1 February (Saturday) 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 (Sunday) 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.

2 February (Sunday) 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.

3 February (Monday) SETSUBUN/BEAN SCATTERING Japanese

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

8 February (Saturday) [or 15th (Saturday)] 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.

12 February (Wednesday) 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.

12 February (Wednesday) 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.

13 February (Thursday) TU B'SHEVAT Jewish

A popular minor festival which celebrates the New Year for trees. Jewish tradition marks the 15th of Shevat as the day when the sap in the trees begins to rise, heralding the beginning of spring.

14 February (Friday) 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 (Friday) (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.

23 February (Sunday) 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.

26 February (Wednesday) MAHASHIVRATRI Hindu

An annual Hindu festival, Maha Shivaratri gives reverence to the Lord Shiva god. The festival is also known as 'Great Night of Shiva' or 'Shivaratri