Mother's Day 2026: date and countries

Dates by country

Mother's Day 2026 by country
Country	Date	Local name
Latvia	Sun 10 Mayweekend	Mātes diena
Lithuania	Sun 3 Mayweekend	Motinos diena

What is Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is a day for honouring mothers and motherhood, celebrated in many countries with flowers, cards, small gifts and family meals. It is a Sunday observance rather than a public holiday in most countries, so it normally does not bring an extra day off, and shops and restaurants are open and often busy. The day is often celebrated by schools and kindergartens with performances and handmade gifts, and the date differs between the two neighbouring Baltic countries, so greetings across the border may arrive on different Sundays. It is a good example of a holiday which has spread through shared culture rather than through a single legal act.

The date and the history vary by country. In Lithuania it falls on the first Sunday of May, and in Latvia on the second Sunday of May, and children often make cards and sing songs at school beforehand. In the United States it is the second Sunday of May, and in the United Kingdom, Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is a different tradition. Other countries use fixed dates in March, May or December. Children often give flowers, particularly in spring colours, and many families hold a lunch or a walk. Florists and cake shops report that the days around the holiday are among the busiest of the year.

Why it is observed

The modern Mother's Day goes back to the United States, where Anna Jarvis campaigned for a day honouring mothers after the death of her own mother in 1905, holding a first service in West Virginia in 1908. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as a national day in 1914. The idea spread widely in the twentieth century, and different countries adopted either the American date or a local one, linked sometimes to religious feasts, such as the Annunciation, or to national events. The Baltic dates follow the May pattern.

How the date is set

The date depends on the country. In Lithuania, Mother's Day is the first Sunday of May, and in Latvia it is the second Sunday of May. Other countries use other dates; in the United States it is the second Sunday of May.

How it is observed

Because it falls on a Sunday, Mother's Day is not a public holiday in Lithuania or Latvia, and shops, restaurants and public transport operate as usual on the day. Florists and restaurants are especially busy, so it is wise to book tables ahead. In a few countries that celebrate on other dates, Mother's Day is a public holiday. Pay and time off depend on national law and the contract. Check the date in your country. Because it is held on a Sunday, shops can open as usual, but many families dine out, so restaurants are busy. Visitors should book tables in advance if they plan to eat out on the day.

Questions

Good to know

When is Mother's Day in 2026?

The date differs by country: Latvia 10 May 2026; Lithuania 3 May 2026.

Which countries observe Mother's Day?

In our coverage: Latvia, Lithuania. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is Mother's Day observed?

The modern Mother's Day goes back to the United States, where Anna Jarvis campaigned for a day honouring mothers after the death of her own mother in 1905, holding a first service in West Virginia in 1908. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as a national day in 1914. The idea spread widely in the twentieth century, and different countries adopted either the American date or a local one, linked sometimes to religious feasts, such as the Annunciation, or to national events. The Baltic dates follow the May pattern.

How is the date of Mother's Day set?

The date depends on the country. In Lithuania, Mother's Day is the first Sunday of May, and in Latvia it is the second Sunday of May. Other countries use other dates; in the United States it is the second Sunday of May.