PEOPLE are being invited to travel through time as Leicester’s Old Town Festival returns to the city later this month.
The fascinating and free family day out will bring together learning and adventure with a range of events and activities in Jubilee Square, at Jewry Wall and across the Old Town area of the city centre, on Saturday 25 April.
Visitors can journey from Roman Leicester to Medieval England, exploring the world of Vikings and Anglo-Saxons plus much more along the way. There will be a packed programme that combines traditional festivities for St George's Day with a celebration of the city’s 2,000 years of history.
The one-day event will feature living history encampments and thrilling Viking combat displays in Jubilee Square, where visitors can explore Brendan the Bold – a life-sized replica Anglo-Saxon longship.
There will also be live performances of epic Old English storytelling inspired by the tale of Beowulf, including a fire-breathing dragon and towering monster.
Over in Cathedral Gardens, people can meet folk from high medieval times, get silly at the Juggling Jesters and Magical Wizard Circus School or enjoy storytelling in the Children’s Bookbus, supporting the National Year of Reading.
There will also be a feast of activities to celebrate St George’s Day, with dragons stalking the grounds, traditional Maypole and Morris dancing and free arts and crafts workshops.
This year’s festival will also feature three themed Heritage Hub Discovery Zones, led by the University of Leicester, where people can meet experts and take part in hands-on activities. An archaeology discovery zone will be located at Jewry Wall Museum and St Nicholas Church; a health and creativity discovery zone will be in Jubilee Square; and the historic Guildhall will host a family and local history discovery zone.
Along with free outdoor activities at Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum, people can discover Roman Leicester with discounted entry to the visitor centre with a special Old Town Festival offers. Old Town Festival discounts are also available for the King Richard III Visitor Centre.
Other attractions include live music at Leicester Cathedral and the Guildhall, where people can also browse artisan market stalls from local independent crafters and traders.
Assistant city mayor for leisure and culture Cllr Vi Dempster said: “The Old Town Festival is a lively and fascinating celebration of Leicester’s rich 2,000-year history.
“There are lots of great free activities to take part in and performances to enjoy, and it’s all taking place in our historic Old Town area. It promises to be an inclusive, informative and exciting festival with something for everyone.”
Leicester’s Old Town festival takes place on Saturday 25 April, from 12 noon until 5pm.
Full details of the programme can be found in the festival brochure, including special offers and information about accessible content such as BSL tours and interpretation, Touch Tours for blind and visually impaired visitors and an Access Support Hub offering a quiet space, advice and information.
To download the brochure, visit www.visitleicester.info/festival/old-town-festival