When Is Father’s Day 2027? It is Sunday, June 20, 2027. In the United States, Father’s Day is always the third Sunday of June — so in 2027, mark the third Sunday of the month, which falls on June 20. If you are planning gifts, brunch, or a family gathering, this page has everything else you need: how the date is calculated, the full list of upcoming Father’s Day dates through 2035, the fascinating history of the holiday, and how the rest of the world celebrates dads on different days.
The Short Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is Father’s Day 2027? | Sunday, June 20, 2027 |
| How is the date determined? | Always the third Sunday of June (US) |
| When was Father’s Day 2026? | Sunday, June 21, 2026 (already passed) |
| When is Father’s Day 2028? | Sunday, June 18, 2028 |
| Is it a federal holiday? | No — but it is a congressionally established national observance |
How the Father’s Day Date Is Determined
Unlike holidays fixed to a calendar date (like the Fourth of July, always July 4), Father’s Day in the United States is defined by a rule: the third Sunday in June. That is why the date shifts between June 15 and June 21 each year.
The rule exists because of a presidential proclamation. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day, and in 1972 President Richard Nixon signed it into permanent law. The “third Sunday” formula was chosen partly to mirror Mother’s Day, which is the second Sunday in May — giving the two holidays a parallel structure that is easy to remember: moms get the second Sunday of May, dads get the third Sunday of June.
To find it yourself in any year: look at a June calendar, find the Sundays, and count to the third one. In June 2027, the Sundays are June 6, June 13, and June 20 — so Father’s Day 2027 is June 20. Bookmark this page or save the dates table above, and you will always have the answer ready.
Father’s Day Dates: 2025–2035
Save this table — no more guessing:
| Year | Father’s Day date | Day of week | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 15, 2025 | Sunday | Passed |
| 2026 | June 21, 2026 | Sunday | Passed |
| 2027 | June 20, 2027 | Sunday | Upcoming |
| 2028 | June 18, 2028 | Sunday | Future |
| 2029 | June 17, 2029 | Sunday | Future |
| 2030 | June 16, 2030 | Sunday | Future |
| 2031 | June 15, 2031 | Sunday | Future |
| 2032 | June 20, 2032 | Sunday | Future |
| 2033 | June 19, 2033 | Sunday | Future |
| 2034 | June 18, 2034 | Sunday | Future |
| 2035 | June 17, 2035 | Sunday | Future |
The History of Father’s Day: How It Became a Holiday
Father’s Day did not arrive by proclamation alone — it took more than sixty years of advocacy, beginning with one determined daughter in Washington State.
1910: Sonora Smart Dodd’s idea in Spokane
The story starts with Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Raised — along with her five siblings — by her Civil War veteran father William Jackson Smart after her mother died, Dodd was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909 when the thought struck her: why is there no equivalent day for fathers? She petitioned local churches, shopkeepers, and government officials, and on June 19, 1910, Spokane celebrated the first Father’s Day. Dodd had originally suggested her father’s birthday in June, which is part of why the holiday landed in that month.
1910s–1920s: Slow national spread
The idea spread gradually through the 1910s and 1920s, but it struggled against a cultural headwind: many men of the era considered a sentimental tribute day unmanly, even laughable. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge gave the movement a major boost by publicly supporting a national Father’s Day, recommending that states observe it to strengthen father-child relationships.
1966: Johnson’s proclamation
After decades of lobbying — including by Dodd herself, who never stopped advocating — President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation in 1966 formally designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. It was still not permanent law, but it gave the holiday official federal recognition for the first time.
1972: Nixon signs it into law
In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed Father’s Day into law as a permanent national observance on the third Sunday in June. Sixty-two years after that first Spokane celebration, Sonora Smart Dodd’s idea was finally, officially, America’s Father’s Day. Dodd lived to see it — she passed away in 1978 at the age of 96.
Why it took so long
Historians point to a few reasons for the six-decade gap. Mother’s Day, established in 1914, had powerful commercial and cultural momentum that Father’s Day lacked. Early Father’s Day promotions were often viewed as crass commercialism rather than genuine sentiment. And mid-century norms around masculinity made public celebration of fatherhood a harder sell. What finally tipped it was persistence — Dodd’s lifetime of advocacy plus the postwar cultural shift toward celebrating involved fatherhood.
How the Rest of the World Celebrates Father’s Day
The third Sunday in June is the American formula, but dads get honored on very different days around the world:
| Country / Region | Father’s Day date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States, UK, Canada, France, Japan, India | Third Sunday in June | Same formula as the US |
| Australia, New Zealand | First Sunday in September | Spring timing in the Southern Hemisphere |
| Spain, Italy, Portugal | March 19 | Feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of fathers |
| Germany | Ascension Day (May, varies) | “Vatertag” — traditionally marked with outdoor excursions |
| Thailand | December 5 | Birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Russia | February 23 | Defender of the Fatherland Day honors fathers among others |
| Brazil | Second Sunday in August | Timed near St. Joachim’s feast day |
If your family spans countries, check both dates — a dad with Australian kids and American grandkids may well get celebrated twice, which is exactly as it should be.
Is Father’s Day a Federal Holiday?
This is a common point of confusion. Father’s Day is a national observance established by federal law, but it is not a federal holiday — meaning federal offices, banks, and the post office operate on normal Sunday schedules, and nobody gets the day off work because of it. It always falls on a Sunday anyway, which is part of why the distinction rarely matters in practice. The same is true of Mother’s Day.
Never Miss It Again: Reminder Strategies
Father’s Day sneaks up on people because June is busy — graduations, weddings, the end of the school year. A few systems that actually work:
- The two-week rule. Set a phone reminder for two weeks before (June 6, 2027) labeled “Father’s Day in 2 weeks — buy gift.” Two weeks is enough for shipping and enough distance to still feel relaxed.
- Pair it with Mother’s Day. When you buy the Mother’s Day card in May, buy the Father’s Day card at the same time. Future-you says thanks.
- Anchor it to an event. “Father’s Day is the Sunday after the second weekend of June” is easier to hold in memory than a shifting date. Or just remember: third Sunday, June, dads.
- Family group chat ping. Assign one sibling as the annual reminder-sender in early June. Rotating the duty keeps it fair.
Planning Ahead for June 20, 2027
Knowing the date early is a genuine advantage. With the date confirmed, you can:
- Book restaurants early. Popular brunch spots fill up for Father’s Day — reserve by early June. Our Father’s Day brunch ideas include hosting at home if you prefer to skip the crowds.
- Shop the sales. Father’s Day sales typically peak in the first two weeks of June. Watch our Father’s Day sales and deals guide for timing and the categories with the deepest discounts.
- Plan the day. A little structure turns a nice day into a memorable one — see our things to do on Father’s Day for 25+ ideas, or browse best family events in the USA if you want to make a weekend of it.
- Pick the gift. Start with our best Father’s Day gifts 2027 roundup, or go handmade with DIY Father’s Day gifts the kids can craft.
- Write the card. Do not leave this to the last minute — our Father’s Day card messages have 80+ options from heartfelt to funny.
- Make it a weekend. If family is traveling in, our Columbus Day weekend getaways guide — despite the name — has trip-planning frameworks that work for any holiday weekend escape.
- Honor grandpa too. If grandfather is part of the celebration, see our Father’s Day gifts for grandpa for picks tailored to him.
When Is Father’s Day 2027? FAQs
What day of the week is Father’s Day 2027?
Sunday — Father’s Day is always on a Sunday in the United States. In 2027 it is Sunday, June 20, 2027.
Why does the Father’s Day date change every year?
Because it is defined as the third Sunday in June rather than a fixed calendar date. Depending on how the calendar falls, the third Sunday lands anywhere from June 15 to June 21.
Who invented Father’s Day?
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, proposed the holiday in 1909 and organized the first celebration on June 19, 1910, to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone. She advocated for national recognition for the rest of her life.
When did Father’s Day become an official holiday?
President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in 1966, and President Richard Nixon signed it into permanent law in 1972.
Is Father’s Day celebrated on the same day worldwide?
No. While many countries (UK, Canada, France, Japan) use the third Sunday in June, others differ widely — Australia and New Zealand celebrate on the first Sunday in September, Spain and Italy on March 19, and Thailand on December 5.
What is the difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day dates?
Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May; Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June — about five weeks apart. In 2027, Mother’s Day is May 9 and Father’s Day is June 20.
Father’s Day vs. Mother’s Day: Side by Side
The two holidays are deliberately parallel — and usefully compared:
| Mother’s Day | Father’s Day | |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 date | Sunday, May 9, 2027 | Sunday, June 20, 2027 |
| Date rule | Second Sunday in May | Third Sunday in June |
| Established | 1914 (federal law) | 1972 (federal law) |
| Founder | Anna Jarvis | Sonora Smart Dodd |
| Federal holiday? | No (national observance) | No (national observance) |
| Traditional gifts | Flowers, brunch, jewelry | Cards, grilling gear, experiences |
The five-week gap between them is actually convenient: whatever system you build for remembering Mother’s Day in May can roll straight into Father’s Day planning in June. Buy both cards in the same trip, as suggested above, and you will never scramble for either. Planning the May celebration? Our Mother’s Day brunch ideas guide has menus and timelines that work as a template for June too.
How Americans Celebrate Father’s Day Today
A century after Spokane’s first celebration, Father’s Day has settled into familiar national rhythms. The greeting card remains the holiday’s backbone — Father’s Day is one of the biggest card-sending occasions of the year in the US, and the card aisle empties reliably in the second week of June. Beyond cards, the classic American Father’s Day has a recognizable shape:
- The meal is the centerpiece. Whether it is a restaurant brunch, a backyard barbecue, or dad’s favorite home-cooked dinner, food anchors the day. Families who grill often hand dad the tongs as an honor, not a chore — though plenty of dads prefer to be cooked for on their day.
- Phone calls spike. For adult children living far from home, the Father’s Day call is the main event. If distance separates you, schedule it — do not leave it to chance — and consider a video call so he can see the grandkids.
- Experiences beat objects. The modern trend, especially among millennial and Gen X gift-givers, leans hard toward shared activities: the ballgame, the fishing trip, the round of golf, the brewery tour. The gift is the date on the calendar as much as the thing itself.
- It is a group holiday. Unlike Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, Father’s Day is typically celebrated collectively — siblings coordinate, grandkids pile in, and the day often expands to include grandfathers and father figures. Group coordination is half the planning; start the group chat in early June.
- Schools get in early. The week before Father’s Day, American classrooms fill with handmade cards and crafts — the handprint art and coupon books from our DIY Father’s Day gifts guide are staples of the season. If you are a teacher planning crafts, mid-June timing means starting the projects the first week of the month.
June 2027: What Else Is Happening Around Father’s Day
Context helps planning. Father’s Day 2027 (June 20) sits in a busy stretch of early summer:
- Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19, 2027 — the day before Father’s Day. (June 19, 2027 is a Saturday; the federal observance rules may shift the observed day, but the date itself is June 19.) Families planning gatherings should note the back-to-back weekend.
- Summer solstice — the longest day of the year — falls around June 21, 2027, essentially coinciding with Father’s Day weekend. Long daylight hours are a gift to outdoor plans: barbecues, fishing trips, and evening ballgames all benefit.
- Graduation season winds down in mid-June, so late-June weekends are comparatively free of competing events — one reason Father’s Day gatherings are easier to schedule than Mother’s Day ones.
Why is Father’s Day in June?
Partly by historical accident and partly by design. Sonora Smart Dodd first proposed the holiday in honor of her father’s June birthday, so the earliest celebrations landed in June. When the holiday was formalized, the third-Sunday-in-June formula stuck — conveniently placing it in early summer, when outdoor celebrations, barbecues, and family gatherings are at their best.
Do I get the day off work for Father’s Day?
Not because of the holiday itself — Father’s Day is not a federal holiday, so there is no day off attached. But since it always falls on a Sunday, most people are off anyway. Plan any time-off needs around the weekend, not the holiday.
What should I do if Father’s Day 2027 conflicts with another event?
It happens — June is crowded. The good news: Father’s Day is about honoring dad, not about the specific Sunday. Celebrate the weekend before or after without guilt, and tell him in advance so he has the day to look forward to. A planned rain-check beats a stressed, squeezed-in observance.
Mark the Calendar
When Is Father’s Day 2027? Sunday, June 20, 2027 — the third Sunday of June, as it has been since 1972 and as it will be for decades to come. From Sonora Smart Dodd’s 1910 Spokane celebration to a permanent national observance, the holiday has always been about one simple thing: taking a day to tell fathers they matter. Now that you know the date, put the plan in motion: set that early-June reminder, browse the best Father’s Day gifts 2027, and give a 117-year-old idea the celebration it deserves.
