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.
February 2025
Saturday 1 February - Friday 28 February
LGBTQ+ History Month
The overall aim of LGBTQ+ History month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public.
To find out more click here.
Saturday 1 February - Friday 7 February
World Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week was established by United Nations as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.
Saturday 1 February
Imbolc
Imbolc is a Pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara).
Saturday 1 February
World Hijab Day
World Hijab Day is an annual event to raise awareness about the hijab and promote religious tolerance and understanding.
Find out more: worldhijabday.com
Sunday 2 February
Candlemas
Also known as the Presentation of Christ, this day commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple, symbolizing his dedication to God. It’s a time for Eastern Orthodox Christians to reflect on faith, family, and renewal
Sunday 2 February
Vasant Panchami
Also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami, Vasant Panchami is a Hindu celebration that marks the arrival of Spring, and is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati.
Find out more: drikpanchang.com
Monday 3 February - Sunday 9 February
Race Equality Week
Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide movement uniting hundreds of thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace.
Find out more: Race Equality Matters
Monday 3 February - Sunday 9 February
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Week
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence and to provide an opportunity for any organisation or individual to engage in dialogue.
Read more: Welsh Women's Aid (TW: Sexual abuse and violence)
Tuesday 4 February
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day aims to raise awareness, improve education, and inspire action for a future without cancer, supporting patients and advancing research efforts worldwide.
Thursday 6 February
Time To Talk Day
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.
Make space in your day for a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.
Find out more: Time To Talk Day
From 9:30am- 4pm in the Staff Room, the People Team will be running activities, food, and Q&A sessions about the wellbeing benefits LUU has to offer. To find out more, click here
Monday 10 February - Sunday 16 February
National Apprenticeship Week
Part of the Department for Education's ongoing "Skills for Life" campaign, the week aims to shine a spotlight on apprenticeships and highlight why they are a great option for career progression.
Tuesday 11 February
International Day of Women & Girls in Science
This day celebrates the achievements of women and girls in science, advocating for greater gender equality in STEM fields and inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
Explore: womeninscienceday.org
Wednesday 12 February
Lantern Festival
Also known as Shangyuan Festival or Cap Go Meh, is a Chinese festival that marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year.
Wednesday 12 February
Love your Networks & Find Your Place at Leeds Lunch
Nothing says we appreciate you better than pizza 🍕
From 1pm - 2pm in the Martin Luther King Office, the Staff Networks will be running a Love your Networks and find your place at Leeds Lunch. Grab a slice of Domino's pizza and dessert and have a go at our Valentine’s quiz, we’ll have prizes for the winners.
All staff members- network members and allies are welcome, we’ll be catering for Vegans, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free and Gluten Free dietary needs.
Get in touch with Nicole (n.c.cal-akpuogwu@leeds.ac.uk) if you have any specific requirements or questions you would like to discuss.
Wednesday 12 February
Magha Puja
Magha Puja is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month, and marks the spontaneous gathering of Buddha and 1,250 of his disciples.
Friday 14 February
Valentines Day
Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually.
Saturday 15 February
Nirvana Day
An annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80.
Find out more at learn religion:
Sunday 16 February - Saturday 22 February
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week spreads awareness and acceptance of the Aromantic community, highlights the issues they face, and celebrates their experiences.
Find out more: arospecweek.org
Wednesday 19 February
LUU New Starter Meeting
From 10am - 11am, there will be a New Starter Meeting in Room 5. This is for all new and recent joiners in LUU to come along, meet fellow new staff and meet our Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Employee Experience. You will find out about our LUU Strategy, as well as the support that is available to staff, ways you can get involved, and ask any questions you might have.
To attend, please get in touch with Katie Fox (K.Fox1@leeds.ac.uk) .
Thursday 20 February
World Day of Social Justice
The day highlights the need to address issues such as poverty, discrimination, gender equality, workers' rights, and access to education and healthcare for all. It's an opportunity to reflect on the steps needed to build a more just and equitable world.
Monday 24 February - Sunday 2 March
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder right now - but behind every one is a network of loved ones struggling too. Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is hosted by BEAT. To find out more click here.
Tuesday 25 February - Friday 28 February
Ayyam-i-Ha
Also known as Intercalary Days, Ayyam-i-Ha is a Baha'i period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting
Read: Baha'i Blog
Wednesday 26 February - Thursday 27 February
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri honors the deity Shiva, celebrating his divine power and significance in Hinduism. Devotees fast, chant, and hold night vigils, dedicating the day to reflection and spiritual growth.
Friday 28 February - Wednesday 19 March
Nineteen Day Fast
The Nineteen-Day Fast is a nineteen-day period of the year during which members of the Baháʼí Faith adhere to a sunrise-to-sunset fast.
Find out more: bbc.co.uk
Friday 28 February - Sunday 30 March
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
Friday 28 February
International Stand Up to Bullying Day
Observed both in February and November, International Stand Up to Bullying Day aims to create empathy and end bullying and harassment.
Click here to read LUU's policies on Whistleblowing, and Dignity at Work.
Head over to Love to Learn to see our course on Workplace Bullying.
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
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.
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
Wednesday 2 April - Wednesday 30 April
World Autism Acceptance Month
Beginning on World 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
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 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.
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.
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 20 April
Easter Sunday
Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
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
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