LUU Cultural Calendar
Welcome to our LUU Cultural Calendar, which includes key international and national events alongside LUU staff events and dates for your diaries. We'll be adding new events regularly, so don't forget to check back.
Is there something you'd like to see added? Get in touch with the People Team via unihr@leeds.ac.uk.
November 2024
Friday 1 November - Saturday 30 November
Islamophobia Awareness Month
Islamophobia Awareness Month highlights the threat of Islamophobic hate crimes, and showcases the positive contributions of British Muslims to society.
Friday 1 November - Saturday 30 November
Movember
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide.
Friday 1 November - Saturday 30 November
National Diabetes Month
National Diabetes Month a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year's focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems.
Friday 1 November - Saturday 30 November
Transgender Awareness Month
Transgender Awareness Month is recognised worldwide as an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues faced by transgender people, advocate for trans rights and celebrate the trans community.
Friday 1 November
All Saints' Day
All Saints’ Day, is a Christian holiday that commemorates all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven.
Find out more: Catholic Online
Friday 1 November
Bandi Chhor Divas
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, who was freed from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor in 1619.
His release was not just about his own freedom; he also secured the liberation of 52 kings who were unjustly held captive. This day symbolises justice, freedom, and the Sikh values of compassion and equality.
Find out more: Touchstone
Saturday 2 November
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration.
Explore: dayofthedead.holiday
Saturday 3 November
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh
For Bahá'ís, the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh is a Holy Day celebrating the rebirth of the world through the love of God. `Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh, stated that during this holy day the community should rejoice together to increase the unity of the community.
Tuesday 5 November
Bonfire Night
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November" - sound familiar?
Read: History of Bonfire Night
Wednesday 6 November
National Stress Awareness Day
National Stress Awareness Day is an opportunity to think about the effects of stress, physically and mentally, as well as how we can manage feelings of stress.
Friday 8 November
Intersex Day of Remembrance
The Day marks the birthday of Herculine Barbin, a French intersex person whose memoirs were later published by the philosopher Michel Foucault, along with contemporary texts and a later fictionalized account.
Intersex Solidarity day is used to bring awareness to the issues faced by Intersex people and remember those Intersex people who we have lost along the way.
Learn more: interACT
Sunday 10 November - Sunday 17 November
Interfaith Week
Inter Faith Week aims to strengthen good interfaith relations, increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities, and increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.
Sunday 10 November
Remembrance Sunday
Held on the second Sunday of November, this day commemorates those who have lost their lives in wars and other military conflicts.
Monday 11 November
Armistice Day
Armistice Day commemorates the day in which an agreement was made to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, which began at 11am on 11 November 1918.
A two minute silence will be held at 11am.
There will be a ceremony held outside Leeds University Union from 10:50am - 11:05am.
Wednesday 13 November - Tuesday 19 November
Transgender Awareness Week
The week is focused on highlighting both the steps forward and the unfinished work in the fight for transgender and non-binary equality.
It leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is on the 20 November.
Explore: glaad.org
Wednesday 13 November
World Kindness Day
A global recognition of the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world.
Here's some ideas if you want to think of something new - Kindness Ideas.
Thursday 14 November - Friday 20 December
UK Disability History Month
The aim of DHM is to celebrate lives as Disabled People now and in the past, challenge Disabilism and achieve equality.
Visit: DHM
Thursday 14 November
World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.
Saturday 16 November
International Day of Tolerance
Starting in 1995 by UNESCO, International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day which aims to generate public awareness, emphasise the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education.
Monday 18 November - Friday 22 November
Winter WU Fest
The World Unite Festival (WU Fest) is an opportunity for UK Students and International students to make friends and share their culture, faith and traditions. Celebrating the diversity of Leeds, the festival will offer a selections of activities and events that will encourage students to consider differing perspectives on a variety of topics relevant to internationalisation.
Tuesday 19 November
International Men's Day
A day to celebrate and raising awareness of the contribution men and boys make to their communities, and raise awareness of men's mental health and wellbeing.
Visit internationalmensday.com to find out more.
Tuesday 19 November
Purple Tuesday
Purple Tuesday is a global social movement and initiative initiative that focuses on raising awareness about the challenges faced by disabled consumers and the need for accessible shopping and service environments.
Find out more: purpletuesday.co
Wednesday 20 November
Trans Day of Remembrance
A day to honour and remember the trans and gender-diverse people who have been murdered over the past 12 months.
To find out more visit tdor.tgeu.org/
Wednesday 20 November
World COPD Day
World COPD Day is a global healthcare event to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Thursday 21 November
World Pancreatic Cancer Day
On World Pancreatic Cancer Day shines a light on pancreatic cancer and building awareness of it through facts, stories, and what you can do to make an impact.
Find out more by visiting pancreaticcancer.org.uk
Sunday 24 November - Monday 25 November
Day of the Covenant
The Day of the Covenant is a Baha’i holy day honouring the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and, in particular, ‘Abdu’l-Baha (1844–1921) as the “Centre of the Covenant.”
Learn more: bahaiteachings.org
Monday 25 November - Tuesday 10 December
16 Days of Actions
Also known as 16 Days of Activism, it is a global campaign fighting against gender-based violence.
Find out more: 16 Days 16 Stories
Monday 25 November
White Ribbon Day
White Ribbon Day is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls.
Tuesday 26 November
Staff Winter Painting Session
From 1pm - 2pm in Room 6, there will be a craft session opened to all staff members. Come along to this session to paint your own bauble, or paint a mug or coaster.
Tuesday 26 November - Wednesday 27 November
Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha
The Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is a Baha’i holy day that commemorates the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Thursday 28 November
LUU Women's Collective Book Club
Open to members and allies, the Book Club is an opportunity to gather together and discuss the bimonthly chosen book. The chosen book for this bimonthly is How the Pill Changes Everything by Dr Sarah E. Hill
To find out more, head over to the Women's Collective Intranet Page.
Saturday 30 November
Shining Stars Deadline
The Shining Stars scheme is LUU’s way of ensuring that we recognise staff who have positively impacted their team and others in the organisation.
Nominate your colleagues for the categories of Inclusive, Empowering and Fun, and the winner in each category receives £100 to spend on a gift card of their choice.
Get your nominations in before Saturday 30 November. Click here to submit your nominations
Saturday 30 November
St. Andrew’s Day
Also known as the Feast of Saint Andrew, it is a Scottish celebration that celebrates the country's patron saint - St Andrew.
Find out more: visitscotland.com