NYC Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video

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.

The 2026 NYC Buddy Walk took place on September 12, 2026.

Donate Join a local Buddy Walk!

2026 NYC Buddy Walk

Four children stand together outside near a popcorn cart and a pretzel stand under a red-and-white striped awning. Two boys wear gray T-shirts printed with "New York City Buddy Walk, Educate | Advocate," one of them a boy with Down syndrome holding up a peace sign and a popcorn box. A girl in a light purple T-shirt and cap also holds up a peace sign, and a younger girl in a gray T-shirt with a pink headband smiles in front.

A group of five people stand together outdoors near blue "Finish" flags and blue balloons. A young woman with curly hair and glasses, a man with a beard holding a sign that reads "I walk for Donnie," a woman in sunglasses, a young man with Down syndrome wearing a gold medal, and another woman all wear matching gray T-shirts printed with a red apple design and "New York City 2026 Buddy Walk, Educate | Advocate | Celebrate."

Three women stand behind a table at an outdoor event, all wearing matching light blue T-shirts printed with "Alk alopecia" and "Mount Sinai Dermatology innovative research" alongside small icons of a syringe, pill bottle, and figure. On the table in front of them are red-and-white striped popcorn boxes, water bottles, and a light blue sign reading "Down syndrome dermatology clinical trial interest form."

A group of people walk together outdoors holding a white banner that reads "Buddy Walk, National Down Syndrome Society, Educate | Advocate | Celebrate, New York City Buddy Walk." A man in a green T-shirt and red cap raises both arms in celebration behind the banner. Several people with Down syndrome are among the group, wearing gray T-shirts printed with a red apple design and "New York."

A crowd of people wearing matching gray T-shirts printed with a red apple design and "New York City 2026 Buddy Walk" dance together outdoors. In the front row, a boy, a girl with Down syndrome, and another boy with Down syndrome dance with their arms extended.

Eight adults stand together under a white event tent, all wearing matching yellow T-shirts printed with a red apple design and "New York City 2026 Buddy Walk, Educate | Advocate | Celebrate." Behind them hangs a sign reading "New York City Buddy Walk, Volunteer check-in."

A woman with short hair, a man, and three girls (one with Down syndrome wearing a yellow bow) stand together outdoors behind a table, all in matching gray T-shirts printed with a red apple design and "New York City 2026 Buddy Walk." On the table are a tablet, a water bottle, a book titled "My Perfect Design," and a letter board reading "Books 15, Shirts 20."

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

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 kicked off the 2026 NYC Buddy Walk® and streamed live on Facebook.

NDSS at Yankee Stadium

A man with Down syndrome and his family give a thumbs up at Yankee Stadium. They wear New York Yankee hats.

NDSS and the New York Yankees had a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium! Each ticket included a New York Yankees x National Down Syndrome Society Hat. The New York Yankees played the Mets.

Exhibitors at the NYC Buddy Walk

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

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