PEOPLE are being urged to vote for Leicester’s Riverside Festival after it was shortlisted in two categories at the UK Festival Awards 2026.
The city’s largest free annual festival has been nominated for both Best Inner City Festival and Best Initiative for Emerging Talent, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in Manchester on 1 December.
Public voting is now open, and closes on 2 November.
Established in 1997 as part of Leicester’s riverside regeneration programme, Riverside Festival attracts more than 60,000 visitors each year and is one of the biggest free festivals in the East Midlands. The event brings together music, performance, arts, culture and community activities, celebrating Leicester’s diversity and creativity while supporting the city’s visitor economy.
The festival is delivered by the city council’s festivals and events team in conjunction with a wide range of partners, including De Montfort University, local artists and performers, community organisations, traders, volunteers and cultural organisations from across the city.
Assistant city mayor for culture, Councillor Vi Dempster, said DRAFT: “We are absolutely delighted that Riverside Festival has been recognised with not one but two nominations at this year’s UK Festival Awards.
“Riverside has become one of Leicester’s best-loved events, bringing tens of thousands of people together every year to enjoy free, high-quality arts, culture and entertainment in the heart of our city.
“These nominations are a tribute to the enormous contribution of our festivals team, partners, funders, artists, volunteers, traders and community organisations who work so hard to make Riverside Festival such a success. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the festival over the years and encourage residents, visitors, colleagues and partners to cast their vote and help us showcase Leicester on a national stage.”
Riverside Festival plays an important role in supporting Leicester’s cultural and creative industries, providing opportunities for local artists, performers and young people. The festival offers student internships, volunteering opportunities, paid young producer roles and industry experience, helping to develop the city’s future creative workforce.
The festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027 with exciting ambitions to continue growing as a flagship cultural event for Leicester.
People can vote for Riverside Festival in the Best Inner City Festival and Best Initiative for Emerging Talent categories before voting closes on 2 November.
To vote, visit https://festivalawards.com/
ENDS