Diwali came to life in Leicester Thousands of visitors enjoyed the famous Golden Mile, where the Leicester’s Diwali lights and the wheel of light dazzled the visitors. The main celebrations took place in and around the Golden Mile, with a packed programme of entertainment, food and cultural experiences throughout the day. Cossington Recreation Ground was full of live performances, featuring the Aakash Odedra Company and the Philharmonia Orchestra, together with a striking la

People are being urged to vote for Leicester’s Riverside Festival after it was shortlisted in two categories at the UK Festival Awards 2026. The city’s largest free annual festival has been nominated for both Best Inner City Festival and Best Initiative for Emerging Talent, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in Manchester on 1 December. Public voting is now open, and closes on 2 November. Established in 1997 as part of Leicester’s riverside regeneration progra

A wide range of events celebrating Diwali are bringing music, culture and community celebrations to venues across Leicester, culminating in the city's Diwali Day celebrations on Sunday 8 November. Leicester's annual Diwali programme will see the Golden Mile and venues across the city host a wide range of activities, celebrating the traditions and cultures that have helped make the city's festivities among the largest outside India. The programme includes community celebrati

Leicester's biggest bonfire night celebration takes place at Abbey Park on Saturday 7 November – and tickets are on sale now! Visitors can look forward to two spectacular firework displays and a traditional bonfire, with the first, quieter display taking place at 6.45pm, and the second launching into the sky at 8pm. Gates open at 5pm. Live music and entertainment will run throughout the night until 9pm – and there’s also a family-friendly funfair, hot food stalls serving deli

The countdown is on for Leicester’s biggest celebration of food and drink, brought to you by BID Leicester, with 45 venues and 60 deals to enjoy from 19 October to 1 November. O.W at The Grand Now in its sixth year, the city-wide celebration is once again running across two weeks, following the success of last year’s extended format. A highlight of Leicester’s culinary calendar, it gives diners the chance to discover new favourites, revisit beloved local haunts, and explore c

More than 80 tourism businesses from across Leicester and Leicestershire have praised Visit Leicester's commitment to supporting the visitor economy after its latest Tourism Network Event helped businesses gain new ideas, build valuable connections and uncover opportunities for future collaboration. Every delegate left with insights they could apply to their organisation, highlighting the event's impact in bringing the sector together and supporting business growth. Attractio

A Programme of exhibitions, displays, talks and author events will take place across Leicester's museums and libraries this October as the city celebrates Black History Month. The month-long programme will highlight the stories, contributions and cultural heritage of Black communities in Leicester and beyond, with activities taking place at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, Newarke Houses Museum and libraries across the city. At Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, visitors can expl

Leicester and Leicestershire are gearing up for a blockbuster autumn of events, with major exhibitions, spectacular cultural celebrations, fright-filled Halloween attractions, fantastic food and dazzling firework displays giving visitors plenty of reasons to get out and explore the city and county over the coming weeks. Black History Month events There are events running throughout the month, from a classical concert using only black composers, a rare show from the iconic Len

Leicester’s Open Streets festival is returning to the city centre with a special heritage-themed event. Taking place around the Clock Tower on Sunday 27 September, this ‘heritage edition’ of the popular mini-festival will celebrate walking and cycling as a great way to visit the city centre and explore Leicester’s culture, stories and landmarks. The free event will include heritage craft workshops, live traditional blacksmithing demonstrations, and a Hidden Histories guided t