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The Multicultural Calendar serves as a resource for students, staff, and faculty to plan events, activities, meetings, retreats, and courses throughout the year. It is a resource for understanding religious and cultural observances.

Multicultural Calendar - February 2025

Imbolc / Candlemas  

Pagan, Wiccan, Druid

Also referred to as the Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Lights, and Oimele. Celebrates the coming of spring and recovery of the Earth Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God at Yule. For many traditions, a time for initiations, re-dedication and pledges for the coming year. One of the four "greater Sabbats." Begins at sundown on the first day.

General Practices: Activities might include making candles, reading poetry and telling stories.

Saturday, February 1, 2025 

Vasant Panchami  

Hindu 

Hindu celebration dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and heralds its summation that occurs with Holi. 

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Orthodox Christian period leading up to Lent. The liturgy involves hymns, odes and scriptures. 

Sunday, February 9, 2025  

Tu B'shvat  

Jewish 

This is a holiday known as the New Year for trees celebrating Judaism's roots in the natural world. While special meals are made that include eating the seven fruits of the land such as wheat, barley, figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives and dates, trees are planted too on this day. 

February 12, 2025 - February 13, 2025 

Lailat al-Bara'ah  

Islam 

This holy day is known as Lailat al-Bara'ah ("Night of Forgiveness") in Arabic and Shab-Barat in Persian. It is celebrated on the night of the full moon. Historically this is the night when the Prophet entered Mecca triumphantly, but in Muslim folklore it is considered to be the night when the "writing conferring immunity is written in heaven" or, more generally, the night during which the fates for the coming year are fixed.  

General Practices: Followers observe the date by holding a vigil throughout the night. They congregate at the local mosque to fast, pray, and read the Qur'an. Overall, however, and especially in Indo-Pakistan, the night is celebrated with illuminations and fireworks. 

Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day. 

Thursday, February 13, 2025  

Saint Valentine's Day  

Christian 

Christian celebration of the love of God presented in Jesus and in the lives of Christian believers. St Valentine was a 3rd century martyr. This day is widely observed in the USA as a secular celebration of love. 

Friday, February 14, 2025 

Parinirvana / Nirvana Day  

Buddhist, Jain 

A regional observance of the death of the Buddha. It celebrates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. 

Saturday, February 15, 2025 

Intercalary Days / Ayyam-i-Ha  

Baháʼí 

The Ayyam-i-Ha (or Intercalary Days) are a period when Baháʼí's focus more than usually on hospitality, charity, giving gifts and preparing for the month of fasting. The Ayyam-i-Ha are of four or five days duration. They are the days that fall outside the nineteen months of nineteen days that make up the Baháʼí's calendar. 

February 25, 2025 - February 28, 2025

Maha Shivaratri  

Hindu 

A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati. Ceremonies involving prayers and hymns take place mostly at night. Special foods are not used. 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 

Nineteen Day Fast  

Baháʼí 

Baháʼís Fast to be observed by adult Baháʼí's in good health, with no food or drink taken from sunrise to sundown. 

February 28, 2025 - March 19, 2025