The Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts have partnered on a proposal to create a Children’s World Fair and implement it as part of the 2026 celebrations, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

Currently in its initial concept and planning phase, the fair would take place in and around Fairmount Park, the same site that hosted the 1876 World’s Fair.

The Children’s World Fair would aim to draw upon the mission of that event, but with a bigger emphasis on the youngest generation.

“This is a moment where we could engage children and families from Philadelphia, across the Commonwealth, and maybe worldwide, into exploring innovation, idea-sharing and cultural engagement. And by activating children’s curiosity, hopefully they will envision a better world,” said Patricia Wellenbach, CEO of the Please Touch Museum, which is spearheading the project. 

Initial plans for the event include programming, workshops, performances, and other activations surrounding varied topics such as the arts, science and technology, health and wellness, cuisine, and citizenship.

Wellenbach noted she expects to know whether they’ll be able to get the funding needed to move forward with the project by mid-September. 

Read more about the potential Children’s World Fair in Philly at the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

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The Please Touch Museum is among three organizations collaborating in hopes of bringing a Children’s World Fair to Philly in 2026.