When Is Mother’s Day Celebrated Worldwide?

Understanding Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday

Mother’s Day, an American holiday established in the 20th century, differs significantly from Mothering Sunday, an ancient Christian holiday tied to fasting and Easter.

In the US, Mother’s Day is recognized on the second Sunday of May. Conversely, Mothering Sunday in the UK falls in March, precisely three weeks before Easter. Despite these differences, both days celebrate the profound influence of mothers worldwide, with a slight majority of 56 out of 104 countries opting for the modern May date.

Explore all Mother’s Day holidays in our comprehensive database.

Global Observance of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a significant event around the world:

• 104 countries celebrate Mother’s Day.
• 77 of these countries observe it in May, 13 in March, and 14 during other months.
• An impressive count of 200 million people enjoy a day off during this holiday.

When discussing Mother’s Day, the singular form ("Mother’s Day") is preferred in 79 countries, compared to the plural ("Mothers’ Day") in 22.

Varying Dates of Mother’s Day Around the World

The timing of Mother’s Day celebrations varies significantly worldwide:

• The earliest observance takes place in Norway on the second Sunday of February.
• The latest celebrations occur in Montenegro and Serbia at the end of December.
• Most other nations select either May or March for their celebrations.

Key Dates to Remember:

1. March 10, 2024: Mothering Sunday in the UK, nestled between Ash Wednesday and Easter, highlights a return to the mother church—the church of baptism.
2. May 12, 2024: Mother’s Day in the USA, emerging from the peace movements of the American Civil War.
3. August 12, 2024: Thailand’s Mother’s Day coincides with the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the revered “mother of the nation.”

Note: In 15 countries, Mother's Day is a national or public holiday, impacting around 200 million people.