Christmas in Leicester – an ultimate guide to Christmas 2017
It seems to come round quicker every year and, although many of us would prefer to wait until December to start thinking about Christmas, a new survey has found that most of us start our Christmas shopping in October.
There’s always a lot to do around Christmas in Leicester, and this year is no different.
We’ve rounded up all the best Christmas events, activities and things to do in Leicester below so you don’t miss any of it.
When are the Christmas lights in Leicester switched on?
After the less-than-positive feedback received about last year’s decorations, Leicester City Council have added an extra £50,000 to the budget for Christmas decorations this year.
The extra budget means there will be new decorations for Belvoir Street and Halford Street.
Similar to the decorations used on Market Street and Granby Street, the contemporary designs feature snowflakes, stars and Christmas trees.
The 50ft Christmas tree will again be put up at the Clock Tower, and the traditional nativity scene will be erected in Town Hall Square along with a tableau based on The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Christmas lights in Leicester will be switched on at 5pm on Thursday 23 November 2017 – which will be part of a huge evening of entertainment around the city centre.
The event will once again be on Humberstone Gate West, offering a fantastic programme of stage entertainment from 5pm – 8pm
When is the Christmas ice rink and Wheel of Light open in Leicester?
This year there will be a new addition to the city’s festivities, with an ice rink joining the Wheel of Light on Jubilee Square.
The ice rink will open to the public from Saturday 9 December and all through the Christmas period (until 8 January 2018)
Opening times are: 11am – 9pm and the rink will be open seven days a week.
When is the Coca-Cola Christmas truck coming to Leicester?
For parents with kids of a certain age, the Coca-Cola Christmas truck has become an important part of the festive period.
Unfortunately this year the truck is not scheduled to visit Leicester, so if you do want to see it this Christmas you will have to travel a bit further.
See below for the official Coca-Cola Truck Tour 2017 dates:
Visit http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/christmas for more details.
Christmas markets in Leicester
There’s a new addition to the festive season in Leicester this year, as 2017 sees the first Leicester Christmas Market in New Market Square (where the indoor market used to be).
The Christmas market will feature over forty stalls featuring artisan gifts, food, drink and treats – as well as a seating area so you can take a load off and enjoy the festive surroundings.
The Leicester Christmas Market will run from 23 November – 23 December and will be open from 11am everyday. On Monday – Wednesday it will be open til 7pm. On Thursday – Saturday it will be open til 8pm and on Sundays it will be open til 5pm.
There are also a lot of other Christmas markets in Leicester this year, including:
Woodside Animal Christmas Market 2017
Leicester’s Christmas Market, 190 Scudamore Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE3 1UQ
25 Nov 2017 – 26 Nov 2017
11.00am – 6pm
Saturday, Sunday
Start the festive season with a visit to Leicester’s BIGGEST Christmas Market. 50 plus artisan craft stalls, magical santa’s grotto, craft beers, spirits, fabulous food, mini funfair, ice rink, carol singers and brass band … and much more!
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO RSPCA LEICESTER BRANCH
Clarendon Park Christmas Fair 2017
Queens Road, Leicester LE2 1TU
3 December 2017
11.00am – 5pm
Escape the City Centre rush and enjoy your Christmas shopping while supporting independent businesses and local entrepreneurs.
50 stalls selling crafts, unique gifts, homemade food, live entertainment, fairground rides for the kids, and much more. You’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!
Shops, Restaurants and Bars will be open on Queens Road and Clarendon Park Road.
Christmas events in Leicester
As well as the big light switch-on, the Christmas Market and the ice rink and Wheel of Light, there is a lot more going on in Leicester this Christmas.
Some of the Christmas events scheduled this year are:
Frostival Funfair
In St Peter’s Square at Highcross, there will be snow-and-ice-inspired performances for the ‘frostival’ event.
The event will include a frosty Ice Princess, some magical winged dancers and a friendly Snow Lion, from 5pm to 9pm on November 23.
From November 24, there will be a funfair in Humberstone Gate with family-friendly fairground rides.
Christmas shows in Leicester
18 November – 7 January: Scrooge The Musical. Curve
9 – 11 December: Cinderella – A Pumpkin, a Shoe and a Fairy Godmother. Guildhall
15 December – 7 January: Dick Whittington. Little Theatre
16 December – 7 January: Beauty and the Beast. De Montfort Hall
18 December: Snow White & The Seven Dwarves. Y Theatre
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