LEICESTER’S vibrant communities are taking centre stage for Light Up Leicester as the festival returns to the city.
Light Up Leicester 2025 will focus on the power of creative collaboration, with an incredible programme of community-driven activities accompanying stunning light installations, dazzling performances and colourful festival parades to make the event truly unique.
The festival takes place from 12 to 15 March, and is free to attend.
From young people creating artwork for the festival, to parades featuring hundreds of local participants, Leicester’s communities are at the heart of making the 2025 event happen.
One installation, ‘The Roots of Our Tree’, is being created with the help of over 300 local young people. Working with Leicester-based arts charity Inspirate, participants have crafted metallic oak leaves, each inscribed with symbols representing their roots, heritage and culture.
The Children’s Parade will showcase these leaves on the opening day of the festival, as hundreds of young people process through Leicester’s streets at 11am. The leaves will then form part of an installation which will be on display throughout the rest of the festival.
Shop windows across Leicester city centre will also be transformed into a dazzling art trail as part of ‘My Leicester: Future Stories’, created by Urban Canvas and Light Up Leicester founding partner, Art Reach. Local schools and community groups have worked together to produce vibrant light-painting photographs that celebrate ambition, hope and their visions of Leicester’s future.
Juliet Martin, resident engagement manager at YMCA Leicestershire, said of one of the workshops: "Having Urban Canvas visit us and deliver light drawing workshops with some of our residents was a fantastic opportunity. We work with young people who are often excluded and who don’t get the opportunity to engage in creative workshops, so this was a really great offer and they loved it! They are excited about the festival and can’t wait to visit the city centre to see their artwork on display.”
There are lots of other ways to get involved too - from ‘blinging up’ your bike and joining in with the Illuminated Bike Parade (Thursday 13 March, 6:30pm, register on the Light Up Leicester website), to enjoying interactive performances such as The Holi Experience by Nupur Arts (Friday 14 March, 6:30pm & 7:30pm), an exciting dance event filled with colour throwing and energy.
Other highlights include:
- Radiant Routes Opening Parade (Wednesday 12 March, 6pm): A luminous parade featuring dancers in glowing costumes, celebrating Leicester’s South Asian culture. To get involved in the parade please contact Nupur Arts at info@nupurarts.org.uk.
- FierS à Cheval Festival Finale (Saturday 15 March, 7pm): A magical performance by French street theatre company Compagnie des Quidams, where glowing horses take to the streets.
- Pop-Up Performances (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 March): Keep an eye out for captivating walkabout acts including The Pixel Project, Dry Bones, and Aquanauts Adrift as they bring spontaneous magic to the festival.
- It’s (Lit)erati (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 March, 7pm & 9pm): A vibrant poetry experience curated by Literati Arts at St Martin’s Square.
- Guided tour group walks (Wednesday 12 March at 6:45pm and Friday 15 March at 6:30pm): Bookable through the Light Up Leicester website events & activities page.
Leicester’s businesses are also playing their part, offering tantalising discounts on dining during the festival. Diners can enjoy 25% off the total bill at Kayal, Herb, and Merchant of Venice, 20% off at the Queen of Bradgate, Middleton’s and Restaurant 1573, or enjoy three courses for £20 at Turtle Bay. There are lots more offers and deals available throughout the festival, full details can be found on the Light Up Leicester website offers page.
“As a presenting partner and major sponsor of Light Up Leicester, BID Leicester is proud to be leading the festival’s marketing campaign and ensuring city centre businesses can make the most of this fantastic event”, said Simon Jenner, BID Leicester director.
“With tens of thousands of visitors expected over four nights, it’s a brilliant opportunity for businesses to get involved, whether through special offers, themed events, or participating in the city-wide photographic window trail. Light Up Leicester brings an incredible buzz to the city, and we’re excited to see Leicester’s streets and businesses illuminated once again.”
Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Light Up Leicester is a shining example of how communities and creativity can come together to make something truly special. This year’s festival showcases not only world-class light installations, but also the talents, stories and contributions of the people of Leicester. We look forward to welcoming people to our city for this spectacular event.”
Light Up Leicester is also committed to making the festival accessible to everyone. There will be a dedicated Access Support Hub open every evening from 6pm to 10pm at the Visit Leicester Information Centre, and friendly staff will be ready to assist. Accessible tours are available to help support mobility around the festival for those with additional access needs, including rickshaws, box bikes and gazelles which can carry children and wheelchairs.
From community-led parades to mesmerising light installations, Light Up Leicester 2025 promises something for everyone. Full details of the festival programme and participation opportunities can be found at lightupleicester.com
Light Up Leicester is proudly presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester, Leicester Cathedral, and Art Reach, with the generous support of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Global Streets, PPL PRS, and headline sponsor Highcross.