Father’s Day is a Sunday most people see coming a week before and plan the day before. A countdown makes it easier to do better than that.
Pick the version that applies where you live.
How to use the Father’s Day Countdown#
- Open the page. The father’s day countdown starts as soon as the page loads and follows the clock on your device.
- Pick which one. Choose between Third Sunday of June (US, UK, Canada, India, Nigeria and more), First Sunday of September (Australia and New Zealand) or 19 March (Spain, Italy and Portugal).
- Read the date. Father’s Day in June is the third Sunday of the month. The weekday is listed under the big number.
How the day started#
The usual story starts in Spokane, Washington, in 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd, who was raised by her widowed father, pushed for a day to honour fathers, inspired by the new Mother’s Day. The idea spread slowly and Father’s Day only became an official US holiday in 1972.
Other countries picked different dates. Catholic countries in southern Europe tie the day to St Joseph on 19 March. Australia and New Zealand hold theirs in early September, in the spring.
Ideas that suit short notice#
If the date is close and you have no plan, a meal he likes, a few hours doing something together or a handwritten note will do more than an expensive gift ordered at the last minute. For fathers who are far away, a long phone call is a real present.
Allow extra time if you’re posting anything. The weeks before Father’s Day are among the busiest for delivery services.
When is Father’s Day in the next few years?#
Father’s Day in June is the third Sunday of the month. In Australia and New Zealand it’s the first Sunday of September, and in Spain, Italy and Portugal it’s fixed on 19 March.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| Third Sunday of June (US, UK, Canada, India, Nigeria and more) | ||
| 2027 | 20 June | Sunday |
| 2028 | 18 June | Sunday |
| 2029 | 17 June | Sunday |
| 2030 | 16 June | Sunday |
| 2031 | 15 June | Sunday |
| First Sunday of September (Australia and New Zealand) | ||
| 2027 | 5 September | Sunday |
| 2028 | 3 September | Sunday |
| 2029 | 2 September | Sunday |
| 2030 | 1 September | Sunday |
| 2031 | 7 September | Sunday |
| 19 March (Spain, Italy and Portugal) | ||
| 2027 | 19 March | Friday |
| 2028 | 19 March | Sunday |
| 2029 | 19 March | Monday |
| 2030 | 19 March | Tuesday |
| 2031 | 19 March | Wednesday |
Father’s Day dates around the world#
The June date is not universal. In Germany, Vatertag falls on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, and is often marked with a walk or a men’s outing. In Thailand it is on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol. In many Catholic countries, it is 19 March, St Joseph’s Day. In Australia and New Zealand, it is the first Sunday of September.
In 2027 the June date is Sun 20 June 2027.
A countdown you can use#
| When | What to do | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 3 weeks out | Decide on a gift or a plan | Sun 30 May 2027 |
| 2 weeks out | Order anything that must be posted | Sun 6 June 2027 |
| 1 week out | Book lunch or a day out | Sun 13 June 2027 |
| The day before | Get a card and pick up food or flowers | Sat 19 June 2027 |
If your father lives far away, the post is the weak link. Allow a week for local delivery and two for international.
Gifts with a story#
- A framed photo of the two of you with a short note on the back about when it was taken.
- A recipe he made when you were small, written out in full.
- A voice recording of you asking him questions about his life, which his grandchildren will keep.
- A day doing something he enjoys, such as fishing, football or a drive, with no phone in sight.
For fathers who are no longer here, the day can be hard. Lighting a candle, visiting a grave or sharing a story with a sibling is a gentler way to mark it.
Fathers in all shapes#
Not everyone has a father at hand, and many people have more than one person who played that role. Stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors and coaches all count. Some people find the day painful because of loss or a difficult relationship. If that is you, you do not have to take part. If someone you know is struggling, a quiet message is kinder than a cheerful card.
Frequently asked questions#
The third Sunday of June in most countries, including the US, UK and Nigeria.
In 1972, though it had been celebrated informally since 1910.
Australia chose the first Sunday of September, which falls in spring there.
The usual account is that Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, campaigned for a day to honour fathers after her own father raised six children alone. The first celebration was in June 1910. It took until 1972 for President Nixon to sign it into US law as a permanent national holiday.
Nigeria follows the third Sunday of June, as in the US and UK. Families usually mark the day with church services, lunch and phone calls. In 2027 the date is 20 June. Check with your family or church if they keep a different date, since some communities use their own custom.
In countries that follow the third Sunday of June, it falls on 20 June 2027. In Australia and New Zealand it is on 5 September 2027, and in Spain, Portugal and Italy on 19 March. Pick your country in the dropdown and the countdown does the rest.