When is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day 2026 is on Tuesday
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
December 1 every year. That's in 58 days.
until World AIDS Day begins, in your time zone
World AIDS Day is a global day to raise awareness of HIV, remember people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses and support people living with HIV. Begun in 1988, it was the first international day dedicated to global health.
About World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day brings together governments, health agencies, community groups and people living with HIV to push for prevention, testing, treatment and an end to stigma. It is also a day of remembrance, and many people wear a red ribbon, the best-known symbol of HIV awareness, as a sign of solidarity.
The idea came from the World Health Organization. James Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers at WHO's Global Programme on AIDS in Geneva, proposed a dedicated day, and the first World AIDS Day was held on December 1, 1988. In October 1988 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 43/15, which noted WHO's declaration of the day and stressed the importance of observing it. UNAIDS describes World AIDS Day as the first international day for global health.
Today UNAIDS and WHO lead the global campaign together with governments and civil society, and they set a theme each year. Treatment has changed the outlook enormously since the first observance. With effective antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives, and people who keep their viral load undetectable do not pass HIV to sexual partners. Gaps in testing, treatment and prevention remain, which is why the day still matters.
Sources: United Nations: World AIDS Day, UNAIDS: World AIDS Day, World Health Organization: World AIDS Day, NPR: How World AIDS Day Began. How we check dates.
How to mark World AIDS Day
- Get tested for HIV if you never have, or if you've had a possible exposure; many clinics and health departments offer free, confidential testing.
- Ask a doctor about prevention options, including PrEP, if they might be right for you.
- Wear a red ribbon to show support for people living with HIV.
- Attend a local candlelight vigil or memorial event.
- Donate to or volunteer with a community group that provides HIV testing, care or housing support.
- Learn current facts about HIV from WHO or your national health agency, and correct myths when you hear them.
World AIDS Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday, December 1, 2025 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, December 1, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, December 1, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, December 1, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, December 1, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, December 1, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is World AIDS Day 2026?
World AIDS Day 2026 is on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. It falls on December 1 every year. In 2027, it is on Wednesday, December 1, 2027.
Who organizes World AIDS Day?
WHO started the day in 1988. Today UNAIDS, WHO, national health agencies and community organizations mark it with a shared theme each year.
Can people with HIV live a long life?
Yes. With early diagnosis and steady antiretroviral treatment, people with HIV can expect long, healthy lives, and treatment that keeps the virus undetectable also prevents sexual transmission.
Is World AIDS Day a public holiday?
No. World AIDS Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.