1 February (Thursday) IMBOLC/CANDLEMAS Pagan

Imbolc/Candlemas celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun.  Snowdrops, which appear at this time of the year, are seen as the heralds of spring.

2 February (Friday) THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD/ OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE/CANDLEMAS Christian

Congregations hold lighted candles to recall the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and Mary’s following Jewish tradition after the birth of a son.  His recognition by the aged Simeon is expressed in the words of the Nunc Dimittis.

3 February (Saturday) SETSUBUN/BEAN SCATTERING Japanese

The day for the Bean Scattering ceremony, performed both in homes and in temples.

8 February (Thursday) THE PROPHET'S NIGHT JOURNEY and ASCENT / LAILAT UL ISRA WA-L-MIRAJ Muslim

This marks the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad through the heavens to the presence of God, when the command that Muslims should pray five times a day was given to the Prophet. The rock from which the Prophet ascended is now in Jerusalem’s ‘Dome of the Rock’.  Muslims mark this night by reading the Qur’an and saying additional prayers.

9 February (Friday) NIRVANA DAY Jain

Marks the anniversary of Nirvana (final release) or liberation of Mahavira's soul, the twenty fourth and last Jain Tirthankara of present cosmic age.

10 February (Saturday) NEW YEAR FESTIVAL/CHUNJIE/YUAN TAN Chinese

Celebrations last for three or more days, and involve fireworks, dances (e.g. the famous Lion Dance) and gifts of paper money, flowers and sweets.   Business accounts are settled and all debts paid before the New Year begins.

2024 is the year of the Dragon.

10 February (Saturday) SONAM LOSAR [NEPAL] Buddhist

is a new year festival of the Tamang and Hyolmo people of  Nepal and the Sikhism and Darjelling regions of India. It falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

13 February (Tuesday) SHROVE TUESDAY Christian (Western Churches)

‘Shrove’ relates to absolution from sin. Nowadays it is a day for eating and enjoyment.  In Britain it is called ‘Pancake Day’, as pancakes use up all the rich foods before Lent. Elsewhere it is known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), and is a time for carnivals and fairs.

13/14 February (Tuesday-Wednesday) SARASVATI PUJA/VASANT PANCHAMI Hindu

Widely celebrated in North India, this festival marks the beginning of spring.  For Hindus it is usually linked with Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts.  Yellow is her associated colour.

14 February (Wednsday) SAINT VALENTINE National

February 14 is celebrated as a "day of love". There are a number of stories one of which is from ancient Romans who may be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day

14 February (Wednesday) ASH WEDNESDAY Christian (Western Churches)

This first day of Lent recalls the temptations Jesus faced for forty days in the wilderness.   In Catholic and some Anglican churches, worshippers' foreheads are marked with a cross of ash made from burning the palm crosses of the previous year – hence ‘Ash Wednesday’.

14 February (Wednesday) - 28th March (Thursday) LENT Christian (Western Churches)

A period of forty days fasting and self-discipline (not counting Sundays) that leads up to Easter. Traditionally Christians give up something during this time to mark the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Many Christians feel it is a time for study groups, prayer and Bible reading.

15 February (Thursday) [or 8th (Thursday)] PARINIRVANA Buddhist

Mahayanists mark the final passing away from this world of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagara, India, at the age of 80. Pure Land Buddhists call this Nirvana Day.

23 February (Friday) EMPEROR'S BIRTHDAY Japanese

The Emperor's Birthday is an annual Public holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of the reigning Emperor, which is currently 23 February as Emperor Naruhito was born on that day in 1960.

24 February (Saturday) MAGHA PUJA Buddhist

1,250 enlightened disciples came to the Bamboo Grove on the full moon of Magha. The Buddha predicted his death and gave a summary of his teachings and a code of discipline which all monks are expected to recite every fortnight. The day is observed with meditation, chanting and listening to sermons.

24 February (Saturday) LANTERN FESTIVAL/YUANXIAOJIE/TENG CHIEH Chinese

The Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the year and the lengthening of the days. Strings of lanterns in various designs are hung up indoors and outside as decoration.

25 February (Sunday) (14th Sha'ban) THE NIGHT OF FORGIVENESS / LAILAT-UL-BARA'AH Muslim
BIRTHDAY of 12th IMAM, Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdi (Shi‘a)

Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins at this time.  Many hold that on this night a person’s destiny is fixed by Allah for the coming year. The night is spent in prayer, asking for forgiveness and God’s guidance. Some fast during the daytime in preparation.  In certain parts of the world Muslims visit the graves of relatives, and the giving of charity is also traditional. In many places the night is marked with firework displays.