When Is Mother's Day in 2026

When Is Mother's Day in 2026

Wondering when Mother's Day 2026 is? See exact dates for US, UK and top countries, plus origins, traditions and 10 joyful ways to celebrate with your family.

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By Babysense Expert

Published March 7, 2026

When Is Mother's Day in {year} main image

Mother's Day 2026 falls on different dates around the world. Below you will find the exact day for the US, the UK and other major countries, plus a quick history, local traditions and easy ideas to celebrate.

  • United States: Sunday, May 10, 2026 (second Sunday in May).
  • United Kingdom (Mothering Sunday): Sunday, March 15, 2026 (fourth Sunday of Lent).
  • Canada, Australia, New Zealand: Sunday, May 10, 2026 (second Sunday in May).
  • France: Sunday, May 31, 2026 (last Sunday in May).
  • Spain: Sunday, May 3, 2026 (first Sunday in May).
  • Mexico:May 10, 2026 every year (fixed date).
  • Norway: Sunday, February 8, 2026 (second Sunday in February).
  • Poland:May 26, 2026 every year (fixed date).
Key 2026 dates at a glanceNorwayFeb 8MorsdagUK & IrelandMar 15Mothering SundaySpain & PortugalMay 3First SundayUS, CA, AU, NZ, DE, IT, JPMay 10Second SundayFrance & SwedenMay 31Last SundayDates verified with national holiday references and time and date.

When is Mother's Day {year}?

In the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Mother's Day 2026 is on Sunday, May 10. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mothering Sunday is on Sunday, March 15. France and Sweden observe on Sunday, May 31. Mexico celebrates every year on May 10.

Mother's Day 2026 dates by country

Country

Date in 2026

Typical rule

United States

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

United Kingdom

Sun, Mar 15, 2026

Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday).

Canada

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Australia

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

New Zealand

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Ireland

Sun, Mar 15, 2026

Mothering Sunday (fourth Sunday in Lent).

Germany

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

France

Sun, May 31, 2026

Last Sunday in May.

Spain

Sun, May 3, 2026

First Sunday in May.

Italy

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Japan

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Mexico

Sun, May 10, 2026

Fixed date every year (May 10).

Netherlands

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Belgium

Sun, May 10, 2026*

Second Sunday in May; Antwerp region also marks Aug 15.

Denmark

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Finland

Sun, May 10, 2026

Second Sunday in May.

Portugal

Sun, May 3, 2026

First Sunday in May.

Norway

Sun, Feb 8, 2026

Second Sunday in February.

Sweden

Sun, May 31, 2026

Last Sunday in May.

Poland

Tue, May 26, 2026

Fixed date every year (May 26).

South Korea

Fri, May 8, 2026

Parents’ Day rather than Mother’s Day (fixed May 8).

* Belgium: most regions follow the second Sunday in May; Antwerp also marks 15 August.

Origins of Mother's Day

Modern Mother’s Day began in the United States in the early 1900s, led by Anna Jarvis, who organized the first formal church service in 1908. In 1914, the day became a national observance.

Jarvis later campaigned against the holiday’s growing commercialization, arguing it should be a personal expression of gratitude.

In the UK and Ireland, Mothering Sunday is older. It falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent and traces to visiting the “mother church” during the 16th century.

Other countries set their own patterns: Mexico fixed the date at May 10, while Norway chose the second Sunday in February. France celebrates on the last Sunday in May, shifting only if it conflicts with Pentecost.

How different countries celebrate

  • United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand: cards, flowers and family meals are common; many communities host brunches and school-made crafts.
  • United Kingdom & Ireland: church services for Mothering Sunday are typical, often followed by a family roast; the day is tied to the Lenten calendar.
  • Mexico: families mark Día de las Madres on May 10 with music and flowers, sometimes serenading mothers with “Las Mañanitas.”
  • France:Fête des mères is often celebrated with a home-cooked lunch and gifts; the date is set by national tradition to the last Sunday in May.

10 relaxing and exciting ways to celebrate Mother's Day in 2026

Relaxing ideas

  1. Breakfast-in-bed kit: keep it simple with fruit, yogurt and coffee. Add a handwritten note.
  2. At‑home spa hour: draw a bath, set calm music and light a candle.
  3. Photo rewind: print 10 favorite photos and create a mini album together.
  4. Slow picnic: pack easy finger foods and a cozy blanket at a nearby park.
  5. Unplug window: give Mom two device‑free hours and run point on the household.

More upbeat ideas

  1. Brunch trail: try a new cafe, then stroll a local garden or farmers market.
  2. Memory walk: revisit a place that means something to your family and retake an old photo.
  3. Mini class: book a pottery, baking or flower‑arranging workshop.
  4. Backyard movie: string lights, queue a favorite film and make popcorn.
  5. Give back together: assemble care kits for a local shelter or NICU families.

Product spotlight If you’ll be celebrating with a newborn at home, a clear view can bring peace of mind while Mom relaxes. The Babysense Prisma non‑Wi‑Fi video baby monitor offers split‑screen, night light and a built‑in sound machine. 

FAQ

In the US it is on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the second Sunday in May.

The UK observes Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday in Lent, tied to the church calendar. The US date is the second Sunday in May, rooted in Anna Jarvis’s campaign.

No. Many countries use a Sunday rule that changes the date each year. Some have fixed dates, such as Mexico on May 10 and Poland on May 26.

Both celebrate on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the second Sunday in May.

France observes Fête des mères on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

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