For decades, the Jim Henson Creature Shop in New York City has been a place of mystery—a closed-door laboratory where the world’s most iconic characters come to life. Whether it’s the residents of Sesame Street, the Fraggles of Fraggle Rock, or the animatronic marvels of The Dark Crystal, they all started here.
Now, to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Jim Henson Company, fans are being given a rare “all-access pass” to see where the magic happens.
When Can You Visit?
The Jim Henson Company has officially launched a series of weekly behind-the-scenes tours.
- Start Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026.
- Schedule: Tours run every Saturday with multiple time slots throughout the day.
- Duration: Each tour lasts approximately 80 minutes.
Where is the Workshop Located?
The tour takes place at the elite puppet-building workshop in Queens, New York City. While the company also operates the historic Jim Henson Company Lot in Hollywood, New York is the original home of the workshop and remains the hub for the “Henson-style” soft puppets and walkaround characters we know and love.
Pro Tip: The workshop is located near the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Astoria, which houses the permanent Jim Henson Exhibition. It’s the perfect double-feature for a day trip!
What is Included in the Tour?
This isn’t just a walk-through; it’s an immersive experience for Muppet fans and aspiring builders alike:
- The Puppet Build Room: See the actual workspace where builders create current characters for film and TV.
- Puppetry Demonstrations: Watch a professional Henson puppeteer demonstrate the specialized techniques used to bring characters to life.
- Exclusive Photo Ops: Get up close with iconic characters and props from the Henson archives.
- Meet-and-Greets: Guests will have the chance to meet one of the Shop’s talented puppet builders and ask questions about the craft.
How Much Does it Cost?
Because this is a working studio and space is extremely limited, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
- Ticket Price: $150 (plus tax and fees).
- Booking: Tickets must be purchased in advance via the official portal at www.JimHensonExperiences.com.
Detailed Insider Info for Fans
While the workshop usually stays hidden to meet strict production deadlines for projects like Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and the upcoming Star Trek puppet episode, these 2026 tours are part of a broader “Year of Henson” celebration.
If you’ve ever wanted to see the “Henson Stitch” in person or understand how a piece of fleece becomes a legend, this is your chance. Don’t wait—given the massive Muppet community in NYC, these Saturday slots are the hottest tickets in town.