The short answer
Father’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday, June 20, 2027, in the United States. That is because federal law sets Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June every year, so the date moves but the weekday never changes.
- When is Father’s Day 2027: Sunday, June 20, 2027 (US, UK, Canada, Ireland and many other countries).
- Is it always the third Sunday in June: Yes, in the US. A 1972 law made that rule permanent.
- Is it a federal holiday: No. It always lands on a Sunday and is not on the official federal holiday list.
- Who started it: Sonora Smart Dodd organized the first citywide celebration in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. However, a Fairmont, West Virginia, church held a one-time service for fathers in 1908.
- Next year: Father’s Day 2028 is Sunday, June 18, 2028.
June 20, 2027
Father’s Day 2027 in the US
72 million
Estimated fathers in the US (Census Bureau)
$27.9 billion
Projected 2026 Father’s Day spending (NRF)
1972
Year Father’s Day became permanent by law
In this article
Father’s Day, the annual day that honors fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and the father figures in our lives, comes around again on June 20, 2027. So if you want to plan early, this guide covers everything in one place: the exact Father’s Day 2027 date, the dates for the next five years, whether you get the day off, the real history behind the holiday, and how other countries mark it.
We checked every date and historical claim against primary sources, including the US Code, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM, the agency that publishes the federal holiday calendar) and presidential proclamations. Then, when you are ready to shop or plan, our four companion guides cover gifts, DIY crafts, card messages and things to do on the day.
When Is Father’s Day 2027?
Father’s Day 2027 is on Sunday, June 20, 2027. In fact, the US date is never a guess, because Title 36 of the US Code states plainly that “the third Sunday in June is Father’s Day” (36 U.S.C. 109).
Since June 1, 2027, falls on a Tuesday, the first Sunday of the month is June 6, the second is June 13, and the third is June 20. As a result, Father’s Day 2027 lands on the latest possible date in the June 15 to June 21 window it always occupies.
What day is Father’s Day this year?
Father’s Day 2026 has already passed; it fell on Sunday, June 21, 2026. So the next Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20, 2027, roughly eight months from now. If you are reading this in another year, check the date table below.
Is Father’s Day always the third Sunday in June?
Yes, in the United States it always is. Congress approved a joint resolution on April 24, 1972, that gave the observance the force of law, and President Richard Nixon then requested that June 18, 1972, be observed as Father’s Day in Proclamation 4127. However, other countries follow their own rules, which we cover further down.
Father’s Day 2027 and the Juneteenth long weekend
Here is a handy planning detail. Juneteenth (June 19) falls on a Saturday in 2027, so OPM lists the federal observance on Friday, June 18, 2027. That means many federal workers, and anyone else whose employer follows the federal calendar, get a three-day weekend that ends on Father’s Day 2027. In other words, it is a good year for a weekend trip with Dad.
Father’s Day Dates for 2027 to 2031
The US Father’s Day date always falls between June 15 and June 21, because it is the third Sunday of the month. Here are the next five years, plus Mother’s Day for comparison.
| Year | Father’s Day (US) | Day | Mother’s Day (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | June 20, 2027 | Sunday | May 9, 2027 |
| 2028 | June 18, 2028 | Sunday | May 14, 2028 |
| 2029 | June 17, 2029 | Sunday | May 13, 2029 |
| 2030 | June 16, 2030 | Sunday | May 12, 2030 |
| 2031 | June 15, 2031 | Sunday | May 11, 2031 |
Is Father’s Day a Federal Holiday?
No, Father’s Day is not a federal holiday. The OPM federal holiday list for 2027 includes 11 days, from New Year’s Day to Christmas Day, and Father’s Day is not one of them.
Instead, Father’s Day is a national observance. The law asks the President to issue a proclamation each year, calls on federal officials to fly the US flag on government buildings, and invites people to express “the abiding love and gratitude they have for their fathers.” Still, because it always falls on a Sunday, most people already have the day off.
Pro tip. If your dad works weekends in retail, health care or hospitality, he may be on shift on June 20, 2027. So ask about his schedule early and, if needed, move your celebration to Saturday or the Friday Juneteenth holiday.
Who Started Father’s Day? A Short History
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, gets the most credit for starting Father’s Day, because her campaign produced the first citywide observance on June 19, 1910. However, a church in Fairmont, West Virginia, held the first known service honoring fathers two years earlier, in 1908.
1908: Grace Golden Clayton and the Fairmont service
In December 1907, explosions at the Monongah coal mines near Fairmont killed more than 360 men, and most of them were fathers. Afterward, Grace Golden Clayton, a member of the local Methodist congregation, likely suggested a service to honor them. According to West Virginia Archives and History, the church held that worship service on July 5, 1908. The congregation, then Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, is now Central United Methodist Church. Even so, the Fairmont service was a one-time event and did not start an annual holiday.
1910: Sonora Smart Dodd and the Spokane celebration
Sonora Smart Dodd (1882 to 1978) was a Spokane mother, artist and poet. After her mother died in 1898, her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, raised all six children on his own. So in 1909, Dodd proposed a day for fathers. Two leaders of the local YMCA co-signed her petition and took it to the Spokane Ministerial Alliance. The YMCA first suggested June 5, her father’s birthday; however, the ministers needed more time, so they chose June 19, 1910, according to HistoryLink, Washington State’s online encyclopedia. On that day, preachers across Spokane gave sermons on fatherhood, and people wore roses to church to honor their dads.
1916 to 1972: from a local idea to federal law
The idea spread slowly. According to History.com, many men at first scoffed at a sentimental holiday built around flowers and gifts. Meanwhile, retailers saw an opportunity, especially during the Great Depression and World War II. Here are the key milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1908 | Fairmont, West Virginia, church holds a one-time service for fathers (July 5) |
| 1910 | Spokane, Washington, holds the first citywide Father’s Day (June 19) |
| 1916 | President Woodrow Wilson unfurls a flag in Spokane remotely by telegraph signal |
| 1924 | President Calvin Coolidge urges states to observe Father’s Day |
| 1966 | President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaims the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day |
| 1972 | Congress makes the day permanent (approved April 24); President Nixon proclaims June 18, 1972 |
| 1998 | The rule moves to its current home, 36 U.S.C. 109 |
Why Do We Celebrate Father’s Day?
We celebrate Father’s Day to thank the men who raise us, and that was Sonora Smart Dodd’s goal from the start. Mother’s Day already existed, so she wanted a matching day for a father like hers, who raised six kids alone.
Today, the day has grown well beyond biological dads. For example, families use it to honor stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, coaches, older brothers and single dads, as well as fathers who have passed away. In short, it is a day to name the specific things a father figure did for you, from teaching you to drive to showing up at every game.
Good fathers rarely look alike, but they tend to share a few habits. They show up consistently, they stay patient when things go wrong, and they teach by example. Also, they often show love through actions, such as fixing things, driving you places or quietly paying for something, rather than through words. That is exactly why so many people find Father’s Day a good moment to say out loud what usually goes unsaid.
When Is Father’s Day Around the World?
Many countries share the US date, the third Sunday in June. However, others follow religious or national traditions, so Father’s Day 2027 falls anywhere from March to December depending on where your dad lives.
| Country | Rule | Father’s Day 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Third Sunday in June | Sunday, June 20 |
| United Kingdom | Third Sunday in June | Sunday, June 20 |
| Canada | Third Sunday in June | Sunday, June 20 |
| Ireland | Third Sunday in June | Sunday, June 20 |
| India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa | Third Sunday in June | Sunday, June 20 |
| Australia and New Zealand | First Sunday in September | Sunday, September 5 |
| Spain, Italy, Portugal | March 19 (St. Joseph’s Day) | Friday, March 19 |
| Germany | Ascension Day (39 days after Easter) | Thursday, May 6 |
| Brazil | Second Sunday in August | Sunday, August 8 |
| Taiwan | August 8 | Sunday, August 8 |
| Thailand | December 5 (late King Bhumibol’s birthday) | Sunday, December 5 |
For example, if you are in the US and your dad lives in Sydney, you can celebrate twice: once on June 20 and again on September 5. Also note that in Germany, Father’s Day (Vatertag) shares the date with Ascension Day, a public holiday there.
How to Celebrate Father’s Day 2027
The best way to celebrate Father’s Day 2027 is to match the plan to your dad: a gift if he likes things, an outing if he likes experiences, and a heartfelt card no matter what. That mix also reflects what Americans actually do; according to the National Retail Federation (NRF, the largest US retail trade group), greeting cards, clothing and special outings topped 2026 Father’s Day shopping plans.
Then use our companion guides to fill in the details. Your Father’s Day 2027 guide starts here:
1. Gifts: the classic choice
If your dad appreciates a thoughtful present, start with our Father’s Day gifts guide, which sorts ideas by budget, hobby and recipient, from grillers and golfers to new dads and grandpas.
- Best for: dads with clear hobbies, or anyone shopping for a husband or grandpa
- Plan by: early June, so you leave room for shipping
2. DIY gifts and crafts: the personal touch
Homemade gifts cost little and often mean the most, especially from kids. Our DIY Father’s Day gifts and crafts guide groups projects by age, from toddler handprints to cards older kids can design themselves.
- Best for: families with young children and tight budgets
- Plan by: the weekend before, so glue and paint have time to dry
3. Quotes and card messages: the words he will keep
A card is the single most popular Father’s Day purchase in the NRF survey. So if you are stuck on what to write, browse our Father’s Day quotes, messages and wishes for funny, sentimental and memorial options.
- Best for: everyone, including long-distance families
- Plan by: a few days before, or the morning of for a text message
4. Things to do: brunch, outings and surprises
Many dads would rather spend time together than unwrap anything. For brunch menus, at-home plans and outdoor activities, see our Father’s Day ideas and things to do.
- Best for: dads who say they want nothing
- Plan by: late May if you need a restaurant booking, because popular spots may book up
Father’s Day for Stepdads, Grandpas and Father Figures
Yes, Father’s Day is for stepdads, grandpas and other father figures too; the law does not define who counts as a father, so families define it broadly. According to the US Census Bureau, about 29 million of the nation’s estimated 72 million fathers are also grandfathers.
Shoppers clearly think beyond Dad as well. In the NRF 2026 survey, 45% planned to buy for a father or stepfather, while 25% planned to buy for a husband, 13% for a son, 10% for a brother, 8% for a friend and 7% for a grandfather. So here are a few simple ways to include everyone:
- Stepdads: a note that thanks him for choosing your family often means more than any gift.
- Grandpas: ask him to tell a family story, then record it on your phone so you keep it.
- New dads: his first Father’s Day deserves a photo of him with the baby, plus a nap.
- Husbands: let the kids lead the plan, and then handle the logistics yourself.
- Late fathers: visit a meaningful place, cook his favorite meal or share a memory with family.
Watch out. Father’s Day can be hard for people who have lost a dad, have a strained relationship, or are hoping to become parents. So if you post or plan publicly, keep it inclusive, and check in on friends who may find the day difficult.
What Should You Tell Your Dad on Father’s Day?
Tell your dad something specific: one thing he taught you, one memory you treasure, and one way he still helps you today. Specific thanks lands better than a generic “happy Father’s Day,” because it shows you noticed.
If you need a starting point, try finishing one of these sentences in a card, a text or in person:
- “I still think about the time you…”
- “You taught me how to… and I use it more than you know.”
- “I never said thank you for… so thank you.”
- “I am proud to be your kid because…”
- “I am sorry about… and I appreciate how you handled it.”
- “The best advice you ever gave me was…”
- “I love you, Dad.” (Many dads rarely hear it, so say it anyway.)
Also, timing matters. A short call in the morning sets the tone for the whole day, while a longer letter works best when he can read it privately. For ready-made wording, including funny lines and messages for husbands and grandpas, see the quotes guide linked above.
Father’s Day by the Numbers
Father’s Day is now one of the bigger US spending events of the year. In its June 10, 2026, release, the NRF projected record Father’s Day spending of $27.9 billion, up from the previous record of $24 billion in 2025.
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fathers in the US | About 72 million | US Census Bureau |
| Fathers who are also grandfathers | About 29 million | US Census Bureau |
| Projected 2026 spending | $27.9 billion | NRF |
| Average planned spend per person (2026) | $226.58 (up from $199.38 in 2025) | NRF |
| Consumers planning to celebrate (2026) | 77% | NRF |
| Top planned gifts (2026) | Greeting cards 60%, clothing 58%, special outing 55%, gift cards 52% | NRF |
In other words, about three in four Americans mark the day in some way, and most spend on a card plus at least one gift or outing. Still, the numbers also show that a card remains the most common choice, so a thoughtful message alone puts you in good company.
Our verdict
Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 20, 2027. Father’s Day 2027 falls at the end of the Juneteenth long weekend for many workers, so it is an unusually good year for a trip, a big family meal or a full day together. Since it is not a federal holiday but always falls on a Sunday, you rarely need to take time off.
Above all, remember why Sonora Smart Dodd pushed for this day in 1910: to thank a father who simply showed up. So whatever you plan, pair it with specific words of thanks. Then, when it is time to shop or plan, start with our gifts, DIY, quotes and ideas guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Father’s Day 2027?
Father’s Day 2027 is on Sunday, June 20, 2027, in the United States. US law sets Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, so it always falls between June 15 and June 21. The UK, Canada, Ireland, India and Mexico also celebrate on June 20, 2027, while Australia and New Zealand celebrate on September 5, 2027.
Is Father’s Day always the third Sunday in June?
Yes, in the United States it is. A joint resolution of Congress approved on April 24, 1972, made the observance permanent, and the rule now sits in 36 U.S.C. 109. Other countries use different dates, such as March 19 in Spain and Italy or the first Sunday in September in Australia.
Is Father’s Day a federal holiday?
No. Father’s Day does not appear on the federal holiday list published by the Office of Personnel Management. It is a national observance instead, and the President issues a proclamation each year. Because it always falls on a Sunday, most people are already off work, so a federal day off would add little.
Who started Father’s Day?
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, is usually credited. Her father raised six children alone, so she campaigned for a day to honor fathers, and Spokane held its first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. Earlier, on July 5, 1908, a Fairmont, West Virginia, church held a one-time service for fathers suggested by Grace Golden Clayton.
Why do we celebrate Father’s Day?
We celebrate Father’s Day to thank fathers and father figures for raising, guiding and supporting us. Sonora Smart Dodd wanted a counterpart to Mother’s Day after watching her widowed father raise six children. Today, families also use the day to honor stepdads, grandfathers, mentors and fathers who have passed away.
When is Father’s Day 2028?
Father’s Day 2028 is on Sunday, June 18, 2028, in the United States. After that, it falls on June 17, 2029, June 16, 2030, and June 15, 2031. Each date is the third Sunday in June, so you can always work it out by counting three Sundays from the start of the month.
