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.
June 2024
Saturday 1 June - Sunday 30 June
Gypsy, Roma & Traveller History Month
Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice and amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.
Find out more about the 2024 theme- "What does family mean to you?"
Saturday 1 June - Sunday 30 June
Pride Month
Pride Month is a month-long celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their achievements. Since the first pride parade in 1970, the month has grown to include more of the LGBTQ+ community and continues to grow. It is also an important opportunity to highlight the continued inequality for LGBTQ+ people across the globe and get involved in making a difference, whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or are an ally.
Monday 3 June - Sunday 9 June
Volunteer's Week
Volunteers' Week celebrates the contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s volunteers for all they contribute to local communities, the voluntary sector, and society as a whole.
Explore: Volunteering Stories
Saturday 8 June
World Oceans Day
On World Ocean Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honour our one shared ocean, that connects us all.
Find out more: World Ocean Day
Monday 10 June
Dragon Boat Festival
A celebration of a Chinese poet named Qu Yuan for his patriotism and contributions to poetry. His remorse for the violence in China's capital led him to disappear into the Mi Lo River where today, partakers in the festival race boats and eat rice dumplings.
Find out more here.
Monday 10 June
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib
The day commemorates the anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh guru. Approximately 30 million Sikhs around the world celebrate and remember the religious figure that gave up his life for the Sikh people.
Monday 10 June - Friday 14 June
Global Inclusion Week
Led by Inclusive Employers, Global Inclusion Week is an annual awareness week that aims to shine a light on inclusion in a global context. This year's theme is " Cultural Intelligence: Inclusion Across Cultures".
Monday 10 June - Sunday 16 June
Carer's Week
Led by Carers UK, the week aims to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face, and acknowledge the huge contribution carers make. It’s also a time to help people who don’t think of themselves as carers, to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
Watch: Carers' Stories
Monday 10 June - Sunday 16 June
International Men's Health Week
International Men's Health Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of preventable health problems that disproportionately affect men and encourage them to seek help.
Find out more: Inclusive Employers
Monday 10 June - Sunday 16 June
Loneliness Awareness Week
Hosted by Marmalade Trust, Loneliness Awareness Week is an annual campaign which raises awareness of loneliness, encourages discussions on loneliness, and empowers people to make connections.
This year's theme is "Random Acts of Connection"
Tuesday 11 June - Thursday 13 June
Shavuot
Shavuot is a Jewish celebration known as the "Feast of Weeks". It takes place seven weeks after Passover and commemorates the spring harvest and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Find out more: Shavuot
Thursday 13 June
Social Mobility Day
Launched in 2022, Social Mobility Day is an initiative organised by Making The Leap which exists to help raise the awareness of social mobility and encourage organisations to share their social mobility stories with the public.
Explore: Social Mobility Day
Friday 14 June
Remembering Grenfell Tower
Today marks seven years since the fire which destroyed Grenfell Tower, taking the lives of 72 people.
Friday 14 June
World Blood Donor Day
World Blood Donor Day provides a special opportunity to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors around the world for their gift of blood and has become a major focus for action towards achieving universal access to safe blood transfusion.
This year’s theme is 20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!
Find out more: World Health Organisation
Friday 14 June - Wednesday 19 June
Hajj
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
Read: What is Hajj?
Sunday 16 June
Fathers Day
Father's Day is a holiday of honouring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society.
Sunday 16 June -Tuesday 18 June
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah's command.
Read: What is Eid al-Adha?
Monday 17 June - Sunday 23 June
Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in 1998 in the UK, this annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on 20 June.
Watch: Refugee Week Film Programme
Tuesday 18 June
Autistic Pride Day
First celebrated in 2005, Autistic Pride Day is a global celebration that raises awareness among those who are not on the autistic spectrum so that they recognise individuals not as requiring treatment, but as unique individuals, and it creates a space for autistic people to freely and confidently express their true selves.
Find out more: Autistic Empire
Wednesday 19 June
REACH- Mix 'N' Mingle
From 12pm-1pm in Room 6, the Race Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Staff Network are running a speed friending event. This event is a great opportunity to come meet other members of staff and make some new friends.
This event is open to REACH members, non-members and allies.
Thursday 20 June
Litha
Otherwise known as Summer Solstice or Midsummer- the day celebrates the beginning of summer and is the loggest day of the year.
Find out more: English Heritage
Thursday 20 June
World Refugee Day
This day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Find out more: UNHCR
Saturday 22 June
Windrush Day
It's been 76 years since the Empire Windrush ship docked at the port of Tilbury bringing the first of the Windrush Generation to the UK. This day celebrates the people of the Windrush Generation and their descendants in the UK.
Watch: Windrush Generation
Monday 24 June- Sunday 30 June
World Wellbeing Week
World Wellbeing Week celebrates all areas of wellbeing, ‘From meaningful and purposeful work to financial security, physical, mental, and emotional health, social resilience, empathic corporate and civic leadership, community relations, and environmental care.’
Tuesday 25 June
Staff Craft Lunch
From 1pm-2pm in Room 1 there will be a Staff Craft Lunch. This is a chance to bring along a project, a hobby, or something you’re wanting to give a go, and spend some time cracking on with that whilst nattering to fellow art and crafters.
For any questions, or to join the google chat group, please contact Anna Winter.
July 2024
Monday 1 July - Wednesday 31 July
Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month focuses on and celebrate the disabled community and their pride. It is a month that encourages self-acceptance and embraces all disabilities, as well as accepting and honouring each persons' uniqueness.
Watch: BBC Newsround
Monday 1 July - Wednesday 31 July
Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
Monday 1 July
International Reggae Day
A day to celebrate the history of Reggae music, the culture and people of the Caribbean.
Find out more here.
Monday 1 July
Staff Craft Lunch
From 12pm-1pm in Room 1 there will be a Staff Craft Lunch. This is a chance to bring along a project, a hobby, or something you’re wanting to give a go, and spend some time cracking on with that whilst nattering to fellow art and crafters.
For any questions, or to join the google chat group, please contact Anna Winter.
Wednesday 3 July
Staff Choir
The Staff Choir will be taking place from 12pm-1pm in Room 5. The Staff Choir is open to everyone to come along. Whether you are a singing pro or a singer-in-the-shower kind of person, the Staff Choir is a chance to come along, sing your heart out with fellow staff, and most importantly, have fun!
To find out more, or to get the calendar invite, please contact Tasha Pickles.
Thursday 4 July
Independence Day (USA)
It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of the USA's independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the country.
Saturday 6 July
Omnisexual Visibility Day
Omnisexual Visibility Day was created to recognise and celebrate people who identify as omnisexual. It is an opportunity to learn and share information about the diversity of gender identities, sexual orientations, and expressions.
Learn more: Joshua Lloyd
Tuesday 9 July - Wednesday 10 July
Martyrdom of the Báb
This major holy day is celebrated on Tuesday 9July at noon and commemorates the 1850 execution of the co- founder of the Bahá'í faith, the Báb. His teachings are the foundation of the Bahá'í faith, and the Martyrdom of the Báb is one of nine holy days.
Find out more here.
Sunday 14 July
International Non-Binary People's Day
This day is aimed at raising awareness and organising around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world.
Tuesday 16 July - Wednesday 17 July
The Day of Ashura
This marks the death anniversary of Hussain ibn Ali, a revolutionary leader who was killed for taking a dignified stand for moral and social justice and against oppression.
Thursday 18 July
Black Leaders Awareness Day
Black Leaders Awareness Day (BLAD) aims to inform and educate people from all walks of life about the cultural impact of the world’s most celebrated Black leaders. Through sharing the wisdom of Black leaders, both past and present, via quotes, speeches, and videos, organisations are reminded of the importance of diverse leadership where all voices are valued and heard.
Find out more: Author's Edition
Thursday 18 July
Mandela Day
An annual international day to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela on his birthday. The day is characterised taking action and inspiring change in your local community.
Find out more: Mandela Day
Thursday 18 July - Saturday 17 August
South Asian Heritage Month
It seeks to raise the profile of British South Asian heritage and history in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain and improve social cohesion across the country.
Find out more here.
Sunday 21 July
Dharma Day
Dharma Day is celebrated in Theravada countries on the full moon day of July. It marks the beginning of the Buddha's teaching. It is usually celebrated with readings from the Buddhist scriptures, and is an opportunity to reflect deeply on their content.
Watch: What is Dharma?
Sunday 21 July
Leeds Pride
Leeds Pride is one of the biggest one-day festivals in Leeds City Centre- celebrating LGBTQ+ life in Yorkshire.
Each year, the colourful parade kicks off at Millennium Square, winding its way through the city streets and culminating on Lower Briggate by The Calls, where the festivities begin.
Stay up to date: Leeds Pride
Thursday 25 July
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day
A day to shine a light on the everyday challenges the millions of people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia face and how we can tackle the stigma and discrimination around it.
How to get involved: Healthline
Friday 26 July
Staff Craft Lunch
From 12pm-1pm in Room 3 there will be a Staff Craft Lunch. This is a chance to bring along a project, a hobby, or something you’re wanting to give a go, and spend some time cracking on with that whilst nattering to fellow art and crafters.
For any questions, or to join the google chat group, please contact Anna Winter.
Tuesday 30 July
International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship celebrates the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
Find out more: United Nations
August 2024
Thursday 1 August
Cycle to Work Day
An annual event that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work.
Find out more about bikes around Leeds: Five Things on a Friday
Thursday 1 August
Lughnasadh
Also known as Lammas, it is a Pagan holiday that marks the beginning of the harvest season. Originating in Ireland, people celebrate this day with bread making, corn dollies and a feast.
Find out more: Druidry
Thursday 1 August - Wednesday 7 August
World Breastfeeding Week
WBW is a global campaign to raise awareness and to promote action, with this year's theme being "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All"
To find out more, head over to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action website.
Wednesday 7 August
Staff Choir
The Staff Choir will be taking place from 12pm-1pm in Room 5. The Staff Choir is open to everyone to come along. Whether you are a singing pro or a singer-in-the-shower kind of person, the Staff Choir is a chance to come along, sing your heart out with fellow staff, and most importantly, have fun!
To find out more, or to get the calendar invite, please contact Tasha Pickles.
Friday 9 August
International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples
It’s a day to reflect on the challenges Indigenous peoples face all over the world and to take steps toward promoting and protecting their rights. The event recognises and honours their achievements, and is also a time to reflect on and celebrate Indigenous culture, tradition, and heritage.
Find out more: United Nations
Sunday 11 August
UK Black Pride
Taking place in London, it is the world's largest pride celebration of LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin America and Middle Eastern descent.
Stay up to date: UK Black Pride
Monday 12 August
International Youth Day
First observed in 2000, it's awareness day designated by the United Nations to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.
Saturday 17 August
Marcus Garvey Day
Today commemorates Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born Black political activist, publisher, and journalist.
Garvey popularized, and is credited for, the phrase “Black Is Beautiful”, giving his followers and supporters a sense of hope and power.
Watch: Marcus Garvey
Sunday 18 August
Ghost Festival
The Ghost Festival is a traditional Taoist and Buddhist festival that’s held in several different East Asian countries. This is a holiday on which people believe that the gates of hell open up and the dead are allowed to walk among the living in search of food.
Monday 19 August
World Humanitarian Day
Each year, this day focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.
Find out more: World Humanitarian Day
Monday 19 August
World Photography Day
An annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography.
Monday 26 August
Krishna Janmashtami
This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of the god Krishna. Also known as Gokulashtami, Janmashtami, or Krishanashtami- people fast on the day, breaking the fast the next day after midnight. They also workship Krishna by singing songs, decorating Hindu temples and the idol of Krishna.
Find out more: BBC
Monday 26 August
National Dog Day
The day celebrates all dogs and seeks to encourage people to adopt more dogs instead of buying them from pet shops. The day was founded by Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle expert Collen Paige.
Click here for more information (and dogs).
Monday 26 August - Tuesday 27 August
LUU Closed Days
LUU is closed for the August Bank Holiday on the 26, and Tuesday 27. LUU will be back open as usual on Wednesday 28.
To find out more about LUU's closed days, head to the HR for Everyone page.
Wednesday 28 August
Remembering Chadwick Boseman
On this day in 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away from Cancer. Chadwick played The Black Panther in a movie that is historically known for having a majority black cast - a rarity in Hollywood Movies.
Watch Marvels Tribute to Chadwick.