When is Mother's Day 2026

Mother's Day is a time when we celebrate the mums in our lives. Be they your mum, grand mum, or mother-in-law, this is the day to spoil them and let them know how much you appreciate all they do for you all-year-round. 

The date of Mother's Day changes in many places each year, so in the UK it's in March and the USA it's May. Mother's Day has grown up from many local traditions around the world, and below you can find dates and the reasons for Mother's Day in the countries you're interested in.

If you're writing a Mother's Day card, you may also be interested in our original Mothers Day card messages, that will help make her day that bit more special.  Carry on reading for more dates, and history, or follow the jump links down the page to read on:

When is Mother's Day, UK 2026

In the UK, Mother's Day is Sunday the 15th March 2026

 

Why Mother's Day is celebrated in the UK

Mother's Day in the UK, traditionally known as "Mothering Sunday," originated from a Christian practice that involved visiting one's mother church annually during Lent. Held on the fourth Sunday of Lent, this gradually became more of a family day, as young apprentices and servants, who typically lived away from home for work, were given a day off to visit their mothers and families.

Over time, it evolved from being religious time to more of a celebration similar to Mother's Day in the US. It then became more about mothers, giving them presents, typically flowers and "mothering cakes" or simnel cakes, a type of fruitcake with marzipan. Interestingly, the popularity of Mothering Sunday in the UK is often credited to Constance Smith, inspired by Anna Jarvis's establishment of Mother's Day in the United States. Smith campaigned for the day's recognition, leading to its widespread acceptance as a day to celebrate and thank mothers across the country.

 

When is Mother's Day, USA 2026

In the USA, Mother's Day is Sun, 10 May 2026

 

Why Mother's Day is celebrated in the USA

Mother's Day in the United States originated in the early 20th century and is largely credited to Anna Jarvis. It was inspired by her own mother's wish to see a day dedicated to honouring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. No hints going on there, then! 

Anna began a campaign to establish such a national holiday and in 1908, she organized the first official Mother's Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia.

In 1914, after Jarvis' continued campaign, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. As you'd expect when it is endorsed by a president, Mother's Day quickly became a popular celebration, involving the giving of flowers, cards, and other gifts to mothers.

Jarvis later became disillusioned with the commercialization of Mother's Day. She spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar, dismayed by how the day had shifted focus from sentiment to profit in the form of flowers, greeting cards, and other gifts. 

 

 

The origins and traditions of Mother's Day in other countries:

Rather like in the UK and USA, Mother's Day has often evolved from local or religious traditions. Even if not officially 'Mother's Day' as we know it, these are times to celebrate and appreciate mothers. 

Here are some of them, and how they are celebrated:

• Austria:
  Origin: Adopted from the American version in the early 20th century.
  Celebration: Flowers, gifts, and cards are commonly given.

• Bangladesh:
  Origin: A recent adoption, influenced by the global spread of the holiday.
  Celebration: Observed in urban areas with gifts, cards, and flowers.

• Belgium:
  Origin: Adopted from the American holiday in the early 20th century.
  Celebration: Celebrated with gifts and flowers. In Antwerp, also celebrated on August 15, aligning with the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary.

• Brazil:
  Origin: First celebrated in 1918, influenced by the American holiday. Gained popularity by the 1930s.
  Celebration: Significant holiday with family gatherings and gift-giving.

• Bulgaria:
  Origin: Aligned with International Women's Day, celebrated since the early 20th century.
  Celebration: Appreciation shown through gifts and flowers.

• China:
  Origin: A relatively new phenomenon, influenced largely by Western culture in the 20th century.
  Celebration: Increasingly observed in urban areas, often with gifts and meals.

• Croatia:
  Origin: A relatively recent adoption, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Flowers and handmade gifts are common.

• Cyprus:
  Origin: Influenced by the American holiday.
  Celebration: Gifts and flowers, often celebrated with a family meal.

• Czech Republic:
  Origin: First celebrated in 1923, influenced by the American version.
  Celebration: Involves giving flowers and small gifts.

• Denmark:
  Origin: Began celebrating in the early 20th century, influenced by the American holiday.
  Celebration: Flowers, particularly red carnations, are given.

• Estonia:
  Origin: Started celebrating in the 1920s, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Involves flowers, gifts, and special attention.

• Finland:
  Origin: Roots in the early 20th century, influenced by American and European traditions.
  Celebration: Cards, flowers, and breakfast in bed are common. Graves of deceased mothers are often visited.

• France:
  Origin: Officially declared in 1950, with roots going back to the early 20th century.
  Celebration: Marked by gifts, cards, and family gatherings.

• Germany:
  Origin: Started in the early 1920s, influenced by the American holiday.
  Celebration: Involves giving gifts, cards, and flowers.

• Greece:
  Origin: Began being celebrated in the 1950s, influenced by the American version.
  Celebration: Honour mothers with gifts and flowers, often accompanied by a family meal.

 

• Hungary:
  Origin: First celebrated in the 1920s, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Handmade gifts, poems, and flowers are given.

• India:
  Origin: Primarily influenced by the Western version of the holiday, becoming popular in the last few decades.
  Celebration: Growing popularity in urban areas, marked by gifting and special attention to mothers.

• Indonesia:
  Origin: First declared in 1953, as part of the women's movement in Indonesia.
  Celebration: National holiday focusing on women's roles in Indonesian society, along with traditional practices of honouring mothers.

• Ireland (Mothering Sunday):
  Origin: Roots in the Christian tradition, originally a day when people returned to their 'mother church'.
  Celebration: Celebrated with gifts, flowers, and family gatherings.

• Italy:
  Origin: First celebrated in 1957, inspired by the American holiday.
  Celebration: Children give gifts, flowers, and handmade items.

• Latvia:
  Origin: First celebrated in 1922, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Celebrated with flowers, usually roses, and small gifts.

• Lithuania:
  Origin: A relatively recent adoption, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Marked by giving flowers and small gifts.

• Luxembourg:
  Origin: Influenced by neighbouring countries and the American tradition.
  Celebration: Flowers, gifts, and cards are commonly given.

• Malta:
  Origin: Influenced by the British tradition and later the American model.
  Celebration: Gifts, flowers, and cards are common.

• Mexico:
  Origin: First celebrated in 1922, partly influenced by the American holiday and the Catholic Church.
  Celebration: A major event with family gatherings and special attention to mothers.

• Netherlands:
  Origin: Adopted Mother's Day in the early 20th century, influenced by American customs.
  Celebration: Involves giving gifts, cards, and flowers.

• Nigeria (Mothering Sunday):
  Origin: Has roots in the Christian tradition of Mothering Sunday.
  Celebration: Often has religious connotations, with churches holding special services.

• Pakistan:
  Origin: A recent phenomenon, influenced by global trends and Western culture.
  Celebration: Increasingly observed, particularly in urban areas.

• Poland:
  Origin: Began in the 1920s and has since become an important family holiday.
  Celebration: Children present gifts and handmade cards.

• Portugal:
  Origin: Influenced by the American holiday, gaining popularity in the 20th century.
  Celebration: Celebrated with gifts and family gatherings.

• Romania:
  Origin: A relatively new celebration, influenced by Western traditions.
  Celebration: Children often give small gifts, flowers, and handmade cards.

• Russia:
  Origin: Established in 1998 by Presidential decree.
  Celebration: Celebrated with children giving small gifts and flowers.

• Slovakia:
  Origin: Influenced by Western traditions and is a relatively recent observance.
  Celebration: Celebrated with flowers and small gifts.

• Slovenia:
  Origin: Influenced by Western traditions and is a relatively new celebration.
  Celebration: Marked by giving flowers and handmade gifts.

• Spain:
  Origin: Influenced by the American holiday and has been celebrated since the early 20th century.
  Celebration: Celebrated with gifts, flowers, and often poems.

• Sweden:
  Origin: Started celebrating in the early 20th century, influenced by American and European traditions.
  Celebration: Involves giving flowers, gifts, and cards.

• Ukraine:
  Origin: Established Mother's Day in 1999, following the example of many other countries.
  Celebration: Involves giving flowers and gifts.

International Mother's Day dates around the world in 2026

Mother's Day is celebrated in various forms around the world at different dates. These have many different origins and some are just the closest thing to Mother's Day in those countries. 

Date	Countries
08/02/2026	Norway
17/02/2026	Israel. While not traditionally known as Mother's Day, "Family Day" (previously known as Mother's Day) is celebrated on Shevat 30 in the Jewish calendar, which usually falls in January or February.
03/03/2026	Georgia
08/03/2026	Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burundi, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Laos, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam (coincides with International Women's Day)
15/03/2026	United Kingdom, Ireland, Nigeria, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man (This is the 4th Sunday of Lent)
21/03/2026	Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
25/03/2026	Slovenia
07/04/2026	Armenia
17/04/2026	Nepal
03/05/2026	Angola, Cape Verde, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Mozambique, Romania, São Tomé and Príncipe
08/05/2026	South Korea (Parent's Day)
10/05/2026	Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala
10/05/2026	Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cuba, Curaasao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, Papa New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sint Maarten, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzinia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganada, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
10/05/2026	Sri Lanka
10/05/2026	Maldives
10/05/2026	Benin
10/05/2026	Anguilla
10/05/2026	Antwerp
15/05/2026	Paraguay
17/05/2026	Kyrgyzstan
26/05/2026	Poland (Dzień Matki)
27/05/2026	Bolivia
30/05/2026	Nicaragua
31/05/2026	Algeria, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, France, Madagascar, Haiti, Mauritius, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sweden, Tunisia
01/06/2026	Mongolia (Mother's & Children's Day)
14/06/2026	Luxembourg
07/07/2026	South Sudan
12/08/2026	Thailand (coincides with Queen's birthday)
15/08/2026	Costa Rica
14/10/2026	Belarus
15/10/2026	Malawi
18/10/2026	Argentina
03/11/2026	Timor Leste
16/11/2026	North Korea
29/11/2026	Russia
01/12/2026	Iran (Mother's Day in Iran is celebrated on the 20th of Jumada al-Thani, the sixth month in the Islamic calendar. )
08/12/2026	Panama
22/12/2026	Indonesia - coincides with the 25th anniversary date of the 1928 Indonesian Women Congress
10/05/2026	Sri Lanka

 

Say Happy Mother's Day in different languages

Say Happy Mother's Day in over forty languages. Could make the day rather long-winded, though, right?

Country	Language	"Happy Mother's Day"
Austria	German	Alles Liebe zum Muttertag
Bangladesh	Bengali	মা দিবসের শুভেচ্ছা (Mā dibōsēra śubhēccā)
Belgium	Dutch/French	Gelukkige Moederdag / Bonne Fête des Mères
Brazil	Portuguese	Feliz Dia das Mães
Bulgaria	Bulgarian	Честит Ден на майката (Chestit Den na maykata)
China	Mandarin	母亲节快乐 (Mǔqīn jié kuàilè)
Cornwall	English / Cornish	Happy Mother's Day / Dy' Sadorn Vamm ha Lowen
Croatia	Croatian	Sretan Majčin dan
Cyprus	Greek	Καλή Ημέρα της Μητέρας (Kalí Iméra tis Míteras)
Czech Republic	Czech	Šťastný Den matek
Denmark	Danish	Glædelig Mors Dag
Estonia	Estonian	Palju õnne emadepäevaks
Finland	Finnish	Hyvää äitienpäivää
France	French	Bonne Fête des Mères
Germany	German	Alles Liebe zum Muttertag
Greece	Greek	Καλή Ημέρα της Μητέρας (Kalí Iméra tis Míteras)
Hungary	Hungarian	Boldog anyák napját
India	Hindi	मातृ दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ (Mātṛ divas kī śubhkāmnāen)
Indonesia	Indonesian	Selamat Hari Ibu
Ireland	English/Irish	Happy Mother's Day / Lá na Máithreacha sona duit
Italy	Italian	Buona Festa della Mamma
Latvia	Latvian	Priecīgu Mātes dienu
Lithuania	Lithuanian	Su Motinos diena
Luxembourg	Luxembourgish	Schéinen Mammendag
Malta	Maltese	Il-ġurnata tal-omm it-tajba
Mexico	Spanish	Feliz Día de la Madre
Netherlands	Dutch	Gelukkige Moederdag
Nigeria	English	Happy Mother's Day
Pakistan	Urdu	ماں کے دن کی مبارکباد (Maa ke din ki mubarakbaad)
Poland	Polish	Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji Dnia Matki
Portugal	Portuguese	Feliz Dia da Mãe
Romania	Romanian	La mulți ani de Ziua Mamei
Russia	Russian	С Днем Матери (S Dnem Materi)
Scotland	English / Scottish Gaelic	Happy Mother's Day / Latha na Màthair sona dhut
Slovakia	Slovak	Šťastný Deň matiek
Slovenia	Slovene	Srečen materinski dan
Spain	Spanish	Feliz Día de la Madre
Sweden	Swedish	Grattis på mors dag
Ukraine	Ukrainian	З Днем матері (Z Dnem materi)
United States	English	Happy Mother's Day
Welsh	English / Welsh	Happy Mother's Day / Sul y Mamau hapus