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.
March 2025
Saturday 1 March - Monday 31 March
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Every March we put ovarian cancer in the spotlight and work with our community to raise our voices, raise funds and create change for early diagnosis, research and support.
Find out more here.
Saturday 1 March - Monday 31 March
Endo The Night
Support those affected by endometriosis during awareness month this March by getting together for a night in!
Find out more: Endo The Night
Saturday 1 March
UN Zero Discrimination Day
UN Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.
Monday 3 March - Saturday 19 April
The Great Lent
The Great Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance, leading up to Easter in the Coptic Orthodox faith. It’s a time of spiritual discipline, reflection, and seeking closer communion with God.
Tuesday 4 March
Shrove Tuesday
Observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.
Wednesday 5 March - Thursday 17 April
Lent
Lent lasts for 40 days (not including Sundays), and is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for the celebrations of Easter. Some people fast, eat frugally or give up treats following the example of Jesus, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness.
Wednesday 5 March
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, in Western Christianity, is the first day of Lent, occurring six and a half weeks before Easter. The day is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God.
Thursday 6 March
Staff Voice
Our next Staff Voice Group is on Thursday 6 December.
The Staff Voice Group is a group of staff representatives who come together to receive info on key organisational matters, as well as provide feedback to LUU, give suggestions, and share company wide concerns.
Want to become a Staff Voice Rep? Contact the People Team.
Friday 7 March
Employee Appreciation Day
Employee Appreciation Day is a day where employers and managers take a moment to showcase their appreciation for the efforts and contributions of their employees. It’s a day to foster a positive work environment and strengthen the bond between employers and employees.
Click here to learn more about the recognition schemes we have here at LUU.
Saturday 8 March
International Women's Day
A worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions made by women.
Watch: #HerVoice
Thursday 13 March - Friday 14 March
Purim
Purim commemorates the time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.
Read more: Judaism - Purim
Friday 14 March - Sunday 16 March
Hola Mohalla
Hola Mahalla begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colours, Holi.
Friday 14 March
Holi
Holi is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times. The Holi Festival is celebrated as a way to welcome in spring, and also is seen as a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start fresh.
Watch: Holi
Saturday 15 March
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Designated by United Nations in 2022, the day aims to foster a culture of tolerance and peace, and highlights the importance of respecting human rights and diversity of religion and beliefs.
Monday 17 March - Sunday 23 March
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
A worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
Find out more here.
Monday 17 March
St Patricks Day
Celebration of the patron saint of Ireland.
Here is a typically St Patricks Day celebration in Dublin, Ireland.
Tuesday 18 March - Monday 24 March
Sign Language Week
A week of events celebrating 'Pride in BSL' and the culture and achievements of the people who use British Sign Language, 'the UK's fourth indigenous language'.
Find out more: Sign Language Week
Thursday 20 March
International Day of Happiness
This campaign is a global celebration to mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness.
Find out more: International Day of Happiness
Thursday 20 March
Naw-Rùz
Naw-Rúz is the Bahá'í new year festival and falls at the spring equinox. It symbolises the new life of spring and is usually observed with meetings for prayer and celebration.
Thursday 20 March
Ostara
Ostara (known as Spring Equinox) is a pagan celebration where the day is an equal balance of day and night. Ostara celebrates new beginnings and spring awakening.
Friday 21 March
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Originating in South Africa, it commemorates the anniversary of 69 peaceful protestors who were killed during a protest against the Apartheid pass laws. The day aims to shed light, bring awareness and show solidarity towards a global anti-racist movement.
Sunday 30 March - Monday 31 March
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. The religious holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.
Sunday 30 March - Monday 7 April
Vasant Navratri
Vasant Navratri is a nine-night Hindu celebration that honours Goddess Durga and her divine manifestations, and culminates the birth of Ram Navami, also known as Rama Navaratri.
Sunday 30 March
Mothers Day
A day to honour mothers and other mother figures, such as grandmothers, stepmothers and mothers-in-law.
Monday 31 March
Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event that is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.
April 2025
Tuesday 1 April - Wednesday 30 April
Stress Awareness Month
The aim of Stress Awareness Month is to help individuals and organisations recognise and reduce stress, fostering a happier, healthier, and more resilient world.
This year's theme is #LeadWithLove
Wednesday 2 April - Wednesday 30 April
Autism Acceptance Month
Beginning on Autism Awareness Day, the month is an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood, and empowered.
Wednesday 2 April
World Autism Awareness Day
The UN General Assembly declared this day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.
Find out more: World Autism Awareness Day
Sunday 6 April
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of the god Rama- hero of the Ramayana and seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. It is also the ninth and final day of the spring Vasant Navratri festival.
Learn more: Rudra Centre
Monday 7 April
World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated annually and draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
This year's campaign is on maternal and newborn heath, titled "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures"
Friday 11 April
World Parkinson's Day
#StartAConversation Every April, the Parkinson's Foundation engages the global Parkinson's community to support Parkinson's Awareness Month.
Find out more: World Parkinson's Day
Saturday 12 April - Sunday 13 April
Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu celebration that marks the birthday of the Lord Hanuman.
Saturday 12 April - Sunday 20 April
Passover (Pesach)
A major Jewish spring festival, celebrating freedom and family. The Passover story is of Moses and The Ten Plagues, you can read a summary here - The Passover Story in a Nutshell.
If you want to find out more visit - Everything you need to know about Passover.
Saturday 12 April
The Memorial of Jesus’ Death
Also known as the Lord's Evening Meal, it is an annual Jehovah’s Witness' commemoration of Jesus' death.
Sunday 13 April - Tuesday 15 April
Songkran
Songkran is an annual Thai festival. Events during the festival include water throwing, the ritual bathing of Buddha images, processions and performances. The final day of Songkran marks Thai new years day.
Find out more: Songkran
Sunday 13 April
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that celebrates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem the Sunday before his resurrection. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week, the remembrance of Jesus' last days.
Sunday 13 April
Theravada New Year
Theravada New Year is a Buddhist celebration that marks Buddha's birth, death, enlightenment. It is observed 3 days after the first full moon appears in April every year.
Read more: DharmaCrafts
Monday 14 April
Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi (also known as Baisakhi) is a festival that signifies the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founding the Khalsa Panth in 1699. It also coincides with the traditional Punjabi festival that celebrates the start of the harvest season.
Friday 18 April
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian observance which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Sunday 20 April
Easter Sunday
Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Monday 21 April - Thursday 3 May
The Festival of Ridvàn
The Festival of Ridvàn is a Bahá’í 12- day festival that celebrates Baháʼu’lláh’s declaration that he was a Manifestation of God
Tuesday 22 April
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Find out more: Earth Day
Tuesday 22 April
Stephen Lawrence Day
The Stephen Lawrence Trust wants young people to have a strong voice in building a fairer and more inclusive society. The aim of the day is for events to take place that inspire young people about what they can achieve in their own lives.
Visit: Stephen Lawrence Day
Wednesday 23 April
St George's Day
St. George’s Day, observed annually on 23 April, commemorates the life and legend of St. George, the patron saint of England.
English Heritage: 9 Things You Didn't Know About St George
Thursday 24 April - Wednesday 30 April
Global Intergenerational Week
Global Intergenerational Week is an annual campaign celebrating all things intergenerational and is an opportunity for workplaces to celebrate good inclusive intergenerational practices.
Saturday 26 April
Lesbian Visibility Day
Lesbian Visibility Day takes place on 26 April every year as part of Lesbian Visibility Week which starts on 22 April and runs through to the 28 April. It is a time to celebrate progress and to raise awareness and visibility of lesbian women and non-binary people.
Monday 28 April - Sunday 4 May
MS Awareness Week
MS is unpredictable and different for everybody. Symptoms can come and go and change over time, and it’s difficult to know how your condition might progress. MS Awareness Week helps to raise awareness of the uncertainty of MS.
Visit: MS Society
Monday 28 April
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Beginning in 2003, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work.
Click here to learn more about LUU's commitments to safe workplaces.