World Down Syndrome Day 2026 at United Nations Geneva
We are delighted to be partnering again with the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) and Association Romande Trisomie 21 (ART 21) to organise a programme of activities in Geneva for World Down Syndrome Day 2026.
Activities include:
Thursday 19 March
- World Down Syndrome Day Celebration at Palais des Nations
Saturday 21 March
- Self-advocacy workshop for people with Down syndrome
- Inclusive show
- Gala evening
Details are listed below along with information about how to register for each activity. Please note that you must register separately for each activity that you would like to attend.
Below these, we have made a list of 21 things to do in Geneva to inspire your plans for Friday.
Thursday 19 March
What: World Down Syndrome Day celebration
When: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Hall XIV, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
What to expect:
A special celebration organised by the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in collaboration with Down Syndrome International (DSi) and the Association Romande Trisomie 21 (ART 21).
Highlights:
- Speeches by key representatives of the United Nations
- Speeches by people with Down syndrome on the 2026 theme, ‘Together Against Loneliness’
- Live performance/concert
- Poster displays
- Photo shoot
- A tour of the Palais des Nations for people with Down syndrome and their families (after you have registered, you will receive a separate message inviting you to sign up for the tour).
Click the button below to register to attend the World Down Syndrome Day celebration. There are guidance notes on how to complete the registration process below the button:
How to register:
- Click the ‘Register’ button above, you will be taken to the Indico web page for the event.
- Scroll down to the blue ‘Registration’ bar and click ‘Register now’.
- In the ‘Account required to apply’ bar, click ‘Log in to proceed’.
- If you have an Indico profile, enter your longin details then skip to step 8. If you do not yet have a Indico profile, scroll to beneath the login space where it says ‘If you do not have an Indico account yet’, click ‘Create one here’.
- Enter your email address and CAPTCHA and click ‘Send me a verification email’.
- Find your email and click on the link to continue the registration process.
- Complete the ‘new Indico profile’ form by adding your first and last name and creating a password. Then click the ‘Create my Indico profile’ button.
- Return to the Indico event page. You will now be able to see the application form.
- Under ‘Representation type’ choose “other” and in the organisation name field, enter “Private citizen”.
- Add a photo of your face (there is guidance on photo requirements).
- Complete your personal information and accessibility requirements.
- Click the ‘Apply’ button.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. You will need to show the QR code at the security gate to access the event.
Saturday 21 March
What: Self-advocacy workshop for people with Down syndrome
When: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: La Maison Internationale des Associations, Rue des Savoises 15, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
What to expect:
A workshop led by Down Syndrome International, with options to take part in French and English.
What: Inclusive show
When: Throughout the day, with a program of inclusive shows between 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Where: Balexert, Av. Louis-Casaï 27, 1209 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
What to expect:
Balloons, crafts, dancing, music, self-representation speeches and more.
What: Gala evening
When: from 6:30 to 11:00 PM
Where: Restaurant at Plage des Eaux Vives, 75 Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207, Geneva, Switzerland
What to expect:
A cocktail dinner, with dancing, music and photos, with a view of jet d’eau lit in blue and yellow for World Down Syndrome Day.
- Persons with Down syndrome – FREE
- ART21 family members – CHF 80.00
- Full price – CHF 120.00
Things to do in Geneva:
- See the Jet d’Eau: This giant water fountain shoots 140 meters into the air. It’s free to watch and makes for the best photos in the city. It will be lit up blue and yellow for WDSD on 21 March.
- Ride a “Mouette” (Yellow Taxi Boat): These little yellow boats are part of the public transport. If you have a Geneva Transport Card from your hotel, the ride is free!
- Visit Bains des Pâquis: A local favourite right on the lake. You can get an affordable lunch or a warm “Fondue” while looking at the lighthouse.
- Walk the Mont-Blanc Quays: A flat, easy, and beautiful lakeside stroll. On a clear day, you can see the snowy Mont Blanc mountain!
- Relax at Baby Plage: A small, accessible beach area at the end of the quay, perfect for a peaceful sit-down by the water.
🌳 Parks & Nature
- The Flower Clock (L’Horloge Fleurie): A huge, working clock made entirely of real flowers! It’s located in the Jardin Anglais and is a Geneva icon.
- Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanique): This is free and very close to the UN. It has beautiful greenhouses, a small deer park, and plenty of wide, flat paths.
- Parc des Bastions: A beautiful park where you can watch people play giant outdoor chess or join in yourself for free!
- The Reformation Wall: Located inside Parc des Bastions, this is a massive stone monument with giant statues of history’s famous leaders.
- Parc de La Grange: A stunning park near the lake with a playground and beautiful historic villas to admire from the outside.
🏛️ Culture & History
- Maison Tavel: The oldest house in Geneva! The permanent exhibition about the history of the city is free to visit.
- St. Pierre Cathedral: You can explore the main part of this beautiful, ancient church for free. It’s right at the highest point of the Old Town. You can pay to climb up the bell tower for a wonderful view.
- CERN Science Gateway: A short tram ride from the center, this brand-new science center is free and very interactive. (Booking ahead is recommended!)
- The Broken Chair: Standing tall right outside the UN (Place des Nations), this massive sculpture symbolising landmines is a powerful and famous photo spot.
- Natural History Museum: This museum has four floors of animals and dinosaurs. Entry to the permanent collection is free!
🍫 Unique Friday Activities
- Chocolate Window Shopping: Walk down Rue du Rhône to see the incredible chocolate displays. Many shops give out a tiny free sample if you pop in!
- Explore the “Passage des Lions”: A beautiful, covered shopping arcade with a stunning glass ceiling and a famous clock—perfect for a rainy day.
- The “World’s Longest Bench”: Visit the Promenade de la Treille to sit on a wooden bench that is 120 meters long—enough room for everyone!
- Visit the Quartier des Grottes: Just behind the train station, this neighborhood has “Schtroumpfs” (Smurf) buildings with curvy walls and bright colors. It’s like a fairy tale!
- Watch the Clock at Hotel de Ville: Head to the Old Town to see the historic government building where the “Geneva Alabaster” (a famous tree) marks the start of spring.
- The new Plage des Eaux-Vives in Geneva is a free, 400-metre-long public lakeside beach and park on Lake Geneva offering swimming, relaxation spaces, views of the Jet d’Eau. We will be having the WDSD Gala Evening at the restaurant here.
15th World Down Syndrome Day Conference, New York
You may also be interested to learn about the World Down Syndrome Day Conference, which will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday 23 March.
To learn more about the Conference, please visit the event website:
Learn more about World Down Syndrome Day:
World Down Syndrome Day.
On 21 March each year, we speak up about the things that matter to people with Down syndrome around the world.