FAMILIES looking for free and low-cost things to do during the October half-term break should head for Leicester’s libraries and museums.
Dozens of activities are taking place at sites across the city, with fun events inspired by the festival of Diwali or with a spooky theme to mark Halloween.
There are also opportunities to ride a bike on Leicester’s traffic-free bike circuit, take part in Stay & Play sessions at Leicester’s children, young people and family centres, meet Elmer & Friends at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, and help design a mural for Leicester’s Central Library.
Diwali provides the theme for events on Saturday 18 October, with a special Diwali event at the Haymarket shopping centre, featuring student dancers from Nupur Arts, and a magical River of Lights at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre. There will also be Diwali crafts and stories at both Belgrave Library and Rushey Mead Library.
An exhibition of rangoli art runs from Saturday 18 October until Monday 20 October at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, with the chance to make your own rangoli at Belgrave Library on Friday 24 October, while Highcross invites visitors to explore its calming Diwali Light Garden each afternoon from Monday 20 October until Friday 24 October.
Local arts and education organisation Pedestrian is running two sessions of creative graffiti inspired by the festival of lights on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October. Free places on the Diwali sessions can be booked here
From Monday 20 October, the city centre will begin the countdown to Halloween with the launch of the ghoulishly good Great Leicester Ghost Hunt.
By downloading the free My Leicester app, families will be able to track down eight mischievous ghosts, playfully hiding in shop windows and public spaces.
From Roman Centurions to Viking kings and even a ghostly DJ, the trail – which runs until 2 November – is packed with talking reflections, flickering holograms and spooky silhouettes.
Other Halloween-inspired fun includes a free craft workshop at Braunstone library (Saturday 18 October), Wands and Broomsticks at the Guildhall on Thursday 23 October (£4 charge per child when booked in advance or £5 at the door), and a special Halloween event at the Haymarket shopping centre on Friday 24 October.
On Saturday 18 October, the city council’s Doorstep Museum will bring its fascinating Cabinet of Curiosity to the St Philip’s Church Hall on Evington Road, while on Monday 20 October, there’s a chance to Meet the Police at a free family fun day at the Guildhall.
Children aged 5-15 are invited to join a free workshop at the Central Library on Monday 20 October, which will feature fun ways for children to express their ideas through writing and drawing. Places at Ayana’s Mural Workshop are limited so booking is recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tuesday 21 October sees the return of Abbey Pumping Station’s popular Railway Day, when families can enjoy a ride on the narrow gauge railway for just 50p per person (no charge for those aged 3 and under). Entry to the museum and grounds (pictured) is free of charge, so bring a picnic or buy refreshments from the on-site café (cash only please).
Also on Tuesday 21 October, there will be free clay crafting at Leicester Cathedral and the chance to play Wolf Dice at the Pork Pie Library. Children aged eight and over can join Tina the story maker at one of two sessions, with tickets priced at £1.50 for library members (£2 for non members).
The city council’s family learning team will be at Highcross on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 October, with lots of free activities that will highlight the power of stories.
Find The Family Learning Festival in the former North Face unit, next to Next, from 10am until 2pm on both days.
There’s a chance to make a scrapbook at a free drop-in event at Leicester Museum on Thursday 23 October, while cyclists of all ages are invited to get on their bikes on Saturday 25 October and head for the Leicester Cycle Circuit at New College for the last Bike Fest of 2025.
And for free fun in the great outdoors, families can of course enjoy the autumn colours in Leicester’s fabulous parks and open spaces, or follow a tree trail to learn about some of the city’s magnificent trees.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “We’ve rounded up lots of ideas for things to do during the half-term break, with many activities completely free of charge.
“Find out what’s on at your local library, pop in to one of our fabulous museums or check out the free and low-cost events run by other organisations in the city, and enjoy a family day out that won’t cost a fortune.”
Families travelling by bus are reminded that a Family Flexi Day Ticket offers a day of unlimited travel in the Flexi area for up to two adults and three children (aged up to 16) for just £8 during the school holidays.
A guide to dozens of free and low-cost activities taking place in Leicester over the half-term break is available here
Picture caption: Abbey Pumping Station hosts its half-term Railway Day on Tuesday 21 October