8 Things We’re Looking Forward to at the 2026 World Parkinson Congress

Every three years, the World Parkinson Coalition welcomes the international Parkinson’s community to gather in person to amplify the voices of the more than 10 million people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) around the world. This event brings together people living with PD, their loved ones and the community of professionals committed to helping them.

For the first time in 10 years, the 2026 World Parkinson Congress (WPC) will be held in North America, from May 24 - 27 in Phoenix, AZ. The Parkinson’s Foundation is proud to be a WPC Champion Double Platinum event partner at next year’s WPC. We’re already looking forward to connecting with the global community and sharing our latest resources and research.

Here’s what we’re excited about for WPC 2026:

1.  Exploring the latest breakthroughs in PD care and research, including sharing the evolution of PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation.

The international research study, which continues to advance, has empowered more than 20,000 people with Parkinson’s with information on genetic risk factors than can influence the course of their disease. The Parkinson’s Foundation will present this and other scientific findings alongside the work of fellow researchers during the WPC poster tours.

See how the Foundation is working to identify the fastest lanes to new therapies for people with PD on our Advancing Research page.

2.  Discovering proven strategies to living well with Parkinson’s.

WPC offers a rare opportunity for people with PD, care partners, doctors, scientists and other wide-ranging healthcare professionals to unite as a community and share strategies to actively engage in wellness, including the May 26 “Living Positively with Parkinson’s” panel discussion.

Read Living Your Best Life: A Guide to Parkinson’s Disease to learn practical tips to live well with Parkinson’s.

3.  Celebrating the ties that unite us.

Leading up to the Congress the Red Thread Project, one of the many WPC art, film, music and writing creativity programs, invites members of the Parkinson’s community to take and submit a photograph of themselves holding a red thread for an onsite art installation that will honor the strength of our connections.

Listen to The Link Between Art and Parkinson’s Disease podcast to learn how practicing art can help manage symptoms of PD.

4.  Learning through pre-Congress courses.

We’re looking forward to taking advantage of WPC’s pre-congress educational opportunities. These includes an Advances in Science, Research & Treatment course, as well as a daylong opportunity to dig into the Fundamentals of Parkinson’s — from exploring the basics of PD to understanding early-onset Parkinson’s. 

Visit the Parkinson’s Foundation Learning Lab if you’re looking for online courses to complete right now, at your own pace.

5.  Diving deep into important topics.

WPC small-group roundtable sessions will give attendees the opportunity for sit-down discussions with different experts in various aspects of Parkinson’s.

Join an online Wellness Wednesday Expert Briefing interview to learn PD management symptoms and more.

6.  Connecting with others in the PD community.

Living with Parkinson’s can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. Opportunities to connect, especially among people who may share common ground, can make us feel understood and supported.

Along with various networking opportunities for healthcare professionals, the WPC offers a Buddies Program which matches interested participants from across the globe, including many first-time attendees, with one another.

Check out the online PD Conversations community to find year-round shared connection and understanding.

7.  Practicing renewal.

Making wellness part of the daily routine is essential to living your best with Parkinson’s. WPC offers many opportunities to practice well-being — whether learning about the benefits mindfulness, addressing your needs as a care partner or taking a moment to exercise your body and voice in the Renewal Room.

Access PD Health @ Home Mindfulness Mondays and Fitness Fridays for in-home activities designed to boost your health and wellness.

8.  Meeting you!

Stop by the Parkinson’s Foundation booth at WPC to meet staff, explore takeaway items and learn how the Parkinson’s Foundation is here to support you with tools, resources and information to help you build a better life with Parkinson’s.

Contact our Helpline specialists at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) to find expert care and support in your area.

Join us! Learn more and register for the 2026 World Parkinson Congress at wpc2026.org.