Mother's Day and Father's Day Dates 2025–2045

Last reviewed on May 4, 2026

In the United States, Mother's Day is the second Sunday of May and Father's Day is the third Sunday of June. Neither is a federal holiday — both are widely observed cultural holidays. Many other countries observe equivalent days on different dates. This page lists the US dates for every year from 2025 through 2045, explains the rules, and notes a few of the most common international variations.

Mother's Day and Father's Day, 2025–2045 (US dates)

The rules

Mother's Day in the US is the second Sunday of May. The date can fall between May 8 and May 14. The rule was set when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation in 1914 establishing the holiday at the federal level, though it has never been a federal day off.

Father's Day in the US is the third Sunday of June. The date can fall between June 15 and June 21. President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday in 1966; President Richard Nixon made the proclamation permanent in 1972.

Both holidays land on a Sunday by definition, so there are no observed-vs-actual shifts.

International variations

Mother's Day around the world

• UK and Ireland: "Mothering Sunday," the fourth Sunday of Lent — usually in March. The date moves with Easter.
• Most of Europe, Canada, Australia, India: Same as the US — second Sunday of May.
• Mexico, parts of Latin America: May 10 every year, regardless of weekday.
• Norway: Second Sunday of February.
• Russia, much of the former Soviet Union: March 8 (International Women's Day) serves a similar cultural function.
• Thailand: August 12 — the birthday of Queen Sirikit.

Father's Day around the world

• Most of the world (US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, much of Europe): Third Sunday of June.
• Catholic countries (Spain, Italy, Portugal): March 19, the feast day of Saint Joseph.
• Germany: Ascension Day (a moveable feast 39 days after Easter). Also widely observed as "Vatertag."
• Australia and New Zealand: First Sunday of September.
• Thailand: December 5 — the birthday of the late King Bhumibol.

Why the dates matter for planning

• Restaurants. Mother's Day is consistently one of the highest-revenue dining days of the year in the US — second only to Valentine's Day in many years. Reservations book out weeks in advance.
• Florists. Mother's Day is the largest sales day of the year for the US cut- flower industry; Valentine's Day is a close second.
• Card and gift retailers. Mother's Day and Father's Day together account for a significant share of greeting-card volume; Mother's Day is the larger of the two.
• Travel. Mother's Day weekend is a notable travel uptick, but smaller than Memorial Day. Father's Day has minimal travel effect.

Common questions

Is Mother's Day a federal holiday?

No. Banks, post offices, and federal offices are open. Most retailers and restaurants are open with extended hours. The holiday is recognized but not a paid day off.

Is Father's Day a federal holiday?

No. Same status as Mother's Day.

Why isn't Father's Day on a fixed date?

Both Mother's Day and Father's Day were defined as Sundays so they would always fall on a non-work day for most observers. Fixing them to a calendar date would push them onto weekdays in roughly five years out of seven.

Common mistakes

• Assuming Mother's Day is the same date as the UK's Mothering Sunday. They are usually two months apart.
• Forgetting to check Father's Day's specific date — the third Sunday window is wider than most people guess (June 15–21).
• Booking US restaurant reservations less than two weeks before Mother's Day.
• Assuming the Australian Father's Day (first Sunday of September) coincides with the US date.

Related

• May 2026 calendar — see Mother's Day in context.
• June 2026 calendar — see Father's Day in context.
• 2026 US federal holidays — for the holidays that do close federal offices.
• Easter dates 2025–2045 — the moving date that anchors UK Mothering Sunday.