Get ready for a spectacular bike parade as part of next month’s Light Up Leicester festival – and everyone is invited to join the fun!
From Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 March, Leicester city centre will shine with incredible illuminated artworks and nightly performances, marking the return of the world-class Light Up Leicester festival for its third edition.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
The Light Up Leicester Bike Parade will take place on Thursday 13 March, offering participants the chance to be part of this vibrant event! Riders will enjoy a 1.5km tour through the heart of the city centre, passing by some of the stunning art installations featured in the festival.
Join us at 5pm in Town Hall Square to ‘bling your bike’ at one of the workshops led by local artists from Graffwerk and Cyclone Works. Here, you can add lights, colors, or sparkle to your bike, get creative, and enjoy live art being made by local street artists. Feel free to bring your own fairy lights or other novelty lights to make your bike part of the glittering parade!
Parades will begin at 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm, and 8pm. Simply sign up for your preferred start time and meet us at Town Hall Square to join the procession.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, Assistant City Mayor for Environment and Transport, said: “We’re inviting people of all ages to come together and see the city in a new light. The circular bike parade route will take riders through the heart of the festival, showcasing some of the incredible art installations. The focus is on making this an inclusive, family-friendly ride for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
“Not only will this show how easy it is to navigate the city by bike, but after the ride, participants can use the bike park at Town Hall Square to securely store their bikes while they explore on foot. It’s set to be a fantastic showcase of our city, offering an unforgettable experience for all participants – and it’s completely free!”
Leicester’s City Mayor Peter Soulsby added: “We’re so excited for this festival, which will bring together our diverse communities and create an amazing experience for people of all ages. The city will be alive with light and color, offering extraordinary performances and installations by international artists, all for free.
“Over 80,000 people enjoyed the last Light Up Leicester festival in 2022. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and funders, this year’s free festival will brighten up the winter nights for even more people.”
Presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester, Leicester Cathedral, and Art Reach, and with additional support from headline sponsor Highcross Leicester and PPL PRS, Light Up Leicester 2025 will feature four nights of family-friendly performances and activities. Schools and local communities are also taking part, with partners Inspirate and Art Reach working with local groups on projects that celebrate the city’s diversity and add an extra layer to the festival.
For the full festival programme, visit lightupleicester.com/home.
To sign up for the bike parade, head to www.letsride.co.uk/rides/light-up-ride-leicester-bike-parade, and for bike journey planning, visit choosehowyoumove.co.uk/.
