Cleveland is getting a front-row seat to Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles era. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is rolling out a major new exhibition, “Paul McCartney and Wings,” opening May 15, 2026, with a ticketed launch party set for the evening of May 16. The show pulls together the largest public display so far of pieces from McCartney’s personal archive, along with contributions from former Wings bandmates and collaborators. Curators say the exhibit follows McCartney’s reinvention after the Beatles across studio sessions, tours and the band’s evolving visual identity.
What's on display
Inside the gallery, visitors will find instruments used on Wings recordings and tours, handwritten lyrics, original artwork, stage outfits, and a trove of previously unseen photos. The Rock Hall layers these artifacts with archival audio and video to build an immersive look at McCartney’s post-Beatles decade, according to The Associated Press.
Opening-party details
The museum’s opening party on May 16 will run from 7 to 10 p.m., with timed entry into the special exhibition and full access to the rest of the Rock Hall for guests. VIP packages add early exhibition access, a 7:30 p.m. interview and performance in the Foster Theater, priority entry for a book signing and a drink ticket. Wings guitarist Laurence Juber and drummer Steve Holley are slated to attend, and Juber will sign copies of his photographic memoir, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
A local moment for Cleveland
McCartney is a two-time Rock Hall inductee, first as a Beatle in 1988 and then as a solo artist in 1999, context that helps explain why the museum is giving a dedicated spotlight to Wings, per The Associated Press. The exhibit also arrives during a fresh wave of attention on McCartney’s post-Beatles output, including the recent “Man on the Run” documentary and related releases, according to Paul McCartney’s official site.
Tickets and visiting
Tickets for both general exhibition access and the opening party are already on sale, with limited VIP and member perks outlined by the museum. The Rock Hall sits at Union Home Mortgage Plaza, 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard in downtown Cleveland, and the museum provides parking and transit tips for visitors, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Local coverage has flagged the opening party as a weekend standout, especially with Juber’s in-person book signing and special archival spotlights planned for the evening, per Cleveland Magazine. Expect the Rock Hall and nearby downtown spots to see a bump in traffic as fans filter in to catch the new exhibit during its first weekend on display.
