Franklin Institute Announces 2027 Star Wars Immersive Exhibition in Philadelphia

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia revealed that its new permanent exhibition, "Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy," will open in February 2027 to mark the franchise’s 50‑year anniversary. The museum announced that the exhibit will occupy about 1,670 sq m and feature more than 70 screen‑used artifacts, including Darth Vader’s armor, Darth Maul’s lightsaber, a speeder bike, and characters such as Grogu, R2‑D2 and C‑3PO.

Developed in partnership with Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer Products and MDSX, the exhibition will use RFID technology to let visitors choose a light‑side or dark‑side path and experience personalized, interactive galleries. Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of the Franklin Institute, said the exhibit demonstrates "the cultural landscape created by Star Wars over many decades and its enormous global impact." Dan Picard, owner and executive creator‑producer of the experience, added that guests will be able to see how their choices affect the narrative as they move through the museum.