In the UK, Mother’s Day is Mothering Sunday: the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday. Because Easter moves, Mother’s Day can land anywhere from early March to early April. That is why it often catches people out when friends in the US or Australia post about Mother’s Day in May.

Father’s Day is simpler. It is the third Sunday of June, the same day as in the US, Canada and Ireland.

Days like these are a good excuse to call, visit, or take your mum out for Sunday lunch, even when nothing else is planned.

Relationship days

Day20262027
Valentine's Day For love and romance
Mother's Day For mothers and mother figures
Father's Day For fathers and father figures
International Day of Friendship The UN day of friendship
Wife Appreciation Day For wives

Global days

Day20262027
Halloween An evening of costumes and treats
New Year's Eve The last night of the year

Christian

Day20262027
Good Friday The crucifixion of Jesus
Easter Sunday The resurrection of Jesus
All Saints' Day Remembering those we have lost
St Nicholas' Day Small gifts, often for children
Christmas Eve The night before Christmas
Christmas The birth of Jesus

Hindu

Day20262027
Diwali The festival of lights

Islamic

Day20262027
Eid al-Adha The festival of sacrificeExpected Expected
Eid al-Fitr The end of RamadanNo date listedExpected

Buddhist

Day20262027
Vesak Honoring the BuddhaNo date listed

Expected dates follow the moon and can move by a day. They are confirmed closer to the time.

Notes on UK dates

  • Mothering Sunday follows Easter, so it moves every year. The table shows the UK date, not the May date used in many other countries.
  • Halloween and New Year’s Eve sit under Global days because they are kept in much the same way in many countries.
  • Diwali, Eid and Vesak are listed for families who keep them. Eid dates depend on the moon and are confirmed closer to the time.