February 1, Saint Brigid’s Day
February 2, Candlemas
February 3, Folklore Day (South Korea)
February 4, Porridge Day in Latvia
February 5, Fiesta de la Alcaldesa (Sicily)
February 6, Waitangi Day (New Zealand)
February 7, Ghost Exorcising Festival (Tibet)
February 8, Youth Day (Congo)
February 9, Chingay Procession (Singapore)
February 10, World Marriage Day
February 11, Kurban Bairam (Islam)
February 12, Chinese New Year (moves according to the lunar calendar)
February 13, Parentalia (ancient Rome)
February 14, St. Valentine’s Day
February 15, Lupercalia fertility festival (ancient Rome)
February 16, Heritage Day (Canada)
February 17, Tanis Diena, ancient Latvian festival honoring pigs
February 18, Spenta Armaiti festival of cultivators (Persian)
February 19, Copernicus birthday, 1473, revolutionary astronomer of the heliocentric theory—honor the sun!
February 20, Museum Day, commemorating to opening of New York’s Metropolitan Museum
February 21, Feralia, Roman festival to honor the dead
February 22, St. Lucia’s Day (Christian)
February 23, Terminalia, honoring the Roman god of boundaries
February 24, Gregorian calendar begins, as established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582
February 25, Day of Nut (Ancient Egypt)
February 26, Purim
February 27, Ayyam I Ha, Day of Service and Giving (Baha’i)
February 28, Kalevala Day, commemorating the first publication of the Finnish mythological poem in 1835
February 29, Leap Day and Ladies Day
Although February is the shortest calendar month, it holds many rich festivals from several cultures. Celtic Pagans celebrate Imbolc, or Brigid’s Day, as the first sign of spring in the Wheel of the Year. Imbolc translates as “in the milk,” which reflects the lambing and calving season that begins around this time. The idea of purification also runs through February festivals such as Purim, Candlemas, and Lupercalia. Take the opportunity to start “spring cleaning” a bit earlier than you usually do to help chase away the winter blues. And of course, February holds Valentine’s Day, a now-secular celebration of affection and friendship.
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