year North American tour.
Tickets go on sale in November.
First Look Coming At Comic-Con
The creative team will pull back the curtain at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, during “The Making of Star Wars: The Experience” panel, running 4–5 p.m. PT in Room 7AB.
That is where the first gallery renderings and additional details will be released.
The session will be moderated by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano across The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Tales of the Jedi. Lucasfilm’s Matt Martin and Portia Fontes will be joined by MDSX’s Dan Picard and Dave Edmonds and the Franklin’s Abby Bysshe.
