Toy Fair New York Celebrates 120 Years of Play, Innovation, and Leadership

The 120th annual Toy Fair New York spotlighted 2026 toy trends, global exhibitors, and Women in Toys' networking event.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 120th annual Toy Fair New York transformed the Javits Center into a global epicenter of imagination, commerce, and connection, proving that the business of play is stronger than ever. The celebratory tone was set with a ribbon cutting ceremony and parade of costumed characters that welcomed tens of thousands of global play professionals from nearly 100 countries. More than 720 exhibitors, including over 170 companies debuting in the U.S. market, filled the show floor with hundreds of thousands of toys, games, collectibles, plush, STEM kits, and licensed products expected to shape 2026 retail shelves.

Why it matters

Toy Fair New York is the largest toy show in the Western Hemisphere, marking a historic 120th anniversary for the industry. The event spotlights the latest toy trends and innovations, reinforcing the importance of fandom, cross-platform storytelling, and the continued rise of adult consumers in the toy space.

The details

The Toy Trends Briefing outlined six themes defining the year ahead: 'Forever Young', 'Cozy Culture', 'Inspiring Inventors', 'Express Yourself', 'Throwback Toys', and 'Fan-Driven Play'. Licensing now accounts for more than one-third of U.S. toy sales. Toy Fair University provided educational sessions on creative development, marketing, licensing, sustainability, retail, and legislative updates. Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment hosted mentorship sessions and a networking event, reflecting the organization's mission to support women in the toy and licensing industries.

  • The 120th annual Toy Fair New York took place from February 14 through 18, 2026.
  • The Toy Fair New York has been an annual event since its inception in 1906.

The players

The Toy Association

The organization that produces the Toy Fair New York event.

Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment

A non-profit organization advocating for the advancement of women in the toy and licensing industries.

Angelina Castro

The Executive Director of Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment.

Lorenzo Rivera

The author of the article about Toy Fair New York.

Jacob Javits Center

The venue that hosted the 120th annual Toy Fair New York.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The 120th annual Toy Fair New York showcased the continued growth and innovation in the toy industry, highlighting the importance of trends like licensing, adult consumers, and STEM learning, as well as the vital role of organizations like Women in Toys in supporting women's advancement in the sector.