Open Today: 09:30 - 20:00
With only a few days to go before the opening of the biggest light festival taking place in the Midlands this year, organisers are putting the final touches and plans in place to deliver a truly spectacular event as the popular free festival makes its return to the city.
Taking place every evening from 6pm – 10pm on Weds 12th March to Saturday 15th March inclusive, residents and visitors to the city can expect to be wowed by an array of joyful parades, inspirational performances and amazing light installations. Must see programme highlights include:
Weds 12th March
• 11AM – 12PM – LUL Schools Opening Parade – led by Inspirate with music from Drum and Brass, parade from the Cathedral to Clocktower and back, with children’s artwork forming the ‘leaves’ of the Roots of Our Tree light installation outside KRIII Visitor Centre
• 6PM – LUL Evening Parade Radiant Routes led by Nupur Arts, from the Cathedral to Clocktower and back (same route) – dance routine featuring Sambando where Brazilian beats meets Bhangra!
• 6.30PM – Unveiling of Cathedral, Crown & Culture by Metro Boulot Dodo, (featuring short voiceover from Ady Dayman) – major projection mapping and digital animation installation on Leicester Cathedral with reference to Leicester’s history, communities and King Richard III interment. Continues for the duration of the festival after this opening night.
Thurs 13th March
• 6.30 – 8.30PM – Illuminated Bike Parade – ‘bling’ your bike with stickers and LED lights and participate in a loop ride around the city centre. Register at www.lightupleicester.com
Fri 14th March
• 6.30PM and 7.30PM – The Holi Experience at the Clocktower – high energy dance performances by Nupur Arts celebrating Holi at the Clocktower
Sat 15th March
• 7.00 – 8.00PM – Fiers a Cheval by Compagnie des Quidams – huge 4-metre high glowing inflatable horses promenading and frolicking their way down New Walk culminating in an enchanting 30 minute choreographed performance on The Circle outside Mattioli Woods
In addition, on Friday and Saturday evenings expect to see walkabout performances featuring Mexican Skeleton puppets, LED ‘Glowbots’ and Enter Edem’s ‘Aquanauts’, as well as spoken word performances at St Martin’s Square by Literati Arts
In addition to performances and participatory activities, a huge programme of fixed art installations will run across every evening from 6pm – 10pm. Highlights include:
Leicester’s businesses are also playing their part, offering tasty dining discounts during the festival. Diners can enjoy 25% off the total bill at Kayal, Herb, and Merchant of Venice, 20% off at the Queen of Bradgate, Middleton’s and Restaurant 1573, or enjoy three courses for £20 at Turtle Bay. There are lots more tantalising offers and deals available throughout the festival, full details can be found on the Light Up Leicester website offers page.
Light Up Leicester is also committed to making the festival accessible to everyone. There will be a dedicated Access Support Hub open every evening from 6pm to 10pm at the Visit Leicester Information Centre, and friendly staff will be ready to assist. Accessible tours are available to help support mobility around the festival for those with additional access needs, including rickshaws, box bikes and gazelles which can carry children and wheelchairs.
Light Up Leicester will also offer funfair rides, street food vendors and an artisan Night Market.
Councillor Dempster said: ‘By presenting different performances and ways to get involved on each evening alongside some incredible light installations, funfair rides and Night Market, we hope that residents and visitors to the festival will feel compelled to visit and enjoy the festival and city centre offer on more than one evening.’
Simon Jenner BID Leicester said: “As a presenting partner and major sponsor of the festival, we’re proud to have taken the lead on the festival’s marketing campaign for the second time running and to have helped bring this spectacular event to life. This fantastic and much-loved free event, the largest light festival in the midlands, is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership, with our partners at Leicester City Council, Art Reach, and Leicester Cathedral working together to create something truly special for Leicester. With thousands of visitors expected, the festival offers a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to get involved and experience something magical. We can’t wait to see Leicester city centre illuminated once again!”
Light Up Leicester is presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester, Leicester Cathedral and Art Reach. It is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Global Streets, PPL PRS and headline sponsor Highcross Leicester.
Michelle Menezes, Centre Director, Highcross Leicester said “It is great that we are once again supporting Light Up Leicester not only as headline sponsor, but also as a location for ‘Flux’ a fantastic piece of illuminated artwork that will snake its way through St.Peter’s Square. This forms part of the new strategy for Highcross which includes developing new partnerships with local stakeholders to bring exciting events to the Centre for the community to enjoy.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing Light Up Leicester come to life, and delight visitors to the city and Highcross.”
Light Up Leicester will run from Wednesday 12 March until Saturday 15 March 2025. Full details of the festival, including information about all the installations, the opening day parades, free performances and a Gallowtree Gate Night Market, are available on the festival website at www.lightupleicester.com
