FROM the lighting of a 44-foot Christmas tree, to a bigger Christmas market, more chances for ice skating and a whole host of seasonal shows, Leicester is set to host one of its biggest festive celebrations this year.
The Christmas in Leicester calendar of events will officially get under way on Wednesday 19 November when the annual switch on celebration will light up the city centre.
This year’s event runs from 5pm until 8pm and will feature a packed Christmas cracker of a programme with music, street entertainment, a fun fair and no less than three light switch-ons.
Cllr Vi Dempster, asst city mayor for culture said: “It’s great to see the huge variety of activities that will be taking place across the city this Christmas, and we are looking forward to kicking off the celebrations by switching on Leicester’s lights.
“There will be music and entertainment taking place in different locations, including Town Hall Square and the city’s shopping centres, providing lots of opportunities for families to move around the city centre and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.”
People are being invited to meet at Leicester Clock Tower, where the event will kick off with an exciting dance flashmob - courtesy of performance company The Movement Project - at 5pm.
The city’s main Christmas decorations, Town Hall Square lights and Clock Tower tree will be the first to light up when cast members from this year’s De Montfort Hall panto – CBeebies’ Rebecca Keatley and West End star Djalenga Scott - flick the switch at 6.30pm.
They’ll be joined on the Haymarket balcony by Father Christmas, LCFC’s Filbert Fox and BBC Radio Leicester’s Ady Dayman, who will be leading the big countdown to the main event.
The Dick Whittington stars will also be lighting up the Haymarket Shopping Centre, joining a representative of Rainbows Children’s Hospice, the centre’s chosen charity, to do the honours at 6.45pm. This event will be hosted by Eava FM and will include entertainment.
The Leicester Riders will then be bringing extra sparkle to Highcross Leicester – which will be adorned with brand new lights and decorations this year - when they turn on the lights in St Peter’s Square at 7pm.
Families are encouraged to enjoy the family entertainment in Town Hall Square, which starts at 5pm and will include a variety of musical performances including the Leicester Cathedral Choir.
Switch-on night will mark the opening of the Christmas Market which will be back in Gallowtree Gate from 19 November to 28 December. This year’s market will include even more stalls offering a range of seasonal goods and food, and will be complemented by a Christmas fayre in Highcross Leicester’s St Peter’s Square.
A festive fairground in Humberstone Gate (19 November-26 December), and costumed street entertainers including The Living Snowglobe and Polar Pip the Polar Bear will add to the magical atmosphere.
Just over one week on from switch-on night will see the opening of Leicester’s real ice rink on Jubilee Square, which will offer skaters an additional week of skating, running from 28 November to 4 January.
The Christmas magic will continue in Leicester thanks to a huge variety of Christmas shows and events ranging from the Sound of Music at Curve, to Dick Whittington at De Montfort Hall and the Leicester Guildhall Christmas Fair.
Leicester’s streets will also be alive with the sound of music thanks to BID Leicester’s Festive Jams, which will be back again this year.
From traditional choirs to live jazz and festive Mariachi bands, visitors can enjoy outdoor musical performances in the city centre during the run up to Christmas. Look out for them from 7pm on 19 November and following Fridays, and from 3pm on Saturdays, with the final performance at 3pm on Christmas Eve.
An exciting new addition to Christmas in Leicester this year comes from Highcross Leicester, which will be hosting a free pop-up panto - Santa’s Secret Workshop every Saturday from 21 November to 20 December.
And Santa will also be dropping in to the Haymarket Shopping Centre, where families can see him and his sleigh on 6 December.
Leicester’s Christmas switch on celebration also marks the start of late-night shopping in the city centre, from Wednesday 19 November.
A festive adventure trail map showing the location of all the key Christmas attractions, along with further details of events and activities, is available on the Visit Leicester website.