Experience the best of the season in Leicester with our detailed guide. From Leicester enthusiasts to curious visitors, our guide ensures a season full of wonder and delight.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Leicester City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On, where the streets come alive with festive illuminations. Alongside this, the enchanting Belvoir Castle 12 Days of Christmas showcases the castle adorned in seasonal decor, offering a magical glimpse into a winter wonderland. And the Twinlakes Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring festive attractions and activities for the whole family. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Leicester
- Leicester City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Belvoir Castle 12 Days of Christmas (Grantham)
- Wheel of Light
- Jubilee Square Ice Rink
- Twinlakes Winter Wonderland (Melton Mowbray)
- Manor Farm Christmas Woodland Wonderland (Lutterworth)
- Lutterworth Victorian Christmas (Lutterworth)
- Market Harborough Christmas Lights Switch On (Market Harborough)
- Festive Loughborough Christmas Lights Switch On (Loughborough)
- Melton Mowbray Christmas Market (Melton Mowbray)
See these and even more events listed below!
Leicester Holiday Light Displays
Leicester City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Iconic Christmas tree centerpiece with live performances.
Description:
Leicester City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On features an enormous Christmas tree, live entertainment, and festive lights illuminating the city centre.
Where: Leicester | More Info: Leicester City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On
Market Harborough Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with live entertainment and a sponsored Christmas tree.
Description:
Market Harborough's Christmas Lights Switch On features a festive atmosphere with live music, stilt walkers, and a Christmas tree illumination, sponsored by Market Harborough Building Society.
Where: Market Harborough | More Info: Market Harborough Christmas Lights Switch On
Oadby Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Spectacular light switch event illuminating the town.
Description:
Oadby Christmas Lights Switch On features a festive market with unique gifts, delicious treats, and a spectacular light switch event.
Where: Oadby | More Info: Oadby Christmas Lights Switch On
Wigston Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with various stalls and entertainment.
Description:
The Wigston Christmas Light Switch On is a community event featuring stalls, entertainment, and the lighting of the town's Christmas lights on Leicester Road.
Where: Wigston | More Info: Wigston Christmas Lights Switch On
South Wigston Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Community event with light switch-on and diverse family-friendly activities.
Description:
South Wigston Christmas Lights Switch On features a community event with light switch-on, stalls, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
Where: South Wigston | More Info: South Wigston Christmas Lights Switch On
Festive Loughborough Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Interactive light display with live stage entertainment.
Description:
Loughborough's Christmas lights switch-on event features a variety of market stalls, food and drink stands, stage entertainment, and children's fairground rides. Local radio station Fosse 107 hosts the event, which includes a special performance by talented performers on the main stage.
Where: Loughborough | More Info: Festive Loughborough Christmas Lights Switch On
Leicester Holiday Markets and Shopping
Melton Mowbray Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional Victorian-themed market with Santa's Grotto and live music.
Description:
The Melton Mowbray Christmas Market offers a traditional Christmas experience with an array of festive gifts, local produce, food, and drink, along with hand-crafted wares and live music entertainment.
Where: Melton Mowbray | More Info: Melton Mowbray Christmas Market
Leicester Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Lutterworth Victorian Christmas
What to Expect:
Tribute performances to legendary musicians.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas with two fantastic shows at Kilworth House Hotel: A Diamond Christmas, a tribute to Neil Diamond, and The Rat Pack at Christmas, featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Where: Lutterworth | More Info: Lutterworth Victorian Christmas
1620s House Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas celebrations in a 17th-century setting.
Description:
The 1620s House & Garden offers a glimpse into how Christmas was celebrated in the past. The event features beautifully decorated 17th-century style gardens and a variety of activities that showcase traditional Christmas practices.
Where: Donington le Heath | More Info: 1620s House Christmas Events
Twycross Zoo Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with beloved characters.
Description:
Twycross Zoo's Christmas at the Gruffalo Discovery Land features the Gruffalo, his Child, and Santa in an immersive deep dark wood experience.
Where: Twycross | More Info: Twycross Zoo Winter Wonderland
Leicester Other Holiday Activities
Belvoir Castle 12 Days of Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with twinkling lights and activities.
Description:
Celebrate the festive season at Belvoir Castle Retail Village with twinkling lights and family fun activities.
Where: Grantham | More Info: Belvoir Castle 12 Days of Christmas
Twinlakes Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Heated indoor play zones and a top-notch family Christmas grotto.
Description:
Twinlakes Winter Wonderland offers a variety of activities including gingerbread decorating, Christmas hunts, and real reindeer, set amidst a park transformed by twinkling lights and illuminated displays.
Where: Melton Mowbray | More Info: Twinlakes Winter Wonderland
Manor Farm Christmas Woodland Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive animal experiences and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Explore Manor Farm Park & Woodlands during Christmas, featuring over 20 types of animals, woodlands to explore, and both indoor and outdoor play areas. Enjoy hot and cold food at great prices, picnic benches, and pathways suitable for pushchair access.
Where: Lutterworth | More Info: Manor Farm Christmas Woodland Wonderland
Jubilee Square Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Covered ice rink with themed events and skating aids.
Description:
Jubilee Square Ice Rink offers real ice skating under a covered roof, perfect for all ages and weather conditions. Super off-peak pricing allows for affordable sessions, and skating aids are available for younger skaters. The rink hosts themed events and quiet sessions, making it a versatile and enjoyable experience.
Where: Leicester | More Info: Jubilee Square Ice Rink
Wheel of Light
What to Expect:
360° views of Leicester's skyline from 110 feet.
Description:
The Wheel of Light is a 35-metre Observation Wheel offering 360° views of Leicester's stunning skyline. Each ride lasts approximately 8-10 minutes, rising to 110 feet for breathtaking views of the Golden Mile and beyond.
Where: Leicester | More Info: Wheel of Light
Tropical Birdland Christmas Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Tropical Birdland's Christmas event features Santa's grotto, fairy friends, Snow Queen, mascots, and festive stalls amidst a beautifully decorated environment.
Where: Desford | More Info: Tropical Birdland Christmas Winter Wonderland
Great Central Railway Santa Specials
What to Expect:
Luxury holiday train ride with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
Join Great Central Railway for a heart-warming journey with Santa and beloved Christmas characters. Enjoy scenic views, festive decorations, and special treats. Premium private compartments offer a luxurious experience with extra goodies.
Where: Quorn | More Info: Great Central Railway Santa Specials
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Oadby (3 miles)
- Wigston Magna (4 miles)
- Loughborough (9 miles)
- Coalville (12 miles)
- Hinckley (12 miles)
- Melton Mowbray (14 miles)
- Market Harborough (14 miles)
- Nuneaton (16 miles)
- Bedworth (18 miles)
- Long Eaton (19 miles)
- Rugby (19 miles)
- West Bridgford (20 miles)
- Swadlincote (20 miles)
- Corby (21 miles)
- Nottingham (22 miles)
- Coventry (23 miles)
- Tamworth (24 miles)
- Kettering (24 miles)
- Ilkeston (24 miles)
- Burton upon Trent (24 miles)
- Derby (24 miles)
- Arnold (25 miles)
- Daventry (26 miles)
- Stamford (27 miles)
- Hucknall (27 miles)
- Heanor (28 miles)
- Kenilworth (28 miles)
- Grantham (28 miles)
- Northampton (29 miles)
- Sutton Coldfield (29 miles)
- Lichfield (29 miles)
- Royal Leamington Spa (29 miles)
- Ripley (29 miles)
- Wellingborough (30 miles)
- Belper (30 miles)
- Washwood Heath (31 miles)
- Warwick (31 miles)
- Solihull (31 miles)
- Acocks Green (32 miles)
- Kirkby in Ashfield (32 miles)
- Newark on Trent (32 miles)
- Rushden (33 miles)
- Shirley (33 miles)
- Aston (33 miles)
- Alfreton (33 miles)
- Burntwood (33 miles)
- Brownhills (34 miles)
- Birmingham (34 miles)
- Sutton in Ashfield (34 miles)
- Mansfield (34 miles)
- Rugeley (35 miles)
- Walsall (36 miles)
- Bloxwich (37 miles)
- West Bromwich (37 miles)
- Peterborough (37 miles)
- Cannock (38 miles)
- Wednesbury (38 miles)
- Bartley Green (39 miles)
- Willenhall (39 miles)
- Stratford-upon-Avon (39 miles)
- Tipton (40 miles)
- Wednesfield (40 miles)
- Halesowen (41 miles)
- Banbury (41 miles)
- Dudley (41 miles)
- Redditch (41 miles)
- Wolverhampton (42 miles)
- Spalding (42 miles)
- Stafford (43 miles)
- Brierley Hill (43 miles)
- Chesterfield (44 miles)
- Milton Keynes (44 miles)
- Bromsgrove (44 miles)
- Stourbridge (44 miles)
- Staveley (44 miles)
- Bedford (45 miles)