The map above shows all the various dates Father’s Day is observed around the world. And in case you’re wondering here are the dates by country below:
| Occurrence | Dates | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier’s Day | 18 March | Mongolia |
| 19 March | Andorra (Dia del Pare) Angola Antwerp Bolivia Croatia Honduras Italy (Festa del papà) Liechtenstein Mozambique (Dia do Pai) Portugal (Dia do Pai) Spain (Día del Padre) Ticino (Festa del papà) Libya (Festa del papà) Kosovo (Dita e Babait) |
|
| 8 May | South Korea (Parents’ Day) | |
| Second Sunday in May | 14 May 2023 12 May 2024 11 May 2025 |
Romania (Ziua Tatălui) |
| Third Sunday in May | 21 May 2023 19 May 2024 18 May 2025 |
Tonga |
| Ascension Day | 18 May 2023 9 May 2024 29 May 2025 |
Germany |
| First Sunday in June | 4 June 2023 2 June 2024 1 June 2025 |
Lithuania (Tėvo diena), Switzerland |
| 5 June | Denmark (also Constitution Day) | |
| Second Sunday in June | 11 June 2023 9 June 2024 8 June 2025 |
Austria (Vatertag), Belgium |
| Third Sunday in June | 18 June 2023 16 June 2024 15 June 2025 |
Afghanistan Algeria Albania Antigua and Barbuda Argentina (except Jujuy and Mendoza) Aruba Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brunei Burkina Faso Cambodia Canada Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Dominica Ecuador Ethiopia France Georgia Ghana Greece Guernsey Guyana Hong Kong Hungary India Ireland Isle of Man Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jersey Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Laos Macau Mali Madagascar Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mexico Morocco Namibia Netherlands Nigeria Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Qatar Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore Sierra Leone Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom United States Venezuela Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe |
| 17 June | El Salvador, Guatemala | |
| 21 June | Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, United Arab Emirates | |
| 23 June | Nicaragua, Poland | |
| Last Sunday in June | 25 June 2023 30 June 2024 29 June 2025 |
Haiti |
| Second Sunday in July | 9 July 2023 14 July 2024 13 July 2025 |
Uruguay |
| Last Sunday in July | 30 July 2023 28 July 2024 27 July 2025 |
Dominican Republic |
| 8 August | Taiwan | |
| Second Sunday in August | 13 August 2023 11 August 2024 10 August 2025 |
Brazil (Dia dos Pais), Samoa |
| Last Monday in August | 28 August 2023 26 August 2024 25 August 2025 |
South Sudan |
| First Sunday in September | 3 September 2023 1 September 2024 7 September 2025 |
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea |
| Second Sunday in September | 10 September 2023 8 September 2024 14 September 2025 |
Latvia |
| First Sunday in October | 1 October 2023 6 October 2024 5 October 2025 |
Luxembourg |
| Third Sunday in October | 15 October 2023 20 October 2024 19 October 2025 |
Russia |
| 21 October | Belarus | |
| Second Sunday in November | 12 November 2023 10 November 2024 9 November 2025 |
Estonia (Isadepäev) Finland (Isänpäivä) Iceland (Feðradagur) Norway (Farsdag) Sweden (Fars dag) |
| 12 November | Indonesia | |
| 5 December | Thailand (The birthday of King Bhumibol) | |
| 26 December | Bulgaria | |
| Hebrew calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country |
| 30 Shevat | Between 30 January and 1 March 21 February 2023 9 February 2024 28 February 2025 |
Israel (Family Day) |
| Hindu calendar | ||
| Definition | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| Kushe Aunsi (Bhadrapada Amavasya) | Between 30 August and 30 September | Nepal |
| Islamic calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| 13 Rajab, Ali Ibn Abi Talib’s birthday | 4 February 2023 25 January 2024 13 January 2025 |
Bahrain Iran Iraq Kuwait Mauritania Somalia Sudan Yemen |
| Burmese calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| Full Moon Day of Tabaung | in February or March 6 March 2023 24–25 March 2024 13 March 2025 |
Myanmar (Father’s Day) |
How does Father’s Day differ around the world?
Father’s Day is celebrated in various ways around the world, reflecting different cultural traditions and customs. Here are some notable differences:
United States
- Date: Third Sunday in June
- Traditions: Families often give gifts, cards, and spend time together. Barbecues and outdoor activities are common.
United Kingdom
- Date: Third Sunday in June
- Traditions: Similar to the U.S., it involves giving gifts, cards, and family gatherings. Many also enjoy special meals or outings.
Australia and New Zealand
- Date: First Sunday in September
- Traditions: Celebrated with family gatherings, giving gifts, and special meals. Schools often have activities leading up to Father’s Day.
Germany
- Date: Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
- Tradition: Known as “Vatertag” or “Men’s Day,” this celebration involves groups of men embarking on hiking trips while pulling wagons filled with beer, wine, and traditional food. It’s a day for men to celebrate together, often with heavy drinking and outdoor activities.
Brazil
- Date: Second Sunday in August
- Tradition: Known as “Dia dos Pais,” this day is celebrated with family gatherings and large meals. Children often give gifts and cards, and there are also special church services to honor fathers.
Thailand
- Date: December 5th (Birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej)
- Tradition: Father’s Day is celebrated in conjunction with the birthday of the late King Bhumibol. People wear yellow, the King’s color, and ceremonies are held nationwide to honor both the King and fathers. Children present their fathers with canna lilies and engage in acts of merit such as releasing fish and birds.
Russia
- Date: February 23rd (Defender of the Fatherland Day)
- Tradition: Originally a military holiday, it has expanded to celebrate all men, including fathers. Men receive gifts and cards, and the day is marked with parades, ceremonies, and social gatherings.
Nepal
- Date: New Moon of the month Bhadra (usually August/September)
- Tradition: Known as “Kushe Aunsi” or “Gokarna Aunsi,” this day is marked by children performing rituals to honor their fathers, including offering gifts and special foods. Many also visit temples like Gokarna Temple to pray for their fathers.
Mexico
- Date: Third Sunday in June
- Tradition: Celebrations often involve large family gatherings and meals. A unique feature in some areas is the “Carrera Día del Padre,” a special race or fun run held to honor fathers.
Japan
- Date: Third Sunday in June
- Tradition: Known as “父の日” (Chichi no Hi), children give handmade gifts, cards, and flowers, such as roses. Families may also prepare special meals and spend quality time together.
South Korea
- Date: May 8th (Parents’ Day)
- Tradition: Instead of separate Mother’s and Father’s Days, South Korea celebrates Parents’ Day. Children give red carnations to both parents, and families often spend the day together, sometimes with celebratory meals or outings.
France
- Date: Third Sunday in June
- Traditions: Known as “Fête des Pères,” it involves giving gifts and spending time with family. Children often make handmade gifts and cards.
Spain
- Date: March 19th (Saint Joseph’s Day)
- Traditions: Celebrated as a religious holiday, it includes giving gifts and spending time with family. There are also church services to honor Saint Joseph.
Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland
- Date: Second Sunday in November
- Tradition: Known as “Isänpäivä” in Finland, “Fars dag” in Sweden and Norway, and “Feðradagur” in Iceland, the day is marked by children giving handmade gifts and cards. In Finland, there is a tradition of flying the national flag to honor fathers.
Ethiopia
- Date: Varies (usually in October or November)
- Tradition: Known as “Antrosht,” this unique celebration involves a family feast. The meal typically includes a traditional hash made from lamb, vegetables, and spices. Singing and dancing are also integral parts of the festivities.
What countries have celebrated Father’s Day for the longest time and which for the least?
Countries Celebrating Father’s Day the Longest
- Catholic Europe (Since the Middle Ages): In countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, Father’s Day has been celebrated on March 19th, Saint Joseph’s Day, since the Middle Ages. Saint Joseph’s Day honors Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.
- United States (Since 1910): The modern celebration of Father’s Day in the United States began in Spokane, Washington, in 1910, initiated by Sonora Smart Dodd. The U.S. played a significant role in popularizing the holiday globally.
Countries Celebrating Father’s Day for the Least Time
- Estonia (Since 1992): Father’s Day was officially recognized in Estonia in 1992, making it a relatively recent addition compared to other countries. It is celebrated on the second Sunday in November.
- South Korea (Since 1973): Father’s Day in South Korea is combined with Mother’s Day into a single Parents’ Day, celebrated on May 8th. This holiday was officially designated in 1973.
Notable Mentions
- Nepal: Celebrates “Kushe Aunsi,” also known as Gokarna Aunsi or Father’s Day, based on the lunar calendar, typically in late August or early September. This tradition has deep cultural roots but is not aligned with the Western calendar.
- Thailand: Celebrates Father’s Day on December 5th, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, since it was designated during his reign. This holiday honors both the King and fathers nationwide.
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