When Is International Men’s Day in 2026 and 2027?
International Men’s Day (IMD) is observed on November 19 every year. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, November 19, and in 2027 on Friday, November 19. It is an awareness day, not a public holiday, so schools, banks and offices stay open.
| Date | Name | Day | Week | Days left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 19, 2026 | International Men's Day 2026 | Thursday | 47 | 10 |
| November 19, 2027 | International Men's Day 2027 | Friday | 46 | 375 |
| November 19, 2028 | International Men's Day 2028 | Sunday | 46 | 741 |
| November 19, 2029 | International Men's Day 2029 | Monday | 47 | 1106 |
| November 19, 2030 | International Men's Day 2030 | Tuesday | 47 | 1471 |
Previous Dates: International Men’s Day 2022 to 2025
The date never moves, only the weekday changes. Use this table to check earlier years.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 19, 2022 | Saturday |
| 2023 | November 19, 2023 | Sunday |
| 2024 | November 19, 2024 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | November 19, 2025 | Wednesday |
When November 19 lands on a weekend, many organisations hold their events in the week before or after. The UK coordinators of the day state this on their own website, and the same flexibility applies everywhere.
Is Today International Men’s Day?
International Men’s Day happens only on November 19. If today is any other date, it is not IMD, and the countdown above shows how many days remain. The day after, November 20, is Universal Children’s Day.
What Is International Men’s Day?
International Men’s Day, also called World Men’s Day or simply Men’s Day, is a global awareness day that celebrates the positive contribution of men and boys and draws attention to issues affecting their health and wellbeing. Local names include Internationale Mannendag in Dutch, Journée internationale des hommes in French and Internationaler Männertag in German.
Unlike International Women’s Day, it is not officially recognised by the United Nations. It runs as a grassroots observance, supported by charities, employers, schools and community groups in dozens of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, South Africa, Singapore, Jamaica, Ghana and Malta.
Origins and History of International Men’s Day
Calls for a men’s day date back at least to the 1960s, when a 1969 New York Times article mentioned private pressure to make February 23 the male counterpart of March 8. Malta has held men’s day events since 1994.
The modern observance began on November 19, 1999. Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, revived the idea and chose that date. He picked it to honour his father’s birthday and to recall how Trinidad and Tobago’s football team united the country on that date in 1989 while chasing a place at the 1990 World Cup. He has described the day as open to all issues affecting men and boys, not as a rival to International Women’s Day.
The Six Pillars of International Men’s Day
The organisers define the day through six objectives, known as the six pillars:
- Promote positive male role models, from public figures to everyday men.
- Celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, childcare and the environment.
- Focus on men’s health and wellbeing: social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
- Highlight discrimination against men and boys.
- Improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
- Create a safer, better world where people can be themselves.
International Men’s Day Themes
Each year the day carries a headline theme alongside the six pillars. The global theme for 2025 was “Celebrating Men and Boys”. For 2026, the UK coordinators use “Supporting Men and Boys” with three recurring sub-themes: improving the wellbeing and lives of men and boys, raising awareness or funds for charities that support them, and promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity. You can read the full list on the UK International Men’s Day 2026 theme page.
Is There a National Men’s Day?
There is no separate “National Men’s Day” with its own official date. When people search for it, they almost always mean International Men’s Day on November 19, which countries simply observe at national level. In the United States, no federal law creates a men’s day, so it is not a federal holiday.
Several related observances sit close to it on the calendar. This table separates them, so you can plan the right date:
| Observance | Date | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| International Women’s Day | March 8 | Women’s rights and equality |
| Father’s Day (US and UK) | Third Sunday of June (June 21, 2026; June 20, 2027) | Honouring fathers |
| Movember | November 1 to 30 | Men’s health fundraising |
| International Men’s Day | November 19 | Men’s and boys’ wellbeing |
| World Toilet Day | November 19 | Sanitation (shares the date) |
| Universal Children’s Day | November 20 | Children’s rights |
Some people also search for an “International Men’s Month”. No official month exists, but November has become an informal men’s health month through Movember and No Shave November, both of which raise awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.
International Men’s Day Around the World
Each country adds its own emphasis. The sections below stand on their own, so you can jump to your own region.
International Men’s Day in the United Kingdom
The UK has one of the most active campaigns. Events run across the whole of November and include parliamentary debates, employer days, charity fundraisers, health days and student events. Many employers use the date to start or promote male staff networks and to open conversations about wellbeing at work.
International Men’s Day in the United States
The observance is not federal and carries no day off. It is led by universities, nonprofits, employers and community groups, often with a focus on mental health, fatherhood and positive role models.
International Men’s Day in Australia, India and Canada
In Australia, community organisations and men’s health groups use the day to promote health checks and family support. In India, schools, colleges, NGOs and workplaces mark it with talks, awareness campaigns and social media messages. In Canada, men’s health charities and employers run seminars and fundraising drives.
Men’s Health Issues Highlighted on November 19
Health is the most visible pillar. Awareness work usually concentrates on three areas.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Men are less likely to seek help for emotional distress, and the numbers reflect it. World Health Organization figures from 2019 show that more than twice as many males die by suicide as females. IMD campaigns encourage men to talk, check in on friends and use support services early. If you or someone close to you is struggling, contact a local crisis line or emergency service.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Awareness efforts urge men to discuss screening options with a doctor, particularly from middle age or with a family history, because early detection greatly improves outcomes.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a leading cause of death among men. The day promotes regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, physical activity, balanced eating, reduced smoking and stress management.
How to Celebrate International Men’s Day
You do not need a large event. These simple actions fit the spirit of the day:
- Check in: message a father, brother, friend or colleague and ask how he is really doing.
- Book a health check: schedule a long-overdue appointment or encourage someone else to.
- Run a workplace session: host a lunch talk, a wellbeing workshop or a team walk.
- Support a charity: donate to or volunteer with an organisation that supports men and boys.
- Teach in schools: discuss role models, emotional expression and respect with students.
- Share online: use the hashtag #InternationalMensDay and highlight a man who made a positive difference in your life.
Why the Day Draws Debate
Supporters argue that boys and men face distinct challenges, including higher suicide rates, shorter life expectancy in many countries and lower participation in some areas of education, and that a dedicated day opens conversations that otherwise stay private. Critics ask whether a separate day is necessary, or worry that it could distract from International Women’s Day and gender equality work. The organisers state that the day is not meant to compete with March 8, and one of its six pillars explicitly supports gender equality. The topic remains a matter of public discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions About International Men’s Day
Q: When is International Men’s Day 2026?
A: International Men’s Day 2026 is on Thursday, November 19. It is an awareness day, not a public holiday, and many groups also hold events in the weeks around it.
Q: When is International Men’s Day 2027?
A: International Men’s Day 2027 falls on Friday, November 19. The date is fixed every year, and only the weekday changes.
Q: Is International Men’s Day a public holiday?
A: No. It is not a public holiday in any major English-speaking country, so offices, schools and banks remain open as usual.
Q: Is there a National Men’s Day?
A: There is no separate official National Men’s Day. Searches for it usually refer to International Men’s Day on November 19, which countries observe at national level.
Q: Who started International Men’s Day?
A: Dr Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of the West Indies launched the modern observance in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1999, building on earlier calls for a men’s day.
Q: Why is International Men’s Day on November 19?
A: Dr Teelucksingh chose the date to honour his father’s birthday and to recall Trinidad and Tobago’s football team uniting the country on that day in 1989.
Q: What is the theme of International Men’s Day?
A: Themes change yearly. The global theme for 2025 was “Celebrating Men and Boys”, and the UK coordinators use “Supporting Men and Boys” for 2026.
Q: What is the difference between International Men’s Day and Father’s Day?
A: Father’s Day honours fathers and has a date that varies by country. International Men’s Day celebrates men and boys of every role and is always on November 19.
Chokri Hamouda runs Calendarena.com. He makes simple, printable calendar templates. His goal is to help people organize their time better. He updates the site with monthly and yearly calendars for users worldwide. Chokri focuses on making calendars that are easy to read and use. He also researches holidays and date systems to keep everything accurate.