FAMILIES looking for a low-cost day out this summer should check out what’s on in Leicester’s children’s centres, parks, libraries and museums.
As schools prepare to close for the long break, the city council is getting ready to open its venues for a summer of affordable fun, with the chance to explore a heritage building, ride on a steam train, dress up as a superhero, or enjoy the sound of a brass band amongst the ideas on offer.
Events coming up at Leicester’s museums include garden games and craft activities at Toy Stories at Newarke Houses Museum on Monday (17 July), weekly Railway Days at Abbey Pumping Station from Tuesday (18 July), a Wonderland Adventure at Belgrave Hall on Wednesday 26 July, Cops & Robbers at the Guildhall on Thursday 27 July, and a Heritage Sunday on 30 July, when buildings including the ancient Magazine and the Great Hall of Leicester Castle will be open to the public.
Other events taking place at Belgrave Hall include the Magical Garden on Wednesday 2 August, a Wizard School on 9 August and Superheroes v Pirates on 23 August, while the Guildhall hosts Gruesome Gargoyles & Castles of Clay on Thursday 3 August and Knights & Princesses on 10 August.
People are invited to bring a picnic to Newarke Houses Museum on 15 August and join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, while a family-friendly Punch & Judy show is part of a special Puppet Paradise on 27 August.
Admission to Leicester’s museums is free of charge, but there’s a small charge for activities and special events and some events require pre-booking. Full details are on the museums’ website at leicestermuseums.org
Leicester’s libraries will be promoting a summer of reading, with a brand new sports and game-themed Summer Reading Challenge.
Ready, Set, Read! will encourage youngsters to walk, skip or scoot to their local library, where they’ll pick up stickers and rewards for every book that they read.
To mark the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge, free activities will run at Aylestone, Highfields and New Parks libraries on Monday (17 July); Beaumont Leys, the BRITE Centre, Hamilton and Knighton libraries on Tuesday (18 July); Belgrave, Central, Fosse and St Barnabas libraries on Wednesday (19 July); and Evington, Pork Pie, Rushey Mead, St Matthews and Westcotes libraries on Thursday (20 July). All sessions run from 1pm-3pm.
A free family fun session, with games, puzzles, crafts and stories, will also take place at each of Leicester’s libraries between 24 July and 17 August. Families can find out when their local library will be hosting its Fun Afternoon here
Some libraries will also be hosting additional workshops and activities, which are free to attend but must be booked in advance. More information is available at leicester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge
Another idea for a low-cost day out is to pack up a picnic, a ball and some outdoor games and head for one of Leicester’s beautiful parks. On Sundays throughout the summer, the council’s Bands on Parks programme brings live music to one park each week – and the timetable of free performances is available here
From Monday (17 July) until Friday 25 August, young children and families can enjoy free activities at Leicester’s children, young people and family centres.
The Get Up & Go programme will include lots of indoor and outdoor fun, such as skipping, circus skills and giant games, as well as a chance to have a go on the new smoothie and spin art bikes.
Times vary at each venue so people are advised to check the timetable at families.leicester.gov.uk/getupandgo or to call their local children’s centre
Town Hall Square will host mini Playdays on Wednesdays throughout the summer, with giant outdoor games, story-time, arts & crafts and a dedicated area for babies. Mini Playdays will take place from 11am-2pm on Wednesday 19 July, 26 July, 9 August and 16 August, with the big one – National Playday – transforming Town Hall Square into a giant playground on Wednesday 2 August.
A free Summer Extravaganza on Victoria Park on Wednesday 23 August will bring the Get Up & Go programme to a close.
There are also lots of opportunities to have fun at one of Leicester’s many free summer festivals. This year’s programme includes Journeys Festival International (22-23 July), Cosmopolitan Arts Festival (29 July), the Caribbean Carnival (5 August – entry charge applies to carnival village), the Leicester Belgrave Mela (20 August) and a new event for the Bank Holiday weekend called re/action (26-27 August).
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “We’ve got lots of ideas for low-cost and no-cost activities that children and families will enjoy this summer.
“Whether it’s jumping on a steam train at Abbey Pumping Station, taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, having fun at a festival, or joining us for a playday in Town Hall Square, there’s plenty going on from now until the end of August.”
More ideas for things to do in Leicester can be found at visitleicester.info
A summary of some of the free and low-cost events scheduled to take place in Leicester this summer is below:
What’s on in Leicester this summer
Activities are free, unless otherwise indicated
Sun 16 July
- Croft Silver Band, Braunstone Park walled garden. 3pm-4pm
Mon 17 July
- Toy Stories at Newarke Houses Museum, 11am-3pm. £3 charge for activities
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
- Summer Reading Challenge at Aylestone, Highfields & New Parks libraries
Tues 18 July
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Summer Reading Challenge at Beaumont Leys, BRITE, Hamilton & Knighton
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
Weds 19 July
- Mini Playday in Town Hall Square, 11am-2pm.
- Summer Reading Challenge at Belgrave, Central, Fosse, St Barnabas
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
Thurs 20 July
- Summer Reading Challenge at Evington, Pork Pie, Rushey Mead, St Matthews and Westcotes libraries
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
- Bad Dad by David Walliams. Outdoor theatre at Belgrave Hall. Tickets £15.
Fri 21 July
- An Indian Summer: ‘Sholay’ on the outdoor screen, Jubilee Square. 6pm.
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
Sat 22 July
- Journeys Festival International. City centre.
Sun 23 July
- Journeys Festival International. City centre.
- An Indian Summer. Orton Square. 11am-7.30pm
- Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra, Evington Park. 3pm-4pm
Mon 24 July
- Family fun at New Parks library, 1pm-4pm
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
Tues 25 July
- Archaeology Family Fun Day at the Guildhall. 11am-3pm. £3. Booking essential.
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
- Family fun at Beaumont Leys library, 1pm-4pm
Weds 26 July
- Wonderland Adventure at Belgrave Hall. 11am-3pm. £3 for activities (cash only)
- Family fun St Barnabas library, 1pm-4pm
- Storytelling on the Bookbus, Town Hall Square (morning only)
- Mini Playday in Town Hall Square, 11am-2pm
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
- Cops & Robbers at the Guildhall, 11am-3pm. £3 charge.
- Family fun at Pork Pie library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
Fri 28 July
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
Sat 29 July
- Cosmopolitan Arts Festival. City centre. 2pm-10pm.
- Bike Fest. Leicester Cycle Circuit, New College. 1pm-4pm.
- Heritage Sunday: explore Leicester Castle’s Great Hall, The Magazine and more.
- Midland Makers’ Summer Market. LCB Depot, Rutland St. 1pm-5pm.
- Afro City Jazz Band, Spinney Hill Park. 3pm-4pm
- Open Streets: Green Dragon Square/city centre. 1pm-4pm
Mon 31 July
- Family fun at Aylestone library, 1pm-4pm
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
Tues 1 Aug
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Family fun at Knighton library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
- Ride Leicester Festival: free activities daily throughout August. Details to follow.
Weds 2 Aug
- National Play Day, Town Hall Square. 11am-3pm
- Magical Garden at Belgrave Hall. 11am-3pm. £3 for activities (cash only)
- Family fun at Central library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
Thurs 3 Aug
- Gruesome Gargoyles & Castles of Clay. The Guildhall, 11am-3pm. £3 charge.
- Family fun at St Matthews library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
Fri 4 Aug
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
Sat 5 Aug
- Caribbean Carnival, city centre & Victoria Park (admission charge applies)
- The Melton Band, Abbey Park. 3pm-4pm
- Peter Crebbin’s Cool Swing Band, Western Park. 3pm-4pm.
Mon 7 Aug
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
- Family fun at Highfields library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
Tues 8 Aug
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Family fun at the BRITE Centre, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
Weds 9 Aug
- Wizard School at Belgrave Hall. 11am-3pm. £3 (cash only)
- Family fun at Belgrave library, 1pm-4pm
- Mini Playday in Town Hall Square, 11am-2pm
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
Thurs 10 Aug
- Knights & Princesses, The Guildhall. 11am-3pm. £3 for activities.
- Family fun at Evington & Rushey Mead libraries, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
Fri 11 Aug
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
- Curve on the Square. Orton Square. 11am-7.30pm.
Sat 12 Aug
- Curve on the Square. Orton Square. 11am-7.30pm
- For the Love of Jazz. Jubilee Square and city centre venues
Sun 13 Aug
- Curve on the Square. Orton Square. 11am-7.30pm.
- For the Love of Jazz. Jubilee Square and city centre venues
- Syston Band, Monks Rest Gardens. 3pm-4pm
Mon 14 Aug
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
Tues 15 Aug
- Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Newarke Houses Museum, 11am-3pm. £3 for crafts.
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Family fun at Hamilton library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
Weds 16 Aug
- Woodland Safari at Belgrave Hall. 11am-3pm. £3 (cash only).
- Family fun at Fosse library, 1pm-4pm
- Mini Playday in Town Hall Square, 11am-2pm
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
Thurs 17 Aug
- Wizard World at the Guildhall. 11am-3pm. £3 charge for crafts.
- Family fun at Westcotes library, 1pm-4pm
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
Fri 18 Aug
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
- Punk Festival Weekender: various venues. Charges apply for some events.
Sat 19 Aug
- Archaeological Finds Day, Newarke Houses Museum. 10am-3pm
- Punk Festival Weekender: Scooterama v Punkorama, Jubilee Square. 12-3pm
- Summer Family Fun Day, Abbey Pumping Station. 12 noon-4.30pm. Adults £4 (cash only); under 16s free.
- Leicester Belgrave Mela. City Centre. 11am-6pm.
- Punk Festival Weekender: Closing party, O2 Academy. Ticketed event.
- Southfields Concert Brass Band, Aylestone Hall Gardens. 3pm-4pm.
Mon 21 Aug
- Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
- Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres
Tues 22 Aug
- Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
- Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres
Weds 23 Aug
- Summer Extravaganza at Victoria Park. 11am-3pm.
- Superheroes v Pirates at Belgrave Hall. 11am-3pm. £3 (cash only).
- Get Up & Go at Beaumont Leys children’s centre
Thurs 24 Aug
- Medieval Mayhem at the Guildhall. 11am-3pm. £3 charge for activities.
- Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres
Fri 25 Aug
- Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre
- re/action Festival. City centre. 12 noon-6pm
- Bike Fest. Leicester Cycle Circuit, New College. 1pm-4pm.
Sun 27 Aug
- Puppet Paradise, Newarke Houses Museum, 12-3pm. £3 charge for crafts.
- re/action Festival.City centre. 12 noon-6pm
- Hathern Youth & Concert Brass, Humberstone Park. 3pm-4pm
- Heritage Sunday: explore Leicester Castle’s Great Hall, The Magazine and more.
- Open Streets: Green Dragon Square/city centre. 1pm-4pm
NB Information was correct at 11 July 2023 but programme is subject to change. Please check websites for latest information.