When is Grandparents Day? National Grandparents Day in the United States is the first Sunday after Labor Day, and the next one falls on Sunday, September 12, 2027. It is one of the quieter dates on the calendar, which is exactly why a countdown helps: it is easy to miss, and grandparents notice when you remember.
How the date is worked out
Labor Day is the first Monday in September, so Grandparents Day is the Sunday six days later. That puts it between September 7 and September 13 every year, right as kids settle into the new school year.
The woman behind the day
National Grandparents Day grew out of the efforts of Marian McQuade, a mother of 15 from West Virginia who had dozens of grandchildren of her own. Beginning in 1970, she campaigned to honor grandparents and to encourage young people to get to know older adults, including those living alone or in nursing homes. West Virginia’s governor proclaimed a state Grandparents Day in 1973, and other states followed. In 1978, Congress passed legislation and President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.
McQuade wanted the day to be about time spent together rather than shopping. The day even has its own symbols: the forget-me-not as its official flower, and an official song, A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill.
Ideas to celebrate together
- Cook one of Grandma’s or Grandpa’s signature recipes together and write it down for the family.
- Record an interview about their childhood, first jobs or how they met.
- Go through old photo albums and label the pictures while they still remember the names.
- Have kids make a card or drawing, or plant forget-me-nots together.
- Living far away? Schedule a video call and play a game online together.
- Visit an older neighbor or a nursing home resident who may not have family nearby.
Is Grandparents Day a federal holiday?
No. It is a national observance proclaimed each year by the president, not a federal holiday, and because it falls on a Sunday it does not change business or school schedules. Many schools hold grandparent breakfasts or classroom visits on the days around it. Other countries pick different dates: in the UK, for example, Grandparents’ Day is marked on the first Sunday in October, and Canada marks Grandparents Day on the second Sunday in September.
A small reminder goes a long way
Add Grandparents Day to your calendar from this page, or share the countdown with cousins and siblings to plan a family visit. You could even create your own countdown to Grandpa’s birthday or the next family reunion and send the link so everyone can follow along.