Purple Day 2026
awarenessFriday, March 26, 2027
192 days from today · next occurrence
About Purple Day
Purple Day is a grassroots epilepsy awareness campaign held every year on March 26, when people around the world wear purple and talk openly about epilepsy. The color purple was chosen for its association with lavender, a flower long linked to the condition; wearing it signals solidarity with the more than 65 million people worldwide who live with epilepsy.
The day was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a Canadian schoolgirl with epilepsy who wanted to dispel myths and show others with the condition that they were not alone. Her idea caught on quickly: schools, workplaces, landmarks, and entire city squares turn purple each year, and epilepsy organizations host education sessions, fundraisers, and community walks.
About one in ten people will experience a seizure in their lifetime, yet stigma keeps many from discussing it. Purple Day pushes back by making the conversation ordinary. Knowing basic seizure first aid, such as staying calm, cushioning the head, timing the seizure, and never restraining someone, can genuinely save lives.
When is Purple Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 26, 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | March 26, 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | March 26, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | March 26, 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | March 26, 2030 | Tuesday |
History of Purple Day
Purple Day was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a nine-year-old from Nova Scotia who had epilepsy herself and wanted to get people talking about the condition. She chose purple for its association with lavender, a traditional epilepsy symbol. The idea grew rapidly after the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation joined as partners, organizing events, distributing materials, and coordinating global participation. Within a few years, schools, businesses, and landmarks on several continents were lighting up purple, and the campaign earned support from epilepsy organizations worldwide. Purple Day now ranks among the largest epilepsy awareness initiatives of the year and continues to be driven largely by volunteers and people living with the condition rather than by any single government or agency.
How to Celebrate Purple Day
- Wear something purple and explain why when someone asks.
- Learn seizure first aid: stay calm, cushion the head, time the seizure, and call emergency services if it lasts too long.
- Donate to or volunteer with an epilepsy organization.
- Share accurate epilepsy facts on social media to counter myths and stigma.
- Ask local landmarks or schools to light up purple on March 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Purple Day?
- Purple Day takes place every year on March 26, a fixed date chosen by its young founder in 2008.
- Is Purple Day a public holiday?
- No. Purple Day is an awareness campaign, not a public holiday. Businesses, schools, and government offices stay open, though many schools join the purple-wearing tradition.
- How do people celebrate Purple Day?
- People celebrate by wearing purple, attending awareness walks and fundraisers, learning seizure first aid, and sharing stories of people living with epilepsy. Landmarks often light up in purple for the night.
- Why is purple the color of epilepsy awareness?
- Purple was chosen because lavender is a traditional symbol of epilepsy, once associated with the isolation people felt and later reclaimed as a sign of support and solidarity.