February dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
2nd Imbolc, Pagan/Wicca
Falling at the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, this ancient festival marks the beginning of spring. Where Christianity and the old traditions have merged, the day is also celebrated by honouring St Brigid. Traditionally, straw dolls were made in her image and beds laid out in each home, to welcome her visit and blessing of the livestock.
18th Lailat al Miraj, Islamic
Lailat al Miraj remembers the Prophet Mohammed’s ascension into heaven. It is celebrated by Muslims across the world, with special prayers and a telling of the story, in which the Prophet received instructions from God for the Salat, the requirement for Muslims to pray five times per day.
22nd Ash Wednesday, Christian
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. It is observed by attending special services at church, where ashes are used to mark people’s foreheads. These are made by burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday, the weekend before. Christians often leave the ash on their foreheads all day as a public profession of their faith.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
2 – Imbolc*/Candlemas – Wicca and Pagan
3 – Setsunbun-sai – Shinto
5 – Triodion begins – Orthodox Christian
5 – Thaipusam – Hindu
6 – Tu BiShvat – Judaism
12 – Sunday of the prodigal son – Orthodox Christian
14 – Valentine’s day – Christian
15 – Nirvana day – Buddhist
18 – Maha Shivratri – Hindu
Lailat al-Miraj – Islam
19 – Meatfare Sunday – Orthodox Christian
21 – Losar begins – Buddhist
21 – Shrove Tuesday – Christian
22 – Ash Wednesday (start of Lent)- Christian
22 – Feast of the chair of Saint Peter – Catholic Christian
26 Feb-1 Mar – Intercalary days – Baha’i
26 – Cheesefare Sunday – Orthodox Christian
27 – Great Lent begins – Orthodox Christian
Awareness and events
1 – World Hijab Day
1-7 – World Interfaith Harmony Week
2 – Time To Talk Day
4 – World Cancer Day
6 – International Day Of Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation
6-12 – UK Race Equality Week
6-12 – Children’s Mental Health Week
7 – Safer Internet Day
11 – International Day Of Women And Girls In Science
12 – Red Hand Day For Child Soldiers
15 – International Childhood Cancer Day
17 – World Human Spirit Day
20 – World Day Of Social Justice