Enjoy free and low-cost family fun in Leicester this half term
Families looking for affordable ways to enjoy the October half-term will find plenty going on across Leicester next week, with storytelling, crafts, railway rides and a giant monster hunt amongst the free and low-cost activities taking place.
With local schools closed from 19-23 October, parents looking for fun things to do with their children should check out the events taking place at museums, libraries, family centres and other venues across the city.
Among the highlights will be a monster-sized takeover of Leicester city centre.
From 22 to 31 October, eight giant illuminated monsters will pop up in surprising locations across the city centre. Families can hunt down all eight and check in at each location using the My Leicester App for the chance to win prizes. The trail is completely free and can be enjoyed during the day or after dark, when the monsters light up.
A themed bike ride provides a chance to hunt down the monsters as part of a 4-mile guided tour around the city centre. Organised by Ride Leicester and suitable for all ages, the free ride starts at the Town Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday (22 October) and will last around two hours. Places are limited and must be booked in advance.
At Abbey Pumping Station on Tuesday (20 October), families can enjoy a ride on the diesel-powered narrow gauge railway, with rides costing just £1. The half-term Railway Day runs from 11.30am to 4pm.
Also on Tuesday (20 October), and continuing on Wednesday (21 October), a free Family Learning Festival comes to Abbey Park Education Centre. This year's theme is Story Power: Imagine Beyond the Page, with interactive games, den building, a We're Going on a Bear Hunt-themed trail, and campfire stories and songs. The free drop-in sessions run from 11am to 2pm on both days and there is no need to book, but families are advised to bring their own food and drinks. The education centre can be found next to the Friendship Garden in Abbey Park.
At Newarke Houses Museum on Wednesday (21 October), children can take part in an afternoon of crafts inspired by the Mexican Festival of the Day of the Dead. Tickets are £4 when booked online, or £5 on the door. No charge for accompanying adults.
Youngsters can get into the Halloween spirit at the Guildhall on Thursday (22 October), when there will be themed crafts and activities. Bat hats, Halloween window decorations and a mega monster will all be made at the Monsters and Bats event, with children invited to dress in their favourite Halloween costumes. Admission is £4, when booked in advance.
The following day (Friday 23 October), Leicester Guildhall will host a free Meet the Police family day. Visitors can meet local PCSOs, explore the building's history as Leicester's first police headquarters, try out its Victorian prison cells, and tackle a mystery trail around the museum.
There is plenty happening in Leicester's libraries too. Free activities include monster crafts at Central Library, dance and storytelling based on The Golden Goose at New Parks and St Barnabas libraries, spooky mummy jars, autumn crafts and windchime-making. Some sessions need to be booked in advance so look for full details on the libraries’ website
At Leicester Cathedral, families can drop in for free craft sessions on Tuesday and Thursday (20 and 22 October). On Wednesday (21 October), University of Leicester students will host a free archaeology day in the Cathedral gardens, including a dig box, dressing up, crafts, games and the chance to meet an archaeologist.
Families can also explore A Dog's Life at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. The free exhibition celebrates the relationship between people and dogs, alongside family-friendly interactives, competitions and opportunities to create and display "pooch pawtraits".
And until 31 October, up to three children aged 15 and under can visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Jewry Wall Museum free of charge, when accompanied by a paying adult.
Other activities during the week include free Stay and Play sessions at Children, Young People and Family Centres around Leicester, while the Haymarket Shopping Centre will host free family entertainment including Tricky Tuesday on 20 October and a free Diwali celebration, featuring South Asian dance, children's crafts and Festive Joy Elephant walkabouts, on Friday 23 October.
Journeys Festival International also returns to Leicester from 17 to 25 October, bringing art, live performances and interactive installations to venues and public spaces across the city centre.
And families wishing to round off their half-term day out with a bite to eat are reminded that Restaurant Week gets under way in Leicester on Monday (19 October). Restaurants, cafés and bars across the city centre will be serving up discounted offers, great-value set menus and special family deals until 1 November.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “With household budgets under pressure, it’s important to remember that a great family day out doesn’t have to cost the earth.
“There are lots of free and low-cost activities happening across Leicester this half-term – particularly at our libraries and museums – which will give families plenty of opportunities to get out, have fun and enjoy time together.”
Details of the activities, booking information and more ideas for half-term family fun are available at families.leicester.gov.uk/half-term-activities
LCC News - Published on Thursday, October 15, 2026
