When is Father's Day 2027?

Father's Day in the UK is Sunday 20 June 2027. It is always the third Sunday in June, so it falls between 15 and 21 June. In 2027 it is the day before the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Father's Day dates for 2026–2031

How the date is set

There is no law or church rule behind the date in the UK. Father's Day here follows the American custom of the third Sunday in June, which is why it doesn't move with Easter as Mother's Day does. The countdown above uses the same rule, so it rolls over to the next year by itself.

Where the day comes from

The first Father's Day is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who wanted a day to honour her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children on his own. Spokane held it on 19 June 1910. It spread slowly: the third Sunday in June became a permanent national observance in the US only in 1972, under a law signed by President Nixon. The HistoryLink essay covers the Spokane story.

Sending a card in time

Royal Mail does not deliver letters on Sundays, so a Father's Day card has to arrive by Saturday 19 June 2027. First Class aims to deliver the next working day, Monday to Saturday: post by the last collection on Thursday 17 June to allow a day's margin, or by Tuesday 15 June for Second Class, which aims for delivery within three working days.

Other countries' dates

The US, Canada and Ireland share the UK date. Australia and New Zealand celebrate on the first Sunday in September. Spain, Italy and Portugal keep it on 19 March, St Joseph's Day. If you're sending a card abroad, check the local date first.

Father's Day is not a bank holiday. As it is a Sunday, large shops in England and Wales open for up to six hours. For other dates through the year, see important dates or the 2027 calendar.

Frequently asked questions