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.
December 2024
Sunday 1 December
World AIDS Day
It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
Monday 2 December - Sunday 8 December
National Grief Awareness Week
National Grief Awareness Week is dedicated to raising awareness about grief, providing support to those who are grieving, and fostering a better understanding of the grieving process.
Find out more: Five Things on a Friday
Monday 2 December
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is dedicated to commemorating the adoption of the United Nations "Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others". This day serves as a call to action to end all forms of slavery, including forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.
Learn more: United Nations
Tuesday 3 December
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global initiative that encourages people and organisations to donate to charitable causes.
Tuesday 3 December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The day aims to promote an understanding of issues disabled people face, and mobilise support for their dignity, rights and wellbeing.
Wednesday 4 December
Paper Stained Glass Making
From 11am- 12:30pm in Room 4, there will be a Paper Stained Glass Drop-In Activity.
Get into the festive spirit and pop along to create your own stained glass decoration. You can take this home, or it can be placed in one of the LUU Office Windows!
Thursday 5 December
Staff Voice
Our next Staff Voice Group is on Thursday 5 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.
Sunday 8 December
Bodhi Day
A Buddhist celebration commemorating the day that the historical Buddha, formerly Prince Siddhartha Gautama, experienced enlightenment.
Find out more at Learn Religions - Bodhi Day
Sunday 8 December
Pansexual Pride Day
Pansexual Pride Day is day for individuals and organisations around the world to come together and celebrate Pansexuality and raise further awareness to Pansexual people and their community.
Learn more: Heckin Unicorn
Tuesday 10 December
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is an annual event that commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly.
Find out more: United Nations
Thursday 12 December
Christmas Jumper Day
Christmas Jumper Day is an annual fundraising campaign organised by Save the Children. People are encouraged to raise funds for Save the Children by wearing a Christmas jumper and making donations.
Thursday 12 December
National Workplace Day of Remembrance
Is a day to honour workers who have lost their lives in the workplace. It is also a day that encourages organisations, colleagues, and families to pause, remember, and reflect on the importance of safety in the workplace.
Click here to find out more about the day.
Want to learn more about LUU's health, safety and wellbeing? Click here.
Thursday 12 December
Staff Winter Lunching
From 12pm - 1pm in the Staff Room, there will be a Staff Winter Lunching
Staff are invited to come along, b.y.o.l (bring your own lunch!), catch-up with fellow LUU staff members, and grab a festive treat or two!
Friday 13 December
Staff Network's Winter Social
From 5pm in the Winter Tent, the Staff Networks are holding a Winter Mix ‘N’ Mingle Social. Head on down for a classic speed friending, casual get together, and festive treats!
This social is for Network Members only. If you would like to join the Staff Networks, head over to the Staff Networks page on the Staff Intranet to find out more about the Networks and sign up.
Monday 16 December - Tuesday 24 December
Las Posadas
Las Posadas, celebrated yearly from December 16-24, is a religious festival traditionally held in Mexico and parts of Latin America.
Watch: Las Posadas
Tuesday 17 December
Staff Cookie Decorating
From 2pm - 3pm in Room 4, come along and get into the festive spirit by decorating some cookies!
Pick from a variety of biscuits to decorate, there will be vegan and gluten free options as well.
Tuesday 17 December
Staff Pizza & Games Night
From 5pm- there will be a Pizza & Games Night taking place in Crossroads
Pop on down for an evening of fun, games, socialising and as the name says- pizza!
This is open to all LUU Staff members. If you are coming along, please write your name and info on the sign-up sheet.
Wednesday 18 December
International Migrants Day
Coinciding with the adoption of the "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families", it is a day to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of millions of migrants worldwide.
Find out more: IOM
Friday 20 December
International Human Solidarity Day
International Human Solidarity Day is a day to celebrate the world’s unity in diversity, as well as to raise awareness about the importance of solidarity.
Learn more: United Nations
Saturday 20 December - Wednesday 1 January
LUU Closed Days
LUU will be closed from Saturday 20 December through to Wednesday 1 January. LUU will be back open as usual on Thursday 2 January.
To find out more about LUU's closed days, head to the HR for Everyone page.
Saturday 21 December - Wednesday 1 January
Yule
Yule is a Pagan celebration otherwise known as Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day of the year and the beginning of longer days ahead.
Wednesday 25 December - Thursday 2 January
Hanukkah
An eight day Jewish festival of lights, celebrated with the nightly lighting of the menorah.
You can find out more about the festival here - Jewish Holidays Chanukah
Wednesday 25 December
Christmas Day
A Christian celebration celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Visit whychristmas.com/cultures to find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world.
Thursday 26 December - Wednesday 1 January
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.
Tuesday 31 December
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is the last day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, where people say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new one.
Find out more: Britannica
January 2025
Wednesday 1 January - Friday 31 January
Red January
RED January is a community charity initiative that invites and welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities to set a realistic movement goal for the month of January.
Wednesday 1 January - Friday 31 January
Veganuary
Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages people worldwide to try vegan for January and beyond.
Find out more: Veganuary
Saturday 4 January
World Braille Day
World Braille Day is an international day that celebrates and raises awareness for the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realisation of the human rights for blind and visually impaired people.
Explore: BrailleWorks
Monday 6 January - Friday 24 January
Pulse Survey
From Monday 6 January, the Pulse Survey will be open for staff to complete until Friday 24 January.
Filling out our staff pulse survey is really important as it allows us to gain a better understanding of how our People are feeling. We use all your feedback and work with Managers and the Senior Leadership Team to make improvements for all our staff here at LUU.
Monday 6 January
Birth day of Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab
This day commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, who established the Khalsa and reinforced Sikh values. Sikhs honor his legacy through prayer, gatherings, and acts of service.
Monday 6 January
Epiphany
Epiphany is a Christian holiday that marks the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of Christ to the world. It’s celebrated with various traditions that emphasize light, hope, and new beginnings.
Tuesday 7 January
Christmas
Celebrated by Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christians, this Christmas celebration follows the Julian calendar and honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a day of reflection, worship, and community gatherings with family and friends.
Read: National Geographic
Wednesday 8 January
LUU Staff Winter Conference
Friday 10 January
Asarah B’Tevet
Also known as the 10th of Tevet, it is a Jewish holiday of fasting, mourning and repentance and is one of the minor fasts observed from before dawn to nightfall.
Read: Jewish Virtual Library
Friday 10 January
World Hindi Day
Otherwise known as Vishwa Hindi Divas, this day marks the anniversary of first World Hindi Conference which was organized on January 10 ,1975 in Nagpur.
Monday 13 January
Lohri
Observed the day before Makar Sankranti, Lohri is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season for winter crops.
Monday 13 January
Maghi
Maghi is an annual festival celebrated by Sikhs commemorating the memory of forty Sikh martyrs.
Tuesday 14 January
Mahayana New Year
Mahayana Buddhism is the largest sub-division of the Buddhist religion, and they celebrate the new year by honouring Buddha and other deities.
Read more at World Religion News: New Year Traditions
Tuesday 14 January
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signalling longer days and the end of winter. Celebrated with great enthusiasm, this festival symbolises the onset of the harvest season and is a time for gratitude, joy, and community bonding.
Read: Isha
Tuesday 14 January
Pongal
Pongal is a multi-day Hindu festival celebrated primarily in South India, marking the end of the winter solstice and the harvest season. It’s a time of gratitude, with offerings to the Sun God and festivities centered around food, family, and tradition.
Watch here: WSLS 10
Wednesday 15 January
Women's Collective Lunch
From 12pm-1pm in Room 2, the LUU Women's Collective Network will be holding a Women's Collective Lunch
This is a chance to bring your lunch along, or order a group takeout from somewhere, and basically have lunch together and a good old catch-up!
This is open to Women Collective members and allies.
Sunday 19 January
World Religion Day
World Religion Day takes place each January, aiming to promote understanding and peace between all religions as well as mutual understanding and tolerance between peoples from different backgrounds.
Head to the "Religion & Belief" page on the Staff Intranet for more information and resources around different religions and beliefs.
Monday 20 January
Martin Luther King Jr Day
A federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Born in 1929, King's actual birthday is January 15.
21 January
National Day of Racial Healing
Observed the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this day promotes truth-telling, racial healing, and solidarity, inviting communities to come together in acknowledgment and understanding of racial histories and disparities.
Saturday 25 January
Burns Night
Burns Night is widely renowned as a commemoration of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns' birthday. It is celebrated with a feast showcasing the best of traditional Highlands cuisine.
Sunday 26 January
Al Isra’ wal Mi’raj
Al Isra wal Miraj (27th Rajab) is believed to be the night in which the beloved Prophet embarked on the famous night journey and ascension, also known as Shab-e-Miraj.
Monday 27 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
A national commemoration day dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Wednesday 29 January
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia. Families gather for festive meals, traditions, and cultural activities, welcoming the Year of the Snake with hopes of prosperity and good fortune.
Explore: National Museum of Asian Art
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
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
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
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 - 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
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.
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
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
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
Mothers Day
A day to honour mothers and other mother figures, such as grandmothers, stepmothers and mothers-in-law.