How To Celebrate Father’s Day Around The World

Father’s Day is a day to honor, celebrate, and appreciate all the fathers and father figures in the world. In some countries, Father's Day is a public and a national holiday, while in others, it is a special day to remind your father or father figure how much you love him. However you choose to spend Father's Day, just remember to show your loved ones how much you care and love them.

The history of Father's Day is interesting and diverse, with some having religious connections. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the second Sunday before Nativity, known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, was used to celebrate Christ's forefathers. The tradition put special emphasis on Abraham, who is recognized as the father of Abrahamic religions.

In the Catholic parts of Europe, the celebration of Father’s Day dates back to 1508, typically observed on March 19th to honor the feast of Saint Joseph who was known as the adoptive father of Jesus. The Spaniards and Portuguese brought the custom to the Americas, and the Catholic Church has been actively celebrating it since then.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, the celebration of fatherhood dates back to the 5th Century. It is also celebrated on the same day as St. Joseph's feast day, however they celebrate it on July 20th.

The founding of Father's Day in the United States is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. One time, after hearing a Mother's Day sermon, Dodd was inspired to make an event that honors fathers, like her single father who was also a Civil War Veteran. As a result, she informed her local religious leaders about her plan, which they warmly approved. Unfortunately, the event did not start off well, but with Dodd's persistent advertising as well as the help of the New York's Associated Men's Wear Retailers' Father's Day Council, the occasion became a commercial success. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the decree in 1966, and President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

TLDR: The beginnings of Father's Day celebrations around the world have a long and winding history. Nevertheless, it is a great honor and privilege to commemorate the fathers and father figures in your life and around the world on Father's Day. And on this Father’s Day, spread some extra love and laughter to your father/s, father figure/s, and families.

Australia

Dates – September 4th 2022, September 3rd 2023, September 1st 2024, September 7th 2025

The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Australia 1922, but it was not until the 1960s that the Australian Commonwealth declared the day to be honored on the first Sunday in September. The day isn't a national holiday, but that doesn't stop many Australians from honoring their fathers and father figures.

Fun fact: The Father's Day Council of Australia was established in 1956 and has been honoring fathers and father figures who have had a significant and profound impact on the community.

United States of America

Dates – June 19th 2022, June 18th 2023, June 16th 2024, June 15th 2025

Father's Day was introduced in the United States to complement Mother's Day. The day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and it is a legally recognized state holiday in Arizona. In the United States, many people mark the occasion by giving gifts, hosting parties, and organizing outdoor activities in honor of their fathers and father figures.

Italy

Dates – March 19th 2022, March 19th 2023, March 19th 2024, March 19th 2025

In Italy, Father’s Day is held on March 19th which is the same day as the Feast of St. Joseph. The Feast of St. Joseph or Festa di San Giuseppe is a feast in honor of Joseph, who was the “earthly father figure” of Jesus and the husband of the Virgin Mary. In the Catholic tradition, Joseph is known as the ideal father and a role model for many men. Despite the fact that the celebration falls on the same day as the Catholic feast, many families have created their own customs, including a family get-together with plenty of delicious traditional Italian cuisine.

Germany

Dates – May 26th 2022, May 18th 2023, May 9th 2024, May 29th 2025

Vatertag is a public holiday enjoyed by all Germans that coincides with Ascension Day, which is forty days following Easter, marking the day of Jesus ascending into heaven. This day, often known as a boys' day out, is a day where men spend the entire day drinking beer. Groups of men can also be seen carrying decorated wagons loaded with beer as they enjoy the big day in the great outdoors. On the other hand, other families prefer to spend the day with their loved ones by going on a family vacation, visiting the zoo, or having a picnic.

Sweden

Dates – November 13th 2022, November 12th 2023, November 10th 2024, November 9th 2025

Since 1931, Sweden has celebrated Fars Dag or Father's Day, on the second Sunday in November. The custom was originally held in June, but it was moved to November to avoid competing with Mother's Day and to boost product sales before the Christmas rush. A typical Father’s Day gift in Sweden includes breakfast in bed, a tie, a pair of socks, a card, even a homemade cake.

South Korea

Dates – May 8th 2022, May 8th 2023, May 8th 2024, May 8th 2025

Instead of celebrating Mother's Day or Father's Day, South Koreans celebrate their parents on Parents' Day. This event takes place on May 8th in South Korea and on the fourth Sunday of July in the United States. The South Korean government declared May 8th as Mother's Day, but it was later changed to Parents' Day, which honors both parents (mother and father). Families spend time together on Parents' Day, and children give special gifts to their parents and grandparents to express their love and gratitude.