Father’s Day When Is Father’s Day? 1 Dates, History and Celebrations

Father’s Day is a special holiday that honors fathers and father figures. Many countries celebrate it with gifts, cards, and family gatherings.

People often ask “when is Father’s Day” or even search “father’s day when is father’s day.” In the United States and many other nations, Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June, but the exact date changes each year. 

Father’s Day Dates (2020–2025): The holiday always lands on the third Sunday of June. Here are the exact dates for recent years:

• 2020: Sunday, June 21, 2020
• 2021: Sunday, June 20, 2021
• 2022: Sunday, June 19, 2022
• 2023: Sunday, June 18, 2023
• 2024: Sunday, June 16, 2024
• 2025: Sunday, June 15, 2025

These dates follow the third-Sunday ruletimeanddate.com. For example, in 2025 Father’s Day fell on June 15, and in 2024 it was June 16timeanddate.com.

In 2023 the date was June 18timeanddate.com.) Each year the calendar shifts but the observance stays in June on Sunday. 

This directly answers queries like “father’s day when is father’s day” by listing the exact dates.) If you typed “father’s day when is father’s day” in a search engine, this list provides the answer. (Even after reading, if you wonder “father’s day when is father’s day,” remember it is on the third Sunday of June.)

Father’s Day has a unique history. The very first Father’s Day celebration in the United States took place on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Smart Dodd organized the event to honor her widowed father who raised six children by himselfhistory.com.

At that time, Mother’s Day was already being celebrated, and Sonora wanted a day to honor fathers as well. The holiday grew slowly: in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson honored Father’s Day, and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge urged states to observe it.

However, it was not until 1972 that Father’s Day became a nationwide U.S. holiday (President Richard Nixon signed it into law)history.com. According to History.com, “the nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Washington” and it only became an official observance decades later history.com. Sonora Dodd’s campaign firmly established the date in June. As TimeandDate.com explains, Father’s Day in the United States is celebrated on the third Sunday of June timeanddate.com. Today, Father’s Day is observed not just in the U.S., but around the globe on that June day timeanddate.com.

Father’s Day Around the World

Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide, but not always on the same date. Many countries follow the U.S. tradition and hold it on the third Sunday in June. According to TimeandDate.com, “Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children.” In more than 50 countries (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and India), Father’s Day is observed on the third Sunday of June timeanddate.com. 

However, some countries have their own Father’s Day traditions. For example:

• In Australia and New Zealand, Father’s Day is the first Sunday in September.
• In many Catholic countries (like Spain and Italy), it falls on March 19 (Saint Joseph’s Day).
• In Thailand, it coincides with the king’s birthday (e.g., December 5).
• Other countries (such as Colombia, Peru, or Guatemala) celebrate in March or August.

The date when Father’s Day is celebrated varies by country timeanddate.com. In any event, the common thread is honoring father figures with gratitude. Typical observances include giving gifts or cards and spending quality time together. Many people share photos or messages on social media to thank their dads. In some communities, special church services or local events recognize fatherhood. (In other words, typing “father’s day when is father’s day” into Google is simply asking for a date, and that date is given above for each country that uses June.)

Significance and Traditions

Father’s Day gives families a chance to recognize the role of fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other male role models. The holiday emphasizes the importance of fatherhood and parenting. People use the day to express love and gratitude. Typical traditions include:

• Cards and Gifts: Many give greeting cards, gifts, or flowers. Popular gifts include ties, gadgets, clothing, sports gear, or a homemade card timeanddate.com.
• Family Time: Families often have a special meal, barbecue, or outing. Some bring Dad breakfast in bed or cook his favorite dinner.
• Father-Child Activities: Children may plan activities like games, hikes, or movie days with dad.
• Religious Services: Some churches hold special services or blessings for fathers.

Father’s Day is widely celebrated but usually not an official public holiday. According to TimeandDate.com, “Father’s Day is not a federal holiday. Organizations, businesses and stores are open or closed, just as they are on any other Sunday” in the U.S. timeanddate.com. (In Arizona and a few places it is recognized as a state holiday, but otherwise daily life continues as usual.)

How to Celebrate Father’s Day

Celebrating Father’s Day can be simple or elaborate, depending on your tradition. Here are some ideas:

• Personal Gifts: Cards, books, a photo album, or something your father enjoys (like golf gear or grilling tools).
• Experiences: Plan a day out together – a picnic, hike, fishing trip, or a visit to a museum or sports event.
• Crafts and Messages: Children can make handmade cards or crafts at home. Many schools encourage students to prepare something special for Dad.
• NowGoTrending: For trending gift ideas or articles on holiday celebrations, check out NowGoTrending.

Remember that Father’s Day is about showing appreciation. Even a simple phone call or video chat can mean a lot, especially if you’re far away. If you searched for “father’s day when is father’s day,” this article has provided the dates and background you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is Father’s Day celebrated each year?
A: Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The exact date changes yearly (e.g., June 16, 2024; June 15, 2025) because it depends on the calendar timeanddate.com. (In other words, any search “father’s day when is father’s day” is answered by the dates above.) 

Q: Who started Father’s Day?
A: Father’s Day in the U.S. began with Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. In 1910 she held the first Father’s Day celebration to honor her father. This origin story is noted by History.com history.comhistory.com. 

Q: How is Father’s Day celebrated globally?
A: Many countries honor it with gifts and family time, though dates vary. TimeandDate.com notes over 50 countries celebrate on the third Sunday of June timeanddate.com. Others, like Australia or Spain, use different dates. The common thread is honoring father figures. 

Q: Is Father’s Day a public holiday?
A: No, Father’s Day is usually not an official public holiday. Businesses and schools generally remain open. In the U.S., it’s not a federal holiday timeanddate.com. 

Q: What are good Father’s Day gift ideas?
A: Popular gifts include tech gadgets, books, clothing, or items related to Dad’s hobbies. Personalized gifts, like custom photo frames or handmade cards, are also popular. For the latest ideas, visit NowGoTrending, which features trending gift guides and tips. 

Q: What does “father’s day when is father’s day” mean?
A: This phrase is often a search query asking about the date of Father’s Day. The answer is that Father’s Day always falls on the third Sunday of June. (The dates are given above for 2020–2025.) 

Father’s Day is a meaningful way to celebrate and thank the dads and father figures in our lives. Whether with a heartfelt card, a thoughtful gift, or spending time together, the day reminds us of the importance of fatherhood and family. 

Sources: Historical details from History.com history.comhistory.com; dates and global celebration facts from TimeandDate.com timeanddate.comtimeanddate.com.

Citations

Father’s Day 2025 in the US

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/fathers-dayFather’s Day 2025 in the US https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/fathers-dayHolidays and Observances in the United States in 2023 https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/2023Father’s Day – Date, Definition & History | HISTORY https://www.history.com/articles/fathers-dayFather’s Day – Date, Definition & History | HISTORY https://www.history.com/articles/fathers-dayFathers’ Day https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/father-dayFathers’ Day https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/father-dayFather’s Day 2025 in the US https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/fathers-dayFather’s Day 2025 in the US https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/fathers-day