When is International Day of Friendship?
International Day of Friendship 2027 is on Friday
Friday, July 30, 2027
July 30 every year. That's in 299 days.
until International Day of Friendship begins, in your time zone
The International Day of Friendship is a UN observance built on the idea that friendship between people, cultures and countries can strengthen peace. It encourages events that bring different communities together, with a special focus on young people.
About International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship treats friendship as more than a private matter. The UN sees ties between individuals and between peoples as a practical way to ease mistrust, bridge cultural and religious divides and make conflict less likely. The day asks governments, schools and community groups to hold activities that build mutual understanding, solidarity and respect for diversity.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed July 30 as the International Day of Friendship in 2011, in resolution 65/275. The resolution puts particular weight on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that bring different cultures together. It grew out of the UN's wider work on a culture of peace, an approach that turns away from violence and tries to head off conflict by tackling what causes it. UNESCO first proposed that idea, and the General Assembly took it up in 1997.
The UN date is not the only Friendship Day. In India, the United States and some other countries, many people celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August instead, a popular custom that is separate from the UN observance. In India especially, friends often exchange wristbands, cards and messages on that Sunday. Either way, the day is mostly marked through personal gestures, school programs and community events rather than official ceremonies.
Sources: United Nations: International Day of Friendship, General Assembly resolution 65/275 (2011). How we check dates.
How to mark International Day of Friendship
- Reach out to a friend you've lost touch with and set a time to catch up in person or by phone.
- Host a potluck or game night that mixes friends from different parts of your life, such as work, your neighborhood and your faith community.
- Join or organize a cultural exchange, language meetup or pen-pal project that connects people from different backgrounds.
- Encourage a school or youth group to start a buddy program that pairs new students or newcomers with someone who can show them around.
- Write a short note to a friend telling them specifically what their friendship has meant to you.
International Day of Friendship dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday, July 30, 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, July 30, 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, July 30, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, July 30, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, July 30, 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, July 30, 2030 |
| 2031 | Wednesday, July 30, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Friendship 2027?
International Day of Friendship 2027 is on Friday, July 30, 2027. It falls on July 30 every year. In 2028, it is on Sunday, July 30, 2028.
Is Friendship Day on July 30 or in August?
Both dates are used. The UN's International Day of Friendship is July 30, while India, the United States and some other countries popularly celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.
When did the UN create the International Day of Friendship?
The UN General Assembly proclaimed it in 2011 in resolution 65/275, which set July 30 as the date.
Is International Day of Friendship a public holiday?
No. International Day of Friendship is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.