World Parkinson's Day2026 · Date · History
Parkinson's Europe and the international Parkinson’s community
About World Parkinson's Day
World Parkinson’s Day is observed on April 11 to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and stand with people affected by it.
Parkinson’s Europe says it established the annual day in 1997 together with World Health Organization support, and the date commemorates the birthday of physician James Parkinson.
Why World Parkinson's Day matters
Parkinson’s affects people differently; no one symptom, disease stage or life story speaks for everyone.
Campaigns emphasize dignity, accessibility, research and support while avoiding stereotypes and unverified cure claims.
History of World Parkinson's Day
Parkinson’s Europe, formerly the European Parkinson’s Disease Association, says it launched the first World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, 1997, co-sponsored by WHO.
The date remembers James Parkinson’s birthday and his 1817 publication An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. The day’s founding is distinct from the much earlier medical history of the disease.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
European Parkinson’s Disease Association (now Parkinson’s Europe)
Parkinson’s Europe describes itself as the founding body.
European Parkinson’s Disease Association, with WHO co-sponsorship
Parkinson’s Europe identifies the joint awareness initiative, not a UN General Assembly proclamation.
First documented observance
Parkinson’s Europe first-edition historical account gives exact inaugural date.
Parkinson’s Europe and international Parkinson’s community organizations
Parkinson’s Europe and Parkinson’s UK organize continuing April 11 activities.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
National Parkinson’s Day, World Parkinson's Day
How to Observe World Parkinson's Day
Listen to or share consent-based perspectives from people living with Parkinson’s.
Use specialist charities and medical organizations for reliable general information.
Support accessible local events and research charities without claiming any single treatment works for everyone.
World Parkinson's Day Facts
World Parkinson’s Day takes place on April 11.
Parkinson’s Europe dates the first international awareness day to 1997 and describes WHO as a co-sponsor.
April 11 is James Parkinson’s birthday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Parkinson’s Europe — Our history (opens in a new tab)
Primary Institutional Or Organizer
Parkinson’s Europe — World Parkinson’s Day history (opens in a new tab)
Primary Institutional Or Organizer
Parkinson’s UK — World Parkinson’s Day (opens in a new tab)
Primary Institutional Or Organizer
Parkinson's Europe — history of World Parkinson's Day (opens in a new tab)
Organizer Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Parkinson's Day?
11 April The documented recurrence rule is: 11 April.
Does World Parkinson's Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Parkinson's Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Organizer-backed international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Parkinson's Day?
The reviewed sources identify European Parkinson’s Disease Association, with WHO co-sponsorship as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as European Parkinson’s Disease Association (now Parkinson’s Europe). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Parkinson’s Europe and international Parkinson’s community organizations.
Is World Parkinson's Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Organizer-backed international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-09.
When is World Parkinson’s Day?
April 11 every year.
Who established the observance?
Parkinson’s Europe, then called EPDA, founded the 1997 day with WHO co-sponsorship.
Why was April 11 selected?
It commemorates physician James Parkinson’s birthday.
Is the observance a source of personalized treatment guidance?
No. Treatment and diagnosis require qualified clinicians who know the person’s circumstances.
Other observances on April 11
These observances are also listed on April 11, 2027.
Dog Therapy Appreciation Day
The Animal Medical Center repeatedly lists Dog Therapy Appreciation Day on April 11 in annual pet-awareness calendars.
Día de la Batalla de Rivas
Costa Rica Legislative Assembly and cultural-history sources verify April 11 as the annual Battle of Rivas commemoration, the April 11, 1856 historical anchor and Act 8886 later date-protec…
International Louie Louie Day
The Louie Louie advocacy/fan community documents International Louie Louie Day and its April 11 tradition, developed through the Louie Louie Advocacy and Music Appreciation Society ecosyste…
Marketing Operations Appreciation Day
Zapier’s own 2023 campaign page states that Marketing Operations Appreciation Day is April 11 and describes it as an annual recognition initiative.
National Barbershop Quartet Day
The Barbershop Harmony Society says National Barbershop Quartet Day commemorates the birth of the organized barbershop movement on 11 April 1938.
National Cheese Fondue Day
The Melting Pot’s first-party 2025 material identifies April 11 as National Cheese Fondue Day, continuing a long-running brand celebration.