This calendar highlights key social and cultural dates observed by different communities throughout the academic year.
Many of these occasions may be marked by activities both on campus and beyond the university.
Being aware of these important dates can help us better understand the diverse UL community and recognise how they may influence the daily experiences and learning of staff and students.
1 January: New Year鈥檚 Day
4 January: World Braille Day
7 January: Orthodox Christmas Day
Orthodox Christians, particularly in Russia, Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine, celebrate Christmas according to the Julian Calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the typical Gregorian calendar, which was created in 1582 to account for seasonal drift due to the leap year system.
14 January: Orthodox New Year
Orthodox Christians, particularly in Russia, Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine, celebrate the New Year according to the Julian Calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the typical Gregorian calendar, which was created in 1582 to account for seasonal drift due to the leap year system.
18 January: World Religion Day
24 January: International Day of Education
27 January: Holocaust Memorial Day
28 January: International Day of Peaceful Coexistence and Prevention of Extremism
Combatting Islamophobia month, LGBTI History Month
1-7 February: World Interfaith Harmony Week
1 February: St. Brigid鈥檚 Day
Known as L谩 Fh茅ile Br铆de, this day celebrates the life of Saint Brigid, one of Ireland鈥檚 patron saints. The day coincides with Imbolc, a pre-Christian festival marking the halfway point between Winter and Spring. Traditional crosses are often made from reeds to celebrate St. Brigid, her lifetime and the miracles she performed.
11 February: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
17 February: Ramadan Begins (Muslims' fasting month: 17 February-20 March)
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset
17 February: Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year, most associated with the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, typically falls sometime between 21 January and 20 February annually. Lunar New Year 2026 begins on 17 February, and in terms of the Chinese zodiac animal, it's the Year of the Horse.
17 February: Shrove Tuesday
Celebrated by Christians as the final day of feast before Lent begins. Also known as Pancake Tuesday, Christians historically used the remainder of their food before Lent to commemorate Jesus鈥 forty days of fasting in the desert.
18 February: Ash Wednesday (Lent begins)
Celebrated by Christians to commemorate the beginning of Jesus鈥 fast, the mark of the cross is placed upon the recipient鈥檚 head using palm ashes to signify the palm leaves which were placed at Jesus鈥 feet in Jerusalem prior to his journey into the desert.
20 February: World Day of Social Justice
23 February: Start of Great Lent (Orthodox)
Observed by Eastern Orthodox Christians, many attend church services to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. This is a period for Orthodox Christians to renew their faith, discipline and devotion.
1 March: Zero Discrimination Day
1 March: Traveller Ethnicity Day
2-20 March: Bah谩鈥櫭 faith Fast
The Bah谩鈥櫭 Fast is a period of nineteen days during which Baha鈥檌s attempt to reinvigorate themselves spiritually, principally through refraining from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.
8 March: International Women鈥檚 Day
15 March: International Day to Combat Islamophobia
17 March: Saint Patrick鈥檚 Day
A day celebrated by Christians for the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, was said to have been captured as a slave from Britain and brought to Ireland. Upon escaping, he became a missionary and returned to Ireland, banishing snakes (representing evil) from the Island. Christians wear clover to celebrate the day, as Saint Patrick used the clover to explain the Holy Trinity.
20 March: Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan Ends
Celebrated by Muslims, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the conclusion of a month-long fast. It is celebrated through communal prayer, festive meals, and visiting friends and family.
20 March: Persian New Year (Nowruz)
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a 3,000-year-old celebration of spring, rooted in the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. It begins on the first day of the Iranian calendar, usually on or around 20 March, or Spring Equinox, and lasts for 13 days. With deep reverence for fertility, nature and new beginnings, it鈥檚 celebrated by around 300 million people across Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Central Asia, as well as in Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur and Parsi communities worldwide. It is also the first day of the Bah谩鈥櫭 faith calendar year and is celebrated at the spring equinox.
20 March: International Day of Happiness
21 March: International Day for the End of Racial Discrimination
21 March: World Down Syndrome Day
31 March: Transgender Day of Visibility
April 1 鈥 9: Passover
Jewish communities celebrate Passover to remember liberation and gratitude. It commemorates the Israelites鈥 escape from slavery in Egypt and commemorates the beginning of their journey to freedom. Symbolic foods are eaten, and the Exodus story is often retold in celebration.
2 April: World Autism Awareness Day
3 April: Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus by crucifixion. Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death and sometimes hold processions and/or re-enactments of the crucifixion. From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting.
5 April: Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after he was crucified by the Roman Empire. The day is celebrated through mass, sharing a meal with loved ones, and children are often given chocolate eggs brought by the 鈥楨aster Bunny鈥. It also marks the end of Lent.
8 April: International Roma Day
11 April: End of Great Lent (Orthodox)
Celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians, this day symbolises the end of Jesus鈥 forty days spent fasting in the desert.
26 April: Lesbian Visibility Day
Women鈥檚 Health Month
1 May: Buddha Day
Buddha Day is celebrated by Buddhists worldwide to honour the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated through prayer, meditation, offerings, and engaging in acts of kindness.
15 May: International Day of Families
17 May: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
21 May: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development
26 May: Eid al-Adha
The festival is celebrated by Muslim communities worldwide to commemorate the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, displaying devotion, faith, and compassion. The festivities include communal prayers, celebrations, and shared meals. At the end of Hajj (an annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims celebrate the "Festival of Sacrifice." As with Eid al-Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (峁l膩t) at daybreak on its first day.
Pride Month, Men鈥檚 Mental Health Month
1 June: Global Day of Parents
1 June: International Children鈥檚 Day
5 June: World Environment Day
16 June: Al Hijri - Islamic New Year
Awal Muharram or Hijri New Year is celebrated by Muslims as the day symbolises two important events in the Islamic year. Awal means beginning in English, and Muharram is the name of the first month in the Muslim calendar. The first day of Muharram is therefore the Islamic New Year's Day and, on this date, the Hijra, the historic journey from Mecca to Medina (currently two cities in Saudi Arabia) began.
18 June: International Day for Countering Hate Speech
20 June: World Refugee Day
23 June: International Widows' Day
Established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the challenges faced by widows around the world, including:
- poverty and economic insecurity
- social stigma and isolation
- lack of access to education and employment
- discrimination in inheritance, property, and legal rights
The day aims to promote support, protection, and empowerment for widows, and to encourage governments and communities to address the inequalities and hardships they often experience.
27 June: Deaf blindness Day
Disability Pride Month
14 July: International Non-Binary People鈥檚 Day
30 July: International Day of Friendship
12 August: International Youth Day
19 August: World Humanitarian Day
21 August: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
22 August: International Day of Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
30 August: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
12 September: Rosh Hashanah
(Jewish New Year) 鈥 A holiday observed with festive meals and a day spent in prayer or quiet meditation. The beginning of ten days of penitence or teshuvah culminating on Yom Kippur
20 September: Yom Kippur
(Atonement Day) - The Jewish Day of Atonement鈥攁 day devoted to self鈥揺xamination, and the chance to begin the New Year with a clean slate. Jewish congregations can spend the eve of Yom Kippur and the entire day in prayer and meditation.
21 September: International Day of Peace
23 September: Bi Visibility Day
23 September: International Day of Sign Languages
Mental Health Awareness Month, Black History Month
10 October: World Mental Health Day
10 October: World Inclusion Day
26 October: Intersex Awareness Day
31 October: Halloween
Rooted in the Celtic holiday of Samhain, it is celebrated worldwide to enjoy festive fun. Traditionally, faces were carved into turnips, but it is more common to see faces carved into pumpkins, lit inside by a candle.
Islamophobia Awareness Month
1 November: All Saints Day
A day in Christian beliefs to honour all saints who have led holy and virtuous lives.
8 November: Diwali
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, but other variations are celebrated by those who follow Jainism, Sikhism, and other Indian religions. It celebrates the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, and good over evil. People decorate their homes, light lamps to illuminate buildings, exchange gifts, and perform prayers.
13-19 November: Transgender Awareness Week
16 November: International Day for Tolerance
19 November: International Men's Day
20 November: Transgender Day of Remembrance
25 November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
29 November 鈥 24 December: Advent
Advent is the spiritual preparation made by Christians before Christmas Day. Each Sunday, a different candle is lit in the Advent Wreath in anticipation of the arrival of the baby Jesus.
3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
4-12 December: Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the festival of Lights. Jewish communities celebrate Hanukkah to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil. Menorahs are lit each night for eight nights, people play with Dreidels, and they exchange gifts. Celebration lasts for 8 days of prayer, gift giving, and lighting of the Menorah. A festival celebrating liberation from oppression and finding light in the darkest of times.
10 December: Human Rights Day
21 December: Yalda Night
A Persian festival, Yalda, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, with pomegranates, poetry and sacred rituals. It is a holiday celebrated by millions of people from Iran to Azerbaijan to the U.S., on Dec. 21, the winter solstice.
25 December: Christmas Day
A holy day that marks the birth of Jesus in Christianity, where children are visited by Saint Nicholas, who delivers them presents either under the decorative Christmas tree or in stockings hung over the fireplace.