February

1-7 February

World Interfaith Harmony Week

International

World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was conceived to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence. WIHW was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. In its resolution, the General Assembly pointed out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and established World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith. More information...

13 February

Anniversary of National Apology Day

Australia

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to Australia’s Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the injustices of past government policies, particularly to the Stolen Generations. More information...

^{Photo: butupa/Flickr CC2.0}

1-15 February – date varies each year

Lunar New Year / Spring Festival

Chinese Chunjie; Vietnamese Tet Festival; Korean Solnal; Tibetan Losar; etc.

The Spring Festival marks a new year on the Lunar Calendar. It is celebrated in several Asian countries. Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist practitioners celebrate this festival.

^{Photo: Chris Phutully/The Urban List}

16 February

Magha Puja Day

Buddhism

Also known as Sangha Day, this day celebrates the community of followers of the teachings of Buddha (Theravada tradition).

^{Photo: Tevaprapas/Wikimedia Commons CC3.0}

21 February

International Mother Language Day

International

The day is reserved for the celebration of language diversity and variety worldwide. It purposes ‘to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world’. More information...

^{Photo: Fahad Faisal/Wikimedia Commons CC4.0}