When Is Mother’s Day? – Dates for Every Country and Every Year
Mother’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated occasions on the calendar, but the date changes every year — and it varies significantly depending on where you live. In the United States, Canada, and Australia, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May. In 2026, that means May 10, 2026. In the United Kingdom, the tradition is older and tied to the Christian calendar, landing in March. In Mexico, the date never moves — it is always May 10, regardless of the day of the week. Read on for every date you need, for every year, for every country.
Mother’s Day 2026 Date
The most searched question right now: when is Mother’s Day in 2026?
| Country | 2026 Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | May 10, 2026 | Second Sunday of May |
| Canada | May 10, 2026 | Second Sunday of May |
| Australia | May 10, 2026 | Second Sunday of May |
| Germany | May 10, 2026 | Second Sunday of May |
| UK (Mothering Sunday) | March 22, 2026 | Fourth Sunday of Lent |
| Mexico | May 10, 2026 | Always May 10 (fixed) |
| France | May 31, 2026 | Last Sunday of May |
| Norway | February 8, 2026 | Second Sunday of February |
Quick answer: For most English-speaking countries, Mother’s Day 2026 is Sunday, May 10, 2026. In the UK, it is Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Mother’s Day Dates – Year by Year (USA)
Planning ahead? Here are the Mother’s Day dates for the United States (and Canada and Australia, which follow the same rule) from 2023 through 2030.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 14, 2023 | Sunday |
| 2024 | May 12, 2024 | Sunday |
| 2025 | May 11, 2025 | Sunday |
| 2026 | May 10, 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 9, 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | May 14, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | May 13, 2029 | Sunday |
| 2030 | May 12, 2030 | Sunday |
The date always falls between May 8 and May 14, because a “second Sunday” can be no earlier than the 8th and no later than the 14th of any month.
See the dedicated pages for more detail: Mother’s Day 2025 | Mother’s Day 2026
Mother’s Day Dates Around the World
Mother’s Day is a global tradition, but the date — and even the name — differs by country. The table below covers 15+ countries with their scheduling rules and 2026 dates.
| Country | Date Rule | 2026 Date |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Canada | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Australia | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| New Zealand | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Germany | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Austria | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Switzerland | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Belgium | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| South Africa | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| India | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Mexico | Always May 10 (fixed) | May 10 |
| El Salvador | Always May 10 (fixed) | May 10 |
| Guatemala | Always May 10 (fixed) | May 10 |
| United Kingdom | Fourth Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday) | March 22 |
| Ireland | Fourth Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday) | March 22 |
| France | Last Sunday of May (or first Sunday of June if it coincides with Whit Sunday) | May 31 |
| Norway | Second Sunday of February | February 8 |
| Sweden | Last Sunday of May | May 31 |
| Russia | Last Sunday of November | November 29 |
| Thailand | August 12 (Queen Mother’s birthday) | August 12 |
| Japan | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
| Argentina | Third Sunday of October | October 18 |
| Brazil | Second Sunday of May | May 10 |
Note: Dates are verified to the best of available knowledge. Some countries observe Mother’s Day unofficially or regionally, so local customs may vary.
For country-specific history, traditions, and gift ideas, see: Mother’s Day in the UK | Mother’s Day in Mexico
Why Is Mother’s Day on Different Dates?
The short answer: because the holiday has different origins depending on where you are.
The United States, Canada, Australia, and Most of the World
In the US, Mother’s Day as a modern holiday was founded by Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for a national day of recognition after her own mother’s death in 1905. It was officially proclaimed a national holiday in 1914. Jarvis and her supporters chose the second Sunday of May as a practical compromise — early enough in spring to feel seasonal, but with a fixed rule that is easy to remember and plan around. Many other countries around the world later adopted the same convention when they introduced their own versions of the holiday.
The United Kingdom: Mothering Sunday
The UK’s tradition is far older, rooted in 16th-century Christian practice. “Mothering Sunday” originally referred to a day when people returned to their “mother church” — the main church of their region. Over time it became associated with honoring mothers. Because it is tied to the fourth Sunday of Lent, it moves every year alongside the Easter calendar, typically falling in March.
Mexico: Always May 10
In Mexico, El Día de las Madres has been celebrated on May 10 every year since 1922, when the date was fixed by a newspaper campaign. Unlike most countries, Mexico does not use a floating Sunday; the holiday falls on the same calendar date regardless of what day of the week it is. The same fixed-date rule applies in Guatemala and El Salvador.
Explore by Year or Country
- Mother’s Day 2025 – Date and Countdown
- Mother’s Day 2026 – Date and Countdown
- When Is Mother’s Day in the UK?
- When Is Mother’s Day in Mexico?