When is Mother’s Day? UK and international dates explained

Introduction: Why ‘when is Mother’s Day’ matters

Knowing when Mother’s Day falls is important for planning celebrations, sending cards or arranging gifts. The date is not universal: different countries observe Mother’s Day on different days for cultural and historical reasons. Understanding these differences helps families, retailers and employers prepare appropriately.

Main details: How dates vary and why

United Kingdom – Mothering Sunday

In the UK, ‘Mother’s Day’ is commonly called Mothering Sunday. It falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter. Because its timing is tied to the movable Christian calendar, the exact date changes from year to year. The observance originates from a medieval tradition when people returned to their ‘mother church’ and later evolved into a day to honour mothers.

United States and many other countries

In many countries — including the United States, Canada, Australia and several European nations — Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday in May. This modern secular holiday traces much of its contemporary form to the early 20th century, with activist Anna Jarvis organising the first official Mother’s Day event in 1908 in the United States, and the US Congress designating it a national holiday in 1914.

Other dates and local variations

Some countries mark mothers on different days for historical or religious reasons. These local variations mean that if you ask ‘when is Mother’s Day’ it is important to check the date for the specific country concerned, or for the calendar year you are planning for.

Conclusion: What readers should do

Check your local calendar: for the UK look at the date of Easter and count back three weeks to the fourth Sunday of Lent; for many other countries check the second Sunday in May. Plan early for cards, gifts and bookings because retailers and services often see increased demand. Regardless of the date, the occasion is widely observed and remains an important annual opportunity to acknowledge and thank mothers and mother-figures in our lives.