February
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans (LGBT) History Month
2 - Candlemas (Christianity)Celebrates Jesus being the Light of the World, represented by candles.
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3 - Rissun (or Setsubun)
Rissun is a Japanese traditional celebration that marks the beginning of spring and is known as the bean-throwing festival. When celebrated at home, a male of the family will scatter roasted beans, saying "demons out, good luck in" .
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4 - UNICEF Day for Change
Day for Change 2012 focuses on UNICEF's Education through Sport programme in Uganda. They use sport and play to improve the health and happiness of children.
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4 - Milad un Nabi (Islam)
Muslim holy day, to honour the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, some Muslims celebrate this 5 days later.
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6-10 - Apprenticeship Week 2012
Highlights the talents and skills of Apprentices and celebrates the value of Apprenticeships.
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8 - Parinirvana (Buddhism)
Marks the anniversary of Buddha's death. Used as a time for Buddhists to reflect on their inevitable death in the future. Celebrated either on this day or 15th February.
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8 - Tu B'shevat
The Jewish New Year for trees - for religious accounting purposes all trees have their anniversaries on this festival, regardless of when they were planted.
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14 - Saint Valentine's Day (Christian)
Christian (and also non-religious) holiday celebrating love and fertility often involving the giving of gifts.
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20 - Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)
Hindu celebration in honour of Lord Shiva, involving a day and night of fasting and ritual worship.
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20-26 Student Volunteering Week
Brings organisations from all sectors together to celebrate volunteering contributions by students in further and higher education.
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21 - International Mother Language Day 2012
Annual celebration of language diversity worldwide, also remembers people who have been denied the right to use their mother language officially.
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21 - Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)
Unofficially known as Pancake Day, it is the day before the start of Lent, for Christians.
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22 - Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
The start of 40 days of Lent, for Christians. Traditionally 40 days to prepare them for celebration of Holy Week; the death and resurrection of Jesus.
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27 - Clean Monday - Beginning of Lent (Orthodox) (Christian)
The start of the "Great Lent" for Orthodox Christians. This day is called Clean Monday, and occurs seven weeks before Orthodox Easter.
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