Every year, the global Parkinson’s community comes together in solidarity to celebrate World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April.
Wherever you live, there’s sure to be something you can get involved in for World Parkinson’s Day 2026, from in-person events with your nearest Parkinson’s association, to virtual activities like an online bike ride with fellow people with Parkinson’s. Other ways to get involved include learning about the latest research developments at a conference, or taking part in a fundraising walk.
You can also join in our call to action, demanding better care with our Bridge The Care Gap campaign. Find out more and sign our pledge for improved healthcare services for people with Parkinson’s in Europe.
Find out what’s happening near you by consulting our interactive Parkinson’s map and take a look at some of the highlights taking place around the UK, Europe and the world below.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 events: Global
Spark the Night
PD Avengers’ Spark the Night is back once more, and aims to light up 1,000 buildings across the world in blue in a spectacular act of awareness-raising for Parkinson’s. This year will see New York’s Times Square lit up in blue. In Europe, Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles and Venice’s civic palaces Ca’Farsetti and Ca’Loredan are among those being lit up. And in Canberra, Australia, the National Museum of Australia will take on a blue hue, as will Christchurch Airport in New Zealand.
Don’t forget you can bring the magic of Spark the Night to your corner of the world with Sparklets – put up blue lights around your porch or on your balcony – every spark counts, no matter how small. Register for Spark the Night or Sparklets here.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 events: Europe
Belgium
World Parkinson’s Day Conference
On 10 April, Action Parkinson is holding a day-long event from 10:30-16:00. In the morning, Professor Sophie Dethy, neurologist, will discuss cognitive issues and their management. After a cocktail reception, Edwige Salvador Ramos, neuropsychologist and coordinator of Care to Dance, explores neuropsychology and music and dance. This will be followed by a film of Action Parkinson’s activities, and finally Tony Ockerman shares his passion for sport and provides a series of at-home exercises. Registration is €10 – see full programme and payment details here. The conference is at Chaussée de Vleurgat, 109, 1050 Ixelles, between Place Flagey and Avenue Louise.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026
On 11 April, Association Parkinson A.S.B.L. is holding a World Parkinson’s Day event from 09:30-16:30. The morning will feature talks on resilience, evolutionary coaching, the scientific-humanistic committee, and the Parkinson’s School of Life, followed by a discussion session. At 13:00, there will be a book signing with José Deseyn, writer of Living with Parkinson’s: Testimony and advice from a doctor living with the disease. After lunch (€15/person), wellbeing workshops focus on equipment for daily life, plus introductions to kung fu, dance, and compassionate coaching. Registration is free but essential. The conference is at Créagora, Rue de Fernelmont, 40-42 5020 CHAMPION.
Dogs for Parkinson – solidarity walk
AbbVie, Parkili vzw, Action Parkinson asbl, Association Parkinson asbl, and Vlaamse Parkinson liga vzw have organised a Dogs for Parkinson initiative, which will see solidarity walks for World Parkinson’s Day take place across Belgium – dogs not essential! The walks will take place in Namur (4 April), Antwerp (25 April), and Ghent (11 May). Find out more here.
Denmark
International Parkinson’s Week
From 7–11 April inclusive, Parkinson’s Association Denmark is holding a week of in-person activities, including boxing for Parkinson’s and learning how to manage falls. There are also online events, which include an introduction to the association, a session about rehabilitation, plus a lecture about sex and relationships by a sexologist, and a lecture about apathy by a neuropsychologist. See the schedule for the week here.
France
World Parkinson’s Day events
To mark World Parkinson’s Day, the France Parkinson committees will hold more than 60 events across France from 1 April to 18 May. Check out this map to find out what’s going on near you.
Ireland
A Walk in the Park for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s Ireland will hold its annual A Walk in the Park for Parkinson’s fundraising event on 11 April. Sponsored by Ireland’s leading home care provider Dovida, it will take place in 21 locations across the country to kick off Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Find out more and register here.
Norway
Parkinson’s Conference, Oslo
On 9 April, Oslo and Akershus Parkinson’s Association and the Norwegian Parkinson’s Association invite the Parkinson’s community to celebrate International Parkinson’s Day at Oslo’s Klingenberg Cinema. Taking place from 11:30-16:30, there will be a varied programme covering topics ranging from digital healthcare and understanding pain to the latest Parkinson’s research – all delivered by professionals in the Parkinson’s field. Tickets are 350 kr. Find out more and download the programme here.
Portugal
Young Parkies Portugal annual conference
Young Parkies Portugal (YPP) will hold its annual conference on 11 April from 11:00-18:00 at Champalimaud Foundation Auditorium in Lisbon. Discuss the challenges and advances in Parkinson’s care with neuroscientists, doctors and other leading specialists. Register here. This event will be conducted in Portuguese.
Spain
Solidarity Fest for Parkinson’s
On 11 April, the Catalan Association for Parkinson’s will hold the Solidarity Fest for Parkinson’s, a day of awareness and celebration on Barcelona’s Rambla de Sants. From 11:00-18:00, there will be with lots of music and activities, including live DJs, karaoke, table tennis, and information about Parkinson’s.
Portugal
Associação Portuguesa de Doentes de Parkinson (APDPk) is marking World Parkinson’s Day with an event in Porto. It will start with lunch at noon at Bitaites restaurant, before an afternoon of talks in the Águas Santas municipal auditorium from healthcare professionals, a complementary therapist and a nutritionist. The event closes with some music at 17:00.
Slovenia
Month of awareness
Parkinson’s association Trepetlika will hold a month of awareness which will begin with a special train lit up in blue on 9 April, with further events throughout the week. Email [email protected] to find out more.
Switzerland
Parkinson’s Awareness Day
To mark World Parkinson’s Day, the Geneva University Hospitals Neurology Department is holding a day of conferences, testimonials and workshops on 30 April in its Marcel Jenny Auditorium. There will be talks about everything from complementary therapies and medical advances to how Parkinson’s affects families and work, as well as anxiety, music and physio workshops. Register your attendance by 16 April. Find out more here.
UK
Cure Parkinson’s April Dog Walking Challenge
Cure Parkinson’s is challenging the Parkinson’s community to raise funds by walking 100km with their dogs during the month of April. Register here and you’ll receive a T-shirt for you and a bandana for your pooch. There is also a link for setting up a fundraising page on Facebook or JustGiving.
Parkinson’s UK Make it Blue
Take part in Parkinson’s UK’s Make It Blue fundraising and awareness campaign. Why not hold a fundraising coffee morning with blue iced cupcakes? Or ask your colleagues to wear blue to your workplace to raise awareness and funds. See Parkinson’s UK’s resource guide for more ideas.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 events: rest of the world
Africa
Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium
Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation (ADPF) is holding the fourth Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium on 11 April at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s theme is From Innovation to Implementation: Building Resilient Parkinson’s Care Systems in Nigeria and Africa. Register for a place here.
United States of America
IPMDC 2026 Conference
The Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center in Fairfax, Virginia, is holding a Parkinson’s conference on 11 April at the Inova Conference Center, 2nd floor, 8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax. Attendees can learn about Parkinson’s updates and treatments, gain tips on managing non-motor symptoms, and listen to a panel discussion about quality of life. Sign up here.
Parkinson’s Unity Walk
On 25 April, join The Michael J. Fox Foundation at 08:30 in New York’s Central Park for a 1.2-mile walk towards a world without Parkinson’s. Local Parkinson’s groups will also put on special events and Parkinson’s experts will provide valuable resources for individuals and families affected by the condition.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 events: Online
Global indoor cycle for World Parkinson’s Day
On 11 April, global Parkinson’s online indoor cycling club ZWAP (Zwifters Against Parkinson’s Disease) will hold its fourth World Parkinson’s Day indoor group ride for people with Parkinson’s on digital training platform ZWIFT. Participation is open to ZWIFT subscribers. Find out more here.
