World's fair

A world's fair, also known as a universal exhibition, is a large global exhibition designed to showcase the achievements of nations. These exhibitions vary in character and are held in different parts of the world at a specific site for a period of time, typically between three and six months.

The term "world's fair" is commonly used in the United States, while the French term, Exposition universelle ("universal exhibition") is used in most Europe and Asia; other terms include World Expo or Specialised Expo, with the word expo used for various types of exhibitions since at least 1958.

Since the adoption of the 1928 Convention Relating to International Exhibitions, the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has served as an international sanctioning body for international exhibitions; four types of international exhibition are organised under its auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos (regulated by the International Association of Horticultural Producers), and the Milan Triennial.

Osaka, Japan held the most recent World Expo in (/wiki/Expo_2025), while Astana, Kazakhstan held the most recent Specialised Expo in 2017, and Doha, Qatar held the most recent Horticultural Expo in 2023.

History

Further information: List of world's fairs

In 1791, Prague held the first World's Fair in Bohemia (now Czech Republic). This fair celebrated the region's advanced manufacturing methods. France also had national exhibitions, leading to the famous Great Exhibition in London in 1851, organized by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

World fairs have changed over time. They began by showing new inventions and technology, then shifted toward cultural themes and sharing ideas. Later, countries used these events to showcase their national image and attract visitors.

Types

There are mainly two types of international exhibitions: World Expos and Specialised Expos. World Expos are the largest and most expensive, lasting between six weeks and six months. Countries often build their own pavilions for these events. Since 1995, there has been at least five years between two World Expos. An example is World Expo 2015, held in Milan, Italy, from May to October 2015.

Specialised Expos are smaller and shorter, lasting between three weeks and three months. They focus on specific themes, like energy or the ocean. These expos are cheaper because the organizer provides pavilion space for free. Only one Specialised Expo can happen between two World Expos. There are also horticultural exhibitions, which focus on gardens and nature, bringing countries together to share ideas about healthy living and sustainable practices.

List of expositions

This section shows lists of big world exhibitions, called expositions. They include Universal, International, Specialised, and Horticultural expositions, as recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions.

Legacies

Remaining structures

Most of the structures built for world's fairs are temporary and taken down after the event ends, except for famous landmark towers. The most well-known example is the Eiffel Tower, built for the Exposition Universelle (1889). Though it is now a symbol of Paris, many people at the time did not like it and wanted it removed after the fair.

Other structures that are still standing from these fairs include:

• 1851 – London: The Crystal Palace, built for the first World's Fair, was so popular that it was moved to a new location. Sadly, it was destroyed in a fire in 1936.
• 1876 – Philadelphia: Memorial Hall from the Centennial Exposition is still in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and is now home to the Please Touch Museum.
• 1880 – Melbourne: The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, built for the Melbourne International Exhibition, is listed as a World Heritage site.
• 1893 – Chicago: The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is located in a building from the World's Columbian Exposition. The Art Institute of Chicago was also built during this time.
• 1964 – New York City: The Unisphere, a large globe-shaped structure, still stands where it was built for the second New York World's Fair. The New York Hall of Science continues to operate as a science museum.

Reuse of sites

Some world's fair sites became parks after the fairs ended, keeping some of the expo elements. Examples include:

• Audubon Park, New Orleans: Site of New Orleans's World Cotton Centennial in 1884
• Jackson Park, Chicago and the Chicago Midway: Site of the 1893 Columbian Exposition
• Centennial Park, Nashville: Tennessee Centennial Expo in 1897
• Forest Park, Saint Louis: Home of the Saint Louis Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904
• Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York City: Site of both the 1939 New York World's Fair and the 1964 New York World's Fair

Relocation of pavilions

Some pavilions from world's fairs have been moved to new locations around the world. For example:

• The Argentine Pavilion from the 1889 Paris fair was moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• The Chilean Pavilion from 1889 Paris is now in Santiago, Chile.
• The Japanese Tower from the 1900 World's Fair in Paris was moved to Laken in Brussels.

Other legacies

Many exhibitions and rides created by Walt Disney for the 1964 New York World's Fair were moved to Disneyland after the fair closed. The idea of a permanent world's fair inspired Disney's Epcot theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

Sometimes, signs or artwork from these fairs remain in places like subway systems. For example, signs in the New York City Subway still point to Flushing Meadows–Corona Park from the 1964–1965 fair. Souvenirs from these events can often be found at sales or garage sales. Many fairs also created special postage stamps and commemorative coins.