Leicester City Council has brought together a wide range of free and low-cost activities to help families enjoy the festive season without overspending.
From craft sessions in local libraries to pop-up pantomimes and guided bike rides, there are plenty of events taking place across the city throughout December.
Libraries across Leicester are hosting a variety of drop-in activities alongside their usual book lending. Families can visit Central Library on Bishop Street from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Thursday in the run-up to Christmas, to write letters to Santa or make festive door hangers. Beaumont Leys Library will hold a Christmas ornament decorating session on Saturday 20 December, while Highfields Library will run a Christmas calendar-making activity on Monday 22 December. New Parks Library will host winter-themed crafts and paper plate angel making on Tuesday 23 December, with advance booking required.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is also encouraging family visits, combining popular exhibitions such as dinosaurs and Ancient Egypt with the annual Open exhibition. The showcase features artwork by young people aged 5 to 18 and will remain on display until 30 January.
The city’s medieval Guildhall, known as one of Leicester’s most haunted buildings, will host a free, family-friendly ghost tour on Wednesday 17 December at 3pm. Places must be booked in advance. The Guildhall will also welcome families to a community fun day on Tuesday 30 December, from 11am to 3pm, offering the chance to meet local police officers, explore the former cells and try out the historic stocks.
Highcross Leicester will also host a free pop-up pantomime for young children. Santa’s Secret Workshop will run on Saturday 20 December and Tuesday 23 December. John Lewis will be running a daily treasure hunt until Christmas Eve.
Live music will feature in the city centre on Fridays and Saturdays before Christmas as part of the Festive Jams programme, presented by BID Leicester. Performances include Mariachi Loco, The Salvation Army Band, King Brasstards and the Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy Choir, with events taking place in locations including St Martin’s Square and the Haymarket.
The traditional Christmas story will be retold at Leicester Cathedral during a Crib Service at 3pm on Wednesday 24 December. Families are invited to join in carols and enjoy performances by the cathedral choir.
Assistant city mayor Councillor Elaine Pantling said the programme was designed to ensure families had plenty to enjoy during the holidays. She said: “The city council and its partners have made sure that there are plenty of things for families to do at Christmas that are low-cost or free of charge. I hope families will enjoy getting out and about during the school holidays, finding fun things to do together that won’t cost the earth.”
