February 2024 UK Calendar: Full List of Holidays and Celebrations

Rosemary January 18, 2024 | 22:21

February is the time for famous worldwide celebrations like the Black Hisoty Month and Valentine's Day. Check out details of holidays and celebrations in the UK this month.

February marks the start of half term at schools in the UK but the exact time varies depending on states.

When is the February half term at school?

School term dates differ by local authority. To view the term dates in your area, put your postcode into the Government website here, which will take you to the appropriate page on your council's website.

The majority of schools in England and Wales will be closed from February 13 to 17. Most schools in Scotland will be closed at the same time.

Northern Ireland students have a shorter holiday, with only the 16th and 17th of February off.

When are the school holidays in February 2024?

Once again, in England and Wales, term and holiday dates may differ by local authority, but the majority are following this pattern:

Spring term 2024

Start of term: Monday 8 January, 2024

Half term: Monday 12 February to Friday 16 February, 2024

Here are the school holiday dates for Scotland:

Spring term 2024

Start of term: Monday 8 January, 2024

Half term: Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday 16 February, 2024

Here are the school holiday dates for Northern Ireland:

Spring term 2024

Start of term: Wednesday 3 January, 2024

Mid-term: Thursday 15 February, 2024 to Friday 16 February, 2024

February 2024 Holidays and Celebrations In The UK

Feb.1

Black History Month

World Interfaith Harmony Week

Feb.2

Groundhog Day 2024

Candlemas Day

On February 2nd, Christians celebrate Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For Catholics, it is a Christian Holy Day commemorating Jesus' presentation at the Temple and the Virgin Mary's purification after childbirth. This Feast Day commemorates hope, renewal, and purity.

Candlemas is a significant Christian holiday, however it is not a public holiday in the United States, therefore businesses and schools are open.

Feb.4

World Cancer Day

International Day of Human Fraternity

British Yorkshire Pudding Day

Feb.6

National Chopsticks Day

Feb.7

Safer Internet Day

Feb.9

National Toothache Day

National Pizza Day

Feb.10

Lunar New Year

Is the Lunar New Year a public holiday in the UK?

Even though the Lunar New Year comes on Saturday, February 10, 2024, it is a work day. In the United Kingdom, most firms maintain regular hours of operation.

Chinese communities across the UK hold New Year parades and public celebrations near the start of the Chinese year. They frequently include:

Lion dances in city centers and commercial malls.

Performances of traditional and modern Chinese dance and music.

Communal lunches and tastings of traditional Chinese and Chinese-inspired cuisine.

Short courses and lectures in Chinese history, language, and culture.

Art and craft exhibitions featuring works by Chinese or Chinese-descent artists.

Displays of lanterns and fireworks.

Most activities are accessible to the public and are generally warm and accepting to persons from all backgrounds who want to learn more about Chinese culture. Large public festivities take place in central London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Sheffield.

Families, community institutions, and student associations frequently conduct private celebrations. These can be modest parties at home or major events with hundreds or thousands of attendees. During the Lunar New Year, special meals that reflect luck and happiness are frequently presented.

Feb.11

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Feb.12

Darwin Day

Darwin Day Activities:

Darwin Day is celebrated with a variety of events around the world and in the United States. There are seminars and lectures, debates, competitions, symposia, concerts, plays, and poetry readings, as well as exhibitions and library displays. All of them are dedicated to promoting Charles Darwin's work and legacy, as well as the manner in which his theory expanded scientific knowledge.

One of the most popular activities on this day was established in 2000 and is now known as the Darwin Day Celebration. This program, organized by three professors, aims to provide science education to other countries.

You can mark this occasion by learning more about Charles Darwin and his work. Read On the Origin of Species, watch a video, or visit the nearest natural history museum.

Feb.13

Galentine's Day

Paczki Day 2024 (Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday)

World Radio Day

Feb.14

Valentine's Day

Ash Wednesday

International Book Giving Day

Is Carnival or Ash Wednesday a public holiday in the UK?

Carnival/Ash Wednesday is not a public holiday. Businesses have regular operating hours. In the United Kingdom, Ash Wednesday is a day of penance to purify the soul before fasting during Lent. Some Christians may attend special church ceremonies to receive ash in the shape of a cross on their foreheads as a symbol of regret and repentance for their wrongdoings.

In many churches, priests use the ashes of palms burned on Palm Sunday the year before. The ashes are mixed with sanctified holy water, and priests apply this particular paste on people's foreheads by dipping their fingers into it and making the sign of the cross. In certain churches, priests combine ash with anointing oil to remind the congregation of God's blessings and baptism.

Some Christians place a cross mark on their foreheads after leaving church. This is done so that they can spread the cross symbol throughout the world. Others may choose to wash the ashes as a sign that they are spiritually cleansed and their sins forgiven.

Feb.15

Singles Awareness Day

International Childhood Cancer Day

Feb.17

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Real Bread Week

Feb.20

National Love Your Pet Day

World Day of Social Justice

Feb.21

International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21st, commemorates the linguistic diversity of many civilizations around the world.

Language is one of the most important factors in defining a country's and community's culture, and it contributes to each country's unique identity. Language contains tradition, memory, and distinct ways of thinking and expressing oneself because it is present in all aspects of our lives.

Unfortunately, as globalization extends over the world, some languages are at risk of extinction. International Mother Language Day was established to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, with the goal of preserving all diverse languages as significant emblems of identity and legacy for all civilizations.

Feb.22

National Walking the Dog Day

World Thinking Day

National Chili Day 2024

Feb.27

National Pokemon Day

World Spay Day

World Non-governmental Organization Day

Feb.28

Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is marked on the last day of February. It increases awareness of rare diseases that are not well known, tries to make treatment and medical representation more available to people suffering from rare diseases, and provides more resources to their families to learn about the diseases and how to care for them. There are over 7,000 identified rare diseases in the globe, yet the general public is still not well-informed about them, and treatment is sometimes poor. Rare Disease Day organizers push for a change in this.