Shine a Light on Celiac

A global celiac disease awareness campaign.

Since 2020, celiac disease organizations around the world have come together to shine a light on the seriousness of this disease. This year, as in years past, we’re lighting up landmarks in green to raise awareness of celiac disease, gluten-free food insecurity, the need for more research and so much more!

May is Celiac/Coeliac Awareness Month, May 8-14 is Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, and May 16 is internationally recognized as Celiac Awareness Day.

Learn more about the organizations involved

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease (sometimes called celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a serious, autoimmune condition triggered by consuming a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system begins to attack the villi of the intestines. Damaged villi (see photo at left) make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients, which can lead to malnourishment and a host of other issues including osteoporosis, infertility and the onset of other autoimmune diseases.

A diagram of intestinal villi, showing both a healthy cross-section and one with damaged, and therefor shorter, villi.

Landmarks we’re lighting up for celiac disease in 2026

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
	Landmarks coming soon!	May 16

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
	Landmarks coming soon!	May 16

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
	Landmarks coming soon!	May 16

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
	Landmarks coming soon!	May 16

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
	Landmarks coming soon!	May 16

City	Landmark	Date	Courtesy of
Dublin, OH	Dublin Link Bridge	May 16	National Celiac Association

Other landmarks we’ve previously lit up: Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer statue), Niagara Falls, CN Tower, Olympic Stadium (Montreal), Calgary Tower, Rawche rock at Ramly el Baydu (Beirut) and many more.