NYC Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video

September 12, 2026. Image of a man with Down syndrome wearing a medal and a Buddy Walk t-shirt celebrating. New York City Buddy Walk logo with a silhouette of the NYC skyline. National Down Syndrome Society. Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.

Since 1995, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Buddy Walk® has been the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States. It is also the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community. The flagship New York City Buddy Walk® attracts participants from coast to coast each year.

Save the date for the 2026 NYC Buddy Walk and Times Square Video Presentation on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Donate Join a local Buddy Walk!

 

 

Times Square Video Presentation

A family wearing Buddy Walk t-shirts celebrates at Times Square

Every year, NDSS reminds the world in a BIG way about the value that people with Down syndrome bring to their communities through a special video presentation on a jumbo screen, generously donated by Clear Channel, in the heart of Times Square.

Annually, 500 individuals are chosen to appear in the Times Square Video, and NDSS chooses as many new faces as possible to highlight the diversity and beauty of our community. The hour-long presentation will kick off the 2026 NYC Buddy Walk® and streams live on Facebook.

Apply to be in the 2026 Times Square Video Presentation! Submissions will close on June 4, 2026 at 11:59 ET.

2026 Times Square Video Presentation

Exhibitors at the NYC Buddy Walk

A man with Down syndrome and a woman without Down syndrome sit in front of a computer

In 2025, NDSS was joined by many exhibitors who connected with the Down syndrome community at the New York City Buddy Walk in Central Park! Exhibitors represented organizations, companies, and self-advocate run businesses, to celebrate inclusion, share their missions, and promote their work to thousands of attendees.

2026 Exhibitor Opportunities

 

 

 

 

2025 NYC Buddy Walk

A family wearing Buddy Walk t-shirts smiles for the camera at Times Square

A crowd watches the stage at Central Park

A group gathers at the start line of the Buddy Walk with a large banner

Sofia Sanchez, an actress with Down syndrome, and Clifford take the stage at Central Park

Individuals with Down syndrome wearing Buddy Walk t-shirts celebrate at Times Square

A large group, "Team Ava," stands at the Buddy Walk finish line

A group of individuals with Down syndrome dance on a stage in Central Park

A family with a young boy with Down syndrome poses in front of a Buddy Walk banner

 For questions or more information about the NYC Buddy Walk, please email nycbuddywalk@ndss.org.