People are being invited to step back in time as Leicester’s Old Town Festival returns later this month.
The free, family-friendly event will take place across the city’s historic Old Town on Saturday, 25 April, with activities running from midday until 5pm.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
Centred around Jubilee Square, Jewry Wall and surrounding streets, the festival will offer visitors a chance to explore more than 2,000 years of history – from Roman Leicester through to medieval England.
A packed programme of events will combine St George’s Day celebrations with interactive history experiences, including Viking encampments, combat displays and the chance to see Brendan the Bold, a life-sized Anglo-Saxon longship replica.
Storytelling inspired by the epic tale of Beowulf will also feature, complete with a fire-breathing dragon and towering monster performances.
In Cathedral Gardens, visitors can meet characters from the medieval period, enjoy circus skills with the Juggling Jesters and Magical Wizard Circus School, or take part in storytelling sessions aboard the Children’s Bookbus as part of the National Year of Reading.
Traditional festivities for St George’s Day will include dragons roaming the site, Maypole dancing, Morris dancing and free arts and crafts workshops.
This year’s festival will also introduce three themed Heritage Hub Discovery Zones led by the University of Leicester. These include an archaeology zone at the Jewry Wall Museum and St Nicholas Church, a health and creativity zone in Jubilee Square, and a family and local history zone at the historic Leicester Guildhall.
Visitors can also take advantage of discounted entry to the Jewry Wall Museum visitor centre to learn more about Roman Leicester, along with special offers at the King Richard III Visitor Centre.
Elsewhere, live music will take place at Leicester Cathedral and the Guildhall, alongside artisan market stalls featuring local independent traders.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for leisure and culture, said the festival is a “lively and fascinating celebration” of Leicester’s heritage.
“There are lots of great free activities to take part in and performances to enjoy, and it’s all taking place in our historic Old Town area,” she said. “It promises to be an inclusive, informative and exciting festival with something for everyone.”
