When is Father's Day?
In the United States, Father's Day is the third Sunday of June, which means it always falls between June 15 and June 21. Father's Day 2027 is on Sunday, June 20, 2027. The UK, Canada, Ireland and many other countries celebrate on the same Sunday. Australia and New Zealand celebrate on the first Sunday of September, and Spain, Italy and Portugal mark it on March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph.
Upcoming Father's Day dates
| Year | U.S., UK & Canada | Australia & New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sun, Jun 20 | Sun, Sep 5 |
| 2028 | Sun, Jun 18 | Sun, Sep 3 |
| 2029 | Sun, Jun 17 | Sun, Sep 2 |
| 2030 | Sun, Jun 16 | Sun, Sep 1 |
| 2031 | Sun, Jun 15 | Sun, Sep 7 |
| 2032 | Sun, Jun 20 | Sun, Sep 5 |
| 2033 | Sun, Jun 19 | Sun, Sep 4 |
| 2034 | Sun, Jun 18 | Sun, Sep 3 |
History of Father's Day
Father's Day followed the success of Mother's Day. The person most often credited with founding it is Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Her father, William Jackson Smart, was a Civil War veteran who raised six children on his own after his wife died. After hearing a Mother's Day sermon, Dodd proposed a day for fathers, and Spokane held the first Father's Day celebration on June 19, 1910.
An earlier one-time service took place in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, organized by Grace Golden Clayton to honor the fathers killed in the Monongah mine disaster the previous December. National recognition came slowly. President Calvin Coolidge encouraged states to observe the day in 1924, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation in 1966 designating the third Sunday in June, and President Richard Nixon signed the law that made Father's Day a permanent national observance in 1972.
How Father's Day is celebrated
Families typically mark the day with cards, gifts, a favorite meal or cookout, and time spent together, whether that's a ballgame, a round of golf, fishing or simply a day off from chores. Many people also honor grandfathers, stepfathers and other father figures. Because the holiday falls in mid-June, it often lands close to Juneteenth (June 19) and the summer solstice, and some years they share the same weekend. For dads who live far away, a scheduled call or a card that arrives on time often means as much as a gift.
Planning with the countdown
- Order gifts with shipping in mind. Online orders need delivery time, so shop when the countdown still shows a couple of weeks.
- Reserve ahead. Restaurants, tee times and fishing charters book up on Father's Day weekend.
- Mail cards early. Allow several days for delivery, more for international mail.
- Check the country. If your dad lives in Australia or New Zealand, his Father's Day is in September; the table above lists both dates.
Frequently asked questions
What date is Father's Day 2027?
U.S. Father’s Day 2027 is on Sunday, June 20, 2027, the third Sunday of June.
What is the earliest and latest date for Father’s Day?
Because it is the third Sunday of June, Father’s Day always falls between June 15 and June 21.
Who founded Father’s Day?
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, is credited with founding it in honor of her father, a widowed Civil War veteran. The first celebration was on June 19, 1910.
When is Father's Day in Australia in 2027?
Australia and New Zealand celebrate Father’s Day on the first Sunday of September. In 2027 it is on Sunday, September 5, 2027.
Is Father’s Day a federal holiday?
It is a permanent national observance, signed into law in 1972, but it always falls on a Sunday and is not a federal day off.
Last updated: October 8, 2026