The year 2027 is the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, and the franchise is celebrating in some Death Star-sized ways. The biggest ones are the releases of the brand-new standalone movie, Star Wars: Starfighter, as well as the IMAX re-release of the original film without all the 1997 Special Edition additions. There’s a new season of Ahsoka and even a Star Wars Celebration happening to talk about all of it. But all of it starts in Philadelphia at the Franklin Institute.
That’s where, in February 2027, a brand new exhibit celebrating the history of the franchise opens. It’s called “Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy,” and it’s described as “the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrating the Star Wars galaxy and the only official exhibition during the landmark anniversary year.” (Is that a George Lucas Museum jab? I digress.)
Spread over 18,000 square feet, guests will find “large immersive moments, screen-used artifacts, and an RFID-powered experience” that’ll transport them into a galaxy far, far away. There are “more than 70 artifacts, many of them screen-used and on view for the first time from the Lucasfilm archives, including legendary screen-used pieces such as Darth Maul’s lightsaber and Darth Vader’s costume.”
Grogu, R2-D2, C-3PO, a speeder bike, and props from Andor will also be there.
“Star Wars created a cultural landscape that spans decades and delivers massive, undeniable global appeal,” Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of the Franklin Institute, said in a press release. “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.”
The news breaks this week ahead of a very special panel at San Diego Comic-Con hosted by none other than the voice of Ahsoka Tano herself, Ashley Eckstein. “The Making of Star Wars: The Experience” panel takes place on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 7AB at the San Diego Convention Center.
For more on the exhibit, head to the Franklin Institute’s website.
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