Top Exhibitions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a treasure trove of exhibitions that attract science and culture enthusiasts from across the globe. 

Philadelphia museums and exhibitions at a glance

• Many Philadelphia museums are located in clusters either in the Parkway Museums District along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or Old City neighborhood. 
• Especially for the Semiquincentennial in 2026, museums are examining the ideals of American democracy and freedom. 
• Two new museums are new to explore in 2026: Calder Gardens and the First Bank of the United States. 
• Museum entries range from free to pay-what-you-wish to paid admission. 

From world-renowned museums to cutting-edge galleries, the city offers a diverse range that caters to every taste. Here are some of the top exhibitions in Philadelphia: 

The Franklin Institute

Neighborhood: Center City & Parkway Museums District
Address: 222 N 20th St. 

‘Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition’

Dates: Through September 7, 2026 

This groundbreaking world premiere exhibition at The Franklin Institute offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into the creative and innovative world of themed entertainment through the lens of Universal’s fan-favorite attractions. The exhibit chronicles the major milestones of Universal Destinations & Experiences—spanning from the historic origins of the Studio Tram Tour to the groundbreaking new Epic Universe theme park. Visitors will explore original artwork, detailed models, authentic replicas, and immersive interactive elements. Additionally, the exhibition spotlights the diverse career paths within the industry and the visionary individuals driving the future of themed entertainment. 

Star Wars: The Experience

Dates: Opens February 13, 2027

Embark on a journey through a “galaxy far, far away” when the world premiere of Star Wars: The Experience lands at The Franklin Institute in 2027. Spanning 18,000 square feet, this “Journey Through the Galaxy” blockbuster will make its highly anticipated debut in Philadelphia. The exhibition celebrates the Star Wars franchise’s 50th anniversary with over 70 iconic, screen-used artifacts, including Darth Vader’s armor and Darth Maul’s lightsaber. You can stand face-to-face with legendary droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, and even catch a glimpse of the beloved Grogu. Created in collaboration with Lucasfilm, MDSX, and Disney Consumer Products, the highly immersive experience brings the saga’s legendary props, costumes, and sets up close to fans of all ages.

Philadelphia Museum of Art  

Neighborhood: Parkway Museums District
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy 

‘A Nation of Artists’

Dates: Through July 5, 2027 

Celebrating the “richness and diversity of American art,” A Nation of Artists offers a rare public look at more than 120 Masterpieces on loan from the private Middleton Family Collection. Presented in a landmark partnership between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), this expansive exhibition charts the evolution of American creativity over three centuries. Across both iconic campuses, visitors can explore a stunning array of over 1,000 works spanning early American portraiture and modern masterpieces. Legendary figures like Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Charles Willson Peale, Horace Pippin, and Mark Rothko are displayed alongside vital, historically underrepresented, Indigenous, and African American voices. 

‘Workshop of the World: Arts & Crafts in Philadelphia’

Dates: Through October 11, 2026

In tandem with America’s Semiquincentennial, the Philadelphia Museum of Art marks 150 years since its founding at the 1876 Centennial Exposition by placing local artisans in the spotlight. Workshop of the World: Arts & Crafts in Philadelphia highlights creative innovations as Philadelphia’s artists, architects, and manufacturers responded to rapid urban industrialization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Featuring works from historic craft-based communities across the nearby countryside — including Bryn Athyn, New Hope, and Rose Valley — the exhibition explores how the beauty and spirit of handmade design continue to resonate today.

‘Van Gogh’s Sunflowers’

Dates: Opens June 6, 2026 

Promising to be “A Symphony in Blue and Yellow,” this highly anticipated installation brings together two of Vincent van Gogh’s most celebrated masterpieces. The museum’s own iconic January 1889 Sunflowers canvas will be displayed with its predecessor: the August 1888 iteration, generously on loan from the National Gallery in London. This intimate presentation offers an unparalleled, side-by-side opportunity to examine the subtle differences, expressive brushwork, and revolutionary color techniques the legendary artist used to bring these vibrant still lifes to life. 

Barnes Foundation

Neighborhood: Fairmount & Parkway Museums District
Address: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway  

‘Just Us’

Dates: Through October 12, 2026

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, The Barnes Foundation presents Just Us, an exhibition featuring original artwork created by men incarcerated at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Phoenix—a maximum-security facility in the Philadelphia countryside—alongside justice-impacted young adults from Mural Arts Philadelphia’s restorative justice program (Rec Crew). The showcase highlights the distinct perspectives and lived experiences of these artists, offering a reflection on the broader American experience while inspiring visitors to imagine a more equitable future.

‘Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust’

Dates: Through January 18, 2027

Also mounted in honor of the Semiquincentennial, celebrated Native American artist Sky Hopinka was commissioned to create Red Metal Dust, a site-specific installation designed exclusively for the museum’s Annenberg Court. Consisting of 11 striking panels, the meditative landscape series thoughtfully interrogates Indigenous homelands and broader American histories. Access to the Annenberg Court to view Red Metal Dust is free and open to the public.  

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 101 S Independence Mall E 

‘The First Salute’

Dates: Through April 2027

Part Pirates of the Caribbean, part Hamilton, the latest exhibition at The Weitzman explores the pivotal role the 18th-century Jewish community on the Dutch island of St. Eustatius played in the American Revolution. “The First Salute“ brings to life a legendary but often-overlooked moment from 1776, when a daring cannon salute to a U.S. naval ship marked the first time a foreign power formally recognized the sovereignty of the United States. This special America 250 exhibit reveals how this tiny Caribbean outpost became a vital lifeline for the Continental Army, proving that the scales of the Revolution were tipped in the most unexpected of places. 

National Constitution Center

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 525 Arch Street 

‘America’s Founding’

Dates: Permanent collection 

The nation’s 250th birthday is a monumental milestone for the National Constitution Center. The Old City institution’s newest permanent exhibit, America’s Founding, offers a dynamic, interactive exploration of the Revolution and the creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Visitors have a rare opportunity to view early foundational documents up close, including an original printing of the Articles of Confederation and a rare first official printing of the U.S. Constitution. 

‘Governing the Nation’

Dates: Permanent collection

Another permanent addition to the museum’s lineup, Governing the Nation, explores how power in the United States is balanced and shared among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Through immersive historical artifacts and interactive, hands-on experiences, visitors can step directly into defining constitutional moments that continue to shape American democracy. 

Museum of the American Revolution

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 101 S 3rd St. 

‘The Declaration’s Journey’

Dates: Through January 3, 2027 

To mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Museum of the American Revolution presents The Declaration’s Journey, exploring the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence. This exhibition highlights how the Declaration’s ideals have shaped independence movements in other nations, becoming one of history’s most influential political documents. Featuring rare documents, artwork, and artifacts , The Declaration’s Journey offers an in-depth look at its legacy. 

Loyalists: Americans Against the Revolution

Dates: November 6, 2027, to September 4, 2028

Not everyone living in Philadelphia during the American Revolution supported separating from Britain. The Museum of the American Revolution presents Loyalists: Americans Against the Revolution , the first major U.S.-based exhibition in nearly five decades to examine the complex stories of those who remained loyal to the Crown and how the fight for independence fractured families, communities, and nations. Through compelling artwork, historical documents, maps, and personal artifacts, the immersive exhibition reveals the diverse motivations of Loyalists—from enslaved individuals seeking freedom through the British Army and Native nations fighting to preserve their sovereignty, to displaced families forced to flee their homes and rebuild in Canada.

Please Touch Museum

Neighborhood: Fairmount Park
Address: 4231 Avenue of the Republic 

‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit’

Dates: May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 

The youngest visitors to Philadelphia have a special treat waiting for them at the Please Touch Museum, located in the historic Centennial District of Fairmount Park. Throughout the summer, the beloved PBS character’s world comes to life with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit. This immersive experience invites children to step directly into Daniel’s neighborhood to solve problems, play, and—of course—let their imaginations run wild.  

Character Quest: Building Character Skills Through Play 

Dates: Opening late 2026 

The Please Touch Museum is taking hands-on learning to new heights with Character Quest: Building Character Skills Through Play, a major new permanent exhibit. Debuting as part of the beloved children’s museum’s 50th birthday celebration, the space is designed to foster social-emotional skills, growth mindset, and perseverance in children ages 3 to 8. Thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the heart of this exhibit features a soaring, 20-foot-tall climbing structure. As kids navigate rope swings, slides, and climbing nets, they are encouraged to take healthy risks, build confidence, and practice teamwork in a colorful, supportive environment. 

Rodin Museum

Neighborhood: Fairmount & Parkway Museums District
Address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway 

‘Rodin’s Hands’

Dates: Through January 31, 2027 

Rodin’s Hands highlights the  Auguste Rodin’s mastery in conveying emotion through the sculpting of hands. The exhibition features fifteen bronzes and plasters — many of which are rare or unique to the Philadelphia collection. These join the other masterpieces on view as part of one of the largest Rodin collections outside of Paris.  

Penn Museum

Neighborhood: University City
Address: 3260 South St. 

‘Native North America Gallery’

Dates: Permanent collection 

The Penn Museum collaborated closely with eight Indigenous consulting curators to develop its groundbreaking new Native North America Gallery. Spanning more than 2,000 square feet and featuring over 250 historic and contemporary objects, the interactive exhibition examines the artistic, linguistic, political, and religious self-determination of Native peoples—powerfully demonstrating their enduring story “despite a historic agenda to erase Indigenous identity, culture, and language.” 

Mütter Museum

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 19 S. 22nd St. 

The Philly Killer

Dates: Into 2027 

In the summer of 1976, as America celebrated its Bicentennial, a mysterious “epidemic of the century” erupted during the Pennsylvania American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Within days, dozens of Legionnaires fell gravely ill, and 29 died from a terrifying, unknown respiratory ailment. Now on display at Philadelphia’s historic Mütter Museum, The Philly Killer explores the true story of the Legionella bacterium and its lasting impact on the United States. Through this infamous local outbreak, the exhibition examines how “physical, bureaucratic, and social infrastructures” shape public health—past, present, and future. 

Maguire Art Museum (Saint Joseph’s University)

Neighborhood: Wynnefield
Address: on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University

‘Evolving Freedoms’

Dates: Through December 13, 2026

Exploring the patriotic pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, the Maguire Art Museum at Saint Joseph’s University presents Evolving Freedoms. Featuring works by regional contemporary photographers and printmakers, the exhibition examines how personal, political, and cultural shifts reshape our collective quest for happiness. Through thought-provoking imagery, visitors are invited to challenge and reconsider what freedom truly means as it continues to evolve today.

Woodmere  

Neighborhood: Chestnut Hill
Address: 9201 Germantown Ave. 

Arc of Promise

Dates: Through January 10, 2027 

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Woodmere Art Museum presents a landmark exhibition exploring how Philadelphia’s artists have envisioned “America” as an idea from the 1790s to the present day. Drawing largely from the Chestnut Hill museum’s extensive collection, Arc of Promise is inspired by the philosophy of late, legendary Philadelphia artist Jerry Pinkney. The showcase brings together paintings, sculptures, and works on paper to reflect Pinkney’s core vision: acknowledging “America’s painful histories—slavery, displacement, injustice—while affirming its capacity for renewal.” 

New museums in 2026

Calder Gardens

Neighborhood: Fairmount & Parkway Museums District
Address: 2100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway 

 New to explore, Calder Gardens is dedicated to the work of iconic Philadelphia-born sculptor Alexander Calder. The serene space includes a gallery and gardens, featuring a rotating lineup from 50 years of Calder’s work. 

First Bank of the United States

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 120 S 3rd St

Chartered under the leadership of Alexander Hamilton in 1791, the First Bank of the United States moved into its permanent Old City home in 1797. Following a massive, multi-million-dollar renovation, this national historic landmark is finally open to the public for the first time in 50 years—just in time for America’s Semiquincentennial. The building’s striking blue marble façade gives it a timeless, temple-like grandeur that is hard to match. Once inside, visitors can explore exhibitions that examine the vital impact art and artifacts have had on American history and diplomacy. 

There are plenty of attractions and places to explore in Philadelphia. Check out our discover page for more.