1 February
St Brigid’s Day (Christian) is the feast day of the early Irish saint. St Brigid’s crosses are made from reeds to mark the feast.
Vasant Panchami (Hindu) is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma’s wife. The festival marks the beginning of spring.

2 February
Imbolc (Celtic) – also called Oimelc – celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the sun. Candlemas (Christian) commemorates the day Mary took Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to present him to God.

10 February
Revolution Day in Iran.

11 February
Tu B’shevat is the Jewish ‘New Year for Trees’. On Tu B’Shevat, Jews often eat fruits associated with the Holy Land, especially those mentioned in the Torah.

14 February
St Valentine’s Day (Christian) is more a secular festival than a religious one. St Valentine is the patron saint for lovers.

15 February
Parinirvana is the Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of Buddha’s death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival ‘Nirvana Day’. Parinirvana is alternatively celebrated by some Buddhists on 8 February.

16 February
Act of Independence of Lithuania.

22 February
Independence Day in St Lucia.

24 February
Independence Day in Estonia

25 February
Mahashivrati is the Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

27 February
Losar (Buddhist) is the most important holiday in Tibet, marking the Tibetan New Year.

28 February
Shrove Tuesday (Christian) is a carnival day on the eve of Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, a time of fasting and devotions. Traditionally pancakes were served to use up all the food that could not be eaten during Lent.

Source: Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland