Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition Opens February 14 at The Franklin Institute

Philadelphia is about to become the center of the theme‑park universe. On February 14, 2026, Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition makes its world premiere at The Franklin Institute, bringing a massive celebration of creativity, movie magic, and theme‑park innovation to the heart of the city.

According to The Franklin Institute, this first‑of‑its‑kind experience covers an impressive 18,000 square feet and takes guests deeper into Universal Destinations & Experiences’ storytelling than ever before. If you’ve ever wondered how a T. rex comes alive, how animators design dragons, or how ride engineers mix science with thrills, this exhibition is designed for you.

The exhibit features eight themed galleries, 20 interactive stations, and 100 original artifacts from beloved attractions including Jurassic World, How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters, and more. Reports say the experience highlights everything from animatronics and robotics to ride design, special effects, costuming, and world‑building.

Visitors can step into the action with ride vehicles and props, build their own coasters, program animated figures, create monster masks, and pose with fan‑favorite character costumes like Toothless, Po, Tigress, and Gingy. There will also be plenty of creative, hands‑on moments for guests who love to experience how things work behind the scenes.

Larry Dubinski, President & CEO of The Franklin Institute, says hosting the world premiere during America’s semi‑quincentennial year is “extraordinary” and adds to Philadelphia’s huge 2026 celebration lineup. Abby Bysshe, the museum’s Chief Experience and Strategy Officer, shared that the exhibition showcases “the innovation and imagination behind theme park creation.”

Universal Destinations & Experiences Senior Vice President Gerald Raines also noted that the exhibition honors the talent behind Universal’s “mind‑blowing attractions and experiences.”

Created with award‑winning design firm MDSX and presented in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal and PECO, the exhibition runs February 14 through September 7, 2026 in the Karabots Pavilion and Mandell Center.

If theme parks, movies, monsters, or creativity fuel your imagination, this exhibition will be the ultimate adventure.