THERE’LL be a new attraction in Leicester’s Jubilee Square from Friday (12 November), as the preparations for the city’s Christmas celebrations gather pace.
A 22m-high ‘Happy Wheel’ will illuminate the space with its state-of-the-art LED lighting, creating a stunning light show while taking passengers for a spin above the square.
The brand new Happy Wheel will be a feature of the square until the end of November, when it will be replaced by a bigger, more familiar, festive attraction – the 35m-high Wheel of Light.
Operator Jan de-Koning of de-Koning Leisure Group said: “We are very happy to introduce Leicester to our new Happy Wheel, which is the only one of its type in the world.
“It is equipped with a state-of-the-art colour changing LED lighting package, costing over £100,000, that gives a fantastic light show after dark and should be a wonderful addition to the big switch-on on 18 November.
“This wheel’s big brother is undergoing annual maintenance after a long and busy summer season at the coast and a stint in Belgrave Rd for the Diwali celebrations, but it will be back in Leicester in time for its usual run alongside the Christmas ice rink in Jubilee Square.”
The Happy Wheel will open at 7pm on Friday (12 November). Ticket prices on this smaller wheel are £4.50 for adults, £4 for children under 1.4m, and £14 for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children.
Leicester’s Christmas lights will be switched on as part of a packed programme of events next Thursday (18 November).
With COVID-19 rates still high, there will be no stage programme on Humberstone Gate. Instead, a countdown across five locations – played out on speakers at 6.30pm – will herald the switch-on of Leicester’s fabulous Christmas lights.
From 5pm on switch-on night, families will be able to enjoy some free festive films in Green Dragon Square, music and tableau scenes in Town Hall Square, a stunning light installation in Orton Square, funfair rides on Humberstone Gate, and plenty of snow at Highcross.
More information about Christmas in Leicester is available at www.christmasinleicester.co.uk