Father's Day Around the World
Australian, Spanish, Portugese, Belgian and South African Traditions
Father's Day is celebrated on different days, and in different ways, around the world. Learn more about how other countries honor their fathers.
In the United States and Canada, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. While many other countries across the world honor fathers on this day, it is not the universal date for celebration. Father’s Day is celebrated in March, August, September, November and December in other parts of the world. When you plan your Father’s Day celebrations this year, consider adding one of these unique international Father’s Day traditions to your dad’s special day.
Breakfast in Australia
Australians celebrate Father’s Day on the first Sunday in September. While many of the Australian traditions are similar to those in the United States, most Australian fathers are greeted to a special breakfast. Whether dad gets a home-cooked breakfast in bed or the entire family goes out for breakfast, Father’s Day celebrations in Australia start with a fantastic breakfast. As the first Sunday in September approaches, make a special breakfast to honor your father with the Australians of the world.
St. Joseph’s Day
Countries with a large Catholic population typically celebrate Father’s Day on St. Joseph’s Day which occurs on March 19. While the way in which fathers are honored is similar to celebrations in countries without a large Catholic base, fathers in Spain, Portugal and even Belgium get to observe their special day before the majority of the rest of the world. On March 19, send your dad a card or letter telling him what he means to you and explain that other fathers in the world are celebrating Father’s Day on this day.
Picnics in South AfricaSouth Africans celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, but many families do so with a bit of a twist. The most popular activities that fathers in South Africa partake in on their special day are to go out for a family picnic or spend the day fishing. The weather is starting to turn cool in the southern hemisphere which makes an afternoon out a great way to spend the day. Depending on the weather where you live, having a Father’s Day picnic to honor your dad would be a great way to celebrate as the South Africans do.
Father’s Day is a day in which fathers, grandfathers and other paternal figures are celebrated around the world. Although the celebrations may not all fall on the same day, the reason for observing the day stays the same – honoring your father.
Add some fun international ideas to your Mother’s Day celebration by reading Mother’s Day Around the World.
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