1st Sunday in Feb
National Yorkshire Pudding Day
The first Sunday in February is set aside to celebrate the Yorkshire pudding. So, it will be a Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Learn More
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English Diary
British Customs, British Culture and British Traditions in February
First Monday in Feb
National Sickie Day
The first Monday in February is dubbed "national sickie day" - when bosses are most likely to discover that staff have stayed at home taking a "sickie", as in phoning in as too ill to work, when there's nothing really wrong with them, apart from the fact that they are "sick of going in to work". Learn More
1st
February
La Feill Bhride
Otherwise known as St. Bride's Day. This is yet another religious festival that absorbs ancient Celtic traditions into the Christian calendar. St Bride is the patron saint of milkmaids. Learn More
2nd
February
Candlemas Day
Many churches used to bless all the candles to be used during the year on this day. Learn More
2nd
February
Groundhog Day
Will Phil see his shadow? Groundhog Day is an American/Canadian holiday. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. We really don't celebrate this in the UK, probably due to the lack of groundhogs. Learn More
7th
February
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was born on 7th February, 1812. Learn More
14th
February
Valentine's Day
Romance is in the air this month. Valentines Day is the day that sweethearts and couples let their romantic side show, but it is full of traditions, and I'll admit, not all of them make sense. Learn More
17th - 21st
February
London Fashion Week
The créme de la créme of fashion descends on London this week. Designers will showcase their collections: From the sublime to the ridiculous, but never boring. Learn More
21st
February
International Mother Language Day
Started by UNESCO, this International Day has been observed every year since February 2000. So, put down your English text books and get together to speak your native tongue. Oh dear,linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, but I am English - so I guess I'll have to put down my German text books. Learn More
27th
February
to 12th
March
Fair Trade Fortnight
Fair trade is an organized social movement whose stated goal is to help producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions and to promote sustainability. Schools can download an action pack. Learn More
28th
February
Shrove Tuesday
Yum, yum, yum. Pancake Day is here again! Traditionally, all the foods that are forbidden during Lent – meat, eggs, fat and milk – are eaten up on Shrove Tuesday. Learn More
1st
March
Ash Wednesday
Marks the beginning of Lent a time of mourning and penitence, spiritual renewal, fasting and almsgiving. Associated with the Christian Church season known as Lent—the 40 days preceding Good Friday and Easter. Christians in the UK still give up something they enjoy, (usually cigarettes, alcohol or chocolate) for Lent. This year I am giving up chocolate. Learn More
26th
February
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
You probably know what Einstein is supposed to have said, "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales." Today is the day to read more fairy tales.