MEET a fire-breathing dragon, learn to march like a Centurion and help to recreate the entrance to a Roman Forum by taking part in Leicester’s newest free festival next month!
The Old Town Festival on 26 & 27 April will incorporate traditional festivities for St George’s Day and a celebration of the city’s fascinating Roman heritage.
Centring on Jubilee Square and the Old Town area of the city centre, the free festival will also feature an urban mosaic workshop at the Guildhall, a living history Roman camp, an artisan craft market and themed storytelling aboard the children’s bookbus.
Hands-on archaeology, Roman theatre, craft activities and Morris dancing will also be on offer, along with face-painting and a dress-up booth so that young festival-goers can become gallant knights, fearsome dragons or magical maidens!
A fire-breathing dragon will be on the loose in Cathedral Gardens, alongside stilt-walking jesters, magical wizards and a trio of clumsy knights taking on daring quests. Over at Jubilee Square, you can take part in Roman warrior training, where you can learn to march like a legionnaire, wield a sword like a true centurion, or raise a shield to victory.
Assistant city mayor for leisure and culture Cllr Vi Demspter said: “The Old Town Festival is a new event for 2025, bringing together our traditional St George’s Day celebrations and Leicester’s rich 2,000-year history and Roman heritage.
“There are lots of great free activities to take part in, and it’s all taking place in our historic Old Town.
“As well as activities for kids and families, there is also a fantastic programme of trails, talks and debates about the Roman world, meaning that this promises to be a really inclusive and exciting festival with something for everyone.”
There’s the chance to get involved in the week running up to the festival, too. The Haymarket shopping centre will be hosting a day of free fun on Thursday 24 April, with a dragon on the loose, mosaic and toga making, and fun arts and craft activities.
And there will be something never before seen in Leicester! At Highcross from 21-25 April, renowned French artist Olivier Grossetête will recreate a huge life-size construction of a lost piece of the city's history using just cardboard and tape.
St George and the dragon
Image: A. Lyleire
Image: Tynesight media
Graham Callister, head of festivals and events at Leicester City Council said: “With your help, we'll rebuild the grand entrance to the Roman Forum as it may have looked in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. This monumental and unique project combines history, art, and community spirit.
“Over five days, there will be 10 hands-on workshops at the Highcross Shopping Centre. Then, on Saturday 26 April, participants and passers-by will come together to assemble the structure at Jubilee Square, the site of the original Roman Forum. The following day, Sunday, 27 April, festival-goers will help bring the project to a dramatic close by dismantling it. We’re inviting everyone to participate in the workshops, build and demolition!”
Support for the Old Town festival has come from the council’s partners BID Leicester, Global Streets, Arts Council England, Highcross Leicester, Haymarket Shopping Centre and Hidden Histories.
Simon Jenner from BID Leicester said: "The Old Town Festival is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Leicester’s rich history while bringing exciting, free experiences to the city centre. Events like this create a real buzz, attracting visitors and benefiting local businesses. The festival will shine a spotlight on the city’s Roman past, with an incredible recreation of Leicester's historic Roman Forum by renowned artist Olivier Grossetête, built entirely from cardboard with the help of the public. We’re proud to support a festival that brings our heritage to life in such an engaging and interactive way.”
The workshops are suitable for anyone aged 9+. To reserve a place, email festivals@leicester.gov.uk
To find out more, see www.visitleicester.info
Festival brochures will also be available soon from the Visit Leicester information centre, within the KRIII Visitor Centre at 4A St Martins, Leicester, LE1 5DB.
ENDS
Main image: Artist Olivier Grossetête's creation at NOVUM Newcastle Summer Festival 2023, photo by Tynesite Media