Get ready for live art workshops, mural tours, a new street art trail and loads of free, family-friendly fun as Open Streets returns!
The popular mini-festival, organised by the city council, aims to encourage people to explore the city by walking, wheeling or cycling.
The first Open Streets of 2026 is the Graffwerk Street Art Jam, bringing activities and events out onto the streets of Leicester on Sunday 31 May. Join in the fun from 1-4pm in and around Graffwerk HQ in Jarvis Street, in the Waterside area of the city.
Artists will be creating live street art and hosting spray-painting workshops; there will be hands-on upcycling craft activities to get involved with, and there will be food trucks, live music and bike rides for all. Free bike maintenance is also available, plus secure cycle parking for anyone who arrives by bike.
To help celebrate the city’s wonderful array of internationally acclaimed street art, a new trail has been launched, with brochures available to pick up at Open Streets. It suggests walking routes for different areas of the city so that you can spot some of Leicester’s most eye-catching street art. There will also be free guided tours of some of the city’s street art highlights, where people can learn more about the stunning murals and the artists who created them.
Izzy Peacock, co-director at Graffwerk, said: “It’s great to be working with the Open Streets team to deliver a street art-focused day for people of all ages to enjoy. We’re especially excited to launch the new street art trail, developed in collaboration with Leicester City Council, as part of the day’s celebrations.”
Assistant city mayor Cllr Geoff Whittle, who leads on environment and transport, said: “At Open Streets, we bring events out onto the street and make them places where people can gather. The result is a great sense of community, a festival atmosphere and a place where it simply makes sense to get around on foot, on wheels or by bike.
“It’s great to see the return of the Street Art Jam, in partnership with local street art experts Graffwerk. It was hugely successful last year, with more than 1,000 people attending, and I’m sure it will be just as popular again.
"There will be lots more fun, free and family-friendly activities as Open Streets returns in August and September, with each event having its own theme and a full programme of free activities to enjoy.”
For full details visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicester-open-streets
The street art trail will also be available on the Visit Leicester website and BID Leicester’s My Leicester app.
ENDS