LEICESTER’S Riverside Festival returns next month – and this year it’s bigger than ever, with more locations, more free activities and an exciting new collaboration with De Montfort University (DMU).
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, the family-friendly festival on and around the River Soar’s Mile Straight will offer a packed programme of activities both on and off the water, with boat rides, kayaking sessions, dragon boat racing (Sunday only), live music and performance, international street food, licensed bars, craft markets and even a pop-up art gallery.
Little ones and their families should head for the dedicated family zone in the Bede Park tipi, where they’ll find mini discos, bubble parties and children’s entertainment from 12-2pm on both days, while Ride Leicester has teamed up with Danny Butler to bring his jaw-dropping mountain bike skills to DMU’s campus in a display that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
The Piazza Stage will feature live music from local talent – with a programme curated by HQ Recordings, EAVA FM, 2 Funky Arts, Soft Touch Arts and Leics Introducing – while there’ll be a more relaxed vibe in Castle Gardens, with acoustic sessions around the maypole from 1pm and a chill-out area where everyone is welcome.
And for those who want to explore the history of the area, there’s an opportunity to travel back in time to 1645, with a 17th century living history camp and a thrilling live skirmish – complete with muskets and loud cannons – that will recreate the drama of the Siege of Leicester.
Hidden Histories Heritage Events' spectacular – but safe - re-enactment will bring the past to life, with battles taking place on The Newarke from 2pm to 3pm on both days.
DMU’s heritage sites will be open too, with free entry to Leicester Castle’s Great Hall, Trinity Chapel, the Herb Garden and the DMU Museum, while the incorporation of DMU’s Cultural eXchanges festival into the event will bring an electrifying mix of performances and workshops to this year’s Riverside Festival.
Organised by students in the final year of their Arts and Festivals Management degree, the Cultural eXchanges programme will feature dance, performance and workshops at DMU’s Campus Centre from 12 noon on both days.
Jill Cowley, pro vice chancellor skills & training and dean of faculty of arts, design & humanities at De Montfort University, said: “DMU is thrilled that its annual Cultural eXchanges festival is now part of the hugely popular Riverside Festival. We’re proud to partner with the city council to help put on this fabulous event and look forward to welcoming visitors to our campus on June 7th and 8th.”
DMU’s campus is one of a number of Riverside Festival locations this year. As well as the Mile Straight, activities will also be taking place at Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard and – for the first time – The Newarke.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for leisure and culture, said: “The Riverside Festival is Leicester’s largest free festival, attracting thousands of visitors to the city each year.
“This year, it’s bigger than ever, thanks to our collaboration with De Montfort University.
“Like all our festivals, the aim of the Riverside Festival is to bring people together – and from 7-8 June, we want to invite as many people as possible to join us in celebrating Leicester’s waterways, exploring the city’s heritage, and discovering De Montfort University’s stunning campus.
“It’s also a chance to showcase the diversity of our communities and enjoy the food, music, dance and arts that make Leicester so special.
“I hope that the weather will be kind to us and we can look forward to a fun-packed Riverside Festival that will offer something for everyone.”
The Riverside Festival runs from 12 noon until 6pm on Saturday 7 June and from 12 noon until 5pm on Sunday 8 June. A full festival programme is available to download at visitleicester.info/festival/riverside-festival/
Anyone who can muster a crew of 10 enthusiastic rowers and would like to take part in the dragon boat races on Sunday 8 June should email rob@prostaid.co.uk