When is National Grandparents Day?
National Grandparents Day in the US is the first Sunday after Labor Day. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and in 2027 it's on Sunday, September 12, 2027. When this page was last updated, on October 12, 2026, there were 335 days to go, which is about 47 weeks and 6 days. The counter at the top keeps ticking down in real time on your device, so it's always current.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 13 | Sunday |
| 2027 | September 12 | Sunday |
A little history
Marian McQuade of West Virginia campaigned for a day honoring grandparents, and President Jimmy Carter signed it into law in 1978. Its official flower is the forget-me-not.
How people celebrate
Kids make cards, families visit or video call, and some schools invite grandparents to class. A favorite idea of mine: ask grandparents to tell one story from when they were young and record it on your phone. You'll be glad to have it later.
Closures and practical notes
It's a Sunday observance, not a day off.
Planning tips
It isn't a day off for most people, so the real trick is planning around your normal week. Put a reminder in your phone a week before, and another two days before, so you're not scrambling the night before.
If you're buying anything for it, whether flowers, food, costumes or decorations, shopping a week or two early is cheaper and way less stressful than the last-minute rush.
How the countdown works
We count full calendar days from today's date to the holiday, using the clock on your own phone or computer, so it matches your local time zone. On the day itself the counter switches to the next year's date. Want to count to a birthday or deadline instead? Our days until any date page does that in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Grandparents Day 2027?
Sunday, September 12, 2027.
What day of the week is National Grandparents Day in 2027?
It's a Sunday (September 12, 2027).
When is Grandparents Day 2026?
Sunday, September 13, 2026.