autumn winter festivals 2011

FESTIVALS&EVENTS

www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals

OCTOBER 2011 – MARCH 2012

LEICESTER

WELCOMEWelcome to your guide to the Autumn and Winter programmeof festivals and events across Leicester City. With a wide variety ofvibrant and entertaining events, there is something on offer forvisitors and residents alike.

This time of year brings us some of the highlights of the calendarincluding Diwali, Christmas Lights Switch On and Abbey ParkBonfire. With the broad array of opportunities, ranging from culturalfestivals and community celebrations to seasons of comedy, musicand history, we hope that this guide inspires you to visit and enjoysome of Leicester and the East Midland’s major festivals andevents.

Peter SoulsbyCity Mayor



DASHERAThursday 6th October6.30pm – 8.00pmCossington Street Recreation GroundDashera is the culmination of the Hindu festival of Navratri, commemoratingthe story of the battle between Lord Rama and King Ravana and the victoryof good over evil. Celebrations include the burning of a huge structurerepresenting King Ravana, children’s funfair rides, a live stage programmeand a spectacular firework display.

T: (0116) 238 5080 E: [email protected]: www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals

LEICESTER CITY MARATHONSunday 9th October9.15amVarious Parks & City CentreStarting and finishing at Victoria Park, the course takesa varied and scenic route through Leicester. As well asthe full marathon, there’s also a half marathon. This year,the beneficiaries of the event will be LOROS Hospice andThe Matt Hampson Trust. New for 2011 is the The TedToft Mile, a one mile race through Victoria Park for keenyoung runners aged between 10 - 16 years old.

T: (0116) 231 8431 W: www.leicestermarathon.org.uk

BLACK HISTORY SEASONOctober – NovemberVarious VenuesBlack History Season promotes the history and contributionthat African and Caribbean communities have made to Leicester,helping to understand the present through our past. The seasonis punctuated with events, talks and workshops for all age groups.

T: (0116) 253 3450 E: [email protected]: www.leicester.gov.uk/blackhistoryseason


DIWALI LIGHTS SWITCH ONSunday 16th October 6.00pm – 9.30pm

DIWALI DAYWednesday 26th October 6.45pm – 9.30pmBelgrave Road & Cossington StreetRecreation GroundDiwali celebrations in Leicester are some of the biggest outside ofIndia, with up to 35,000 people attending the switch on of thelights on Belgrave Road and even more attending on Diwali dayitself. Set in the heart of the city’s Asian community, enjoy afireworks display and live cultural entertainment on stage as thefestival of lights marks the start of the Hindu New Year.

T: (0116) 238 5087 E: [email protected]: www.leicester.gov.uk/diwali

ZIPPOS CIRCUSWednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd OctoberVictoria ParkZippos Circus presents ‘Phoenix’, an all new, all humancircus production, from the UK’s premier circus. This spiritedproduction will fly you on a journey to lands afar with worldclass circus performers from every corner of the globe.

W: www.zipposcircus.co.uk T: 0871 210 2100

Diwali CelebrationsSupported by

HUMBERSTONE PARK BONFIREFriday 4th November6.00pm – 8.30pmHumberstone ParkA community bonfire and fireworks event with live stage programme,fire juggling and a fantastic firework display.


CHRISTMAS LIGHTSSWITCH ONSunday 20th November4.00pm – 5.00pmTown Hall SquareA magical event for all the family, including the switch-onceremony and a programme of stage entertainment.

T: (0116) 238 5082 E: [email protected]: www.leicester.gov.uk/christmas


BRAUNSTONE COMMUNITY BONFIRE AND FIREWORKSFriday 4th November6.00pm - 8.30pmBraunstone ParkLocal community bonfire and fireworks display with a funfair and family activities.

T: (0116) 279 5150

TMABBEY PARK BONFIRE ANDFIREWORK DISPLAYSaturday 5th November5.00pm – 9.30pmAbbey ParkBe dazzled by Leicester’s biggest bonfire and firework display.With 15,000 visitors attending the city’s official celebration,enjoy a fantastic family event with a funfair, food stalls andlive entertainment on stage, hosted by BBC Radio Leicester,and other activities. Plus from the hit CBeebies showWaybuloo, the Piplings will be live on stage. Join in as De Li,Yojojo, Lau Lau and Nok Tok perform all their favourite yogomoves!

5.00pm: Gates open

6.45pm: Children’s fireworks displayfollowed by lighting of the bonfire

8.00pm: Leicester’s biggest firework display

Tickets are available from early October. Please visit websitefor details. Outlets include the Tourist Information Centre inTown Hall Square, New Walk Museum, local libraries oronline via the Eshop at www.goleicestershire.com

T: (0116) 238 5080 E: [email protected]: www.leicester.gov.uk/bonfire


Leicester Museums & Galleries

ONWHAT’S

/leicestermuseums

@leicestermuseum

Pick up our ‘What’s On’guide from our museumsand throughout othervenues in the city.

DIARY OF FESTIVALS & EVENTSDate Event Venue

Oct - Nov Black History Season Various Venues

6th Oct Dashera Cossington Street Recreation Ground

9th Oct Leicester City Marathon Various Parks & City Centre

16th Oct Diwali Lights Switch On Belgrave Road &Cossington Street Recreation Ground

19th – 23rd Oct Zippos Circus Victoria Park

26th Oct Diwali Day Belgrave Road &Cossington Street Recreation Ground

4th Nov Humberstone Park Bonfire Humberstone Park

4th Nov Braunstone Community Bonfire Braunstone Parkand Fireworks

5th Nov Abbey Park Bonfire Abbey Parkand Firework Display

13th Nov Remembrance Day Parade from De Montfort Hall toWar Memorial

20th Nov Nagar Kirtan Various Venues

20th Nov Christmas Lights Switch On Town Hall Square

24th Nov 9th & 12th Royal Lancers Parade Throughout the city

21st – 28th Dec Hannukah Lights Switch On Victoria Park

Jan - Date TBC Annual Muharram Procession Starting at 17a Duxbury Road,Leicester

21st Jan Chinese New Year Celebrations Humberstone Gate

3rd – 19th Feb Leicester Comedy Festival Various Venues

7th March Holi Festival Spinney Hill Park /Cossington Street Recreation Ground

10th March St. Patrick’s Celebration City Centre


HANNUKAH LIGHTS SWITCH ONWednesday 21st – Wednesday 28th DecemberSwitch On Ceremony – Friday 23rd DecemberVictoria ParkHanukkah is an annual Jewish festival which begins at sundown and is celebrated over eight successivedays, with candles lit on each one. Hanukkah commemorates the relighting of the ‘menorah’, the lightwhich signifies Gods presence in the temple. A lighting ceremony will take place at Victoria Park from5.00pm, hosted by the Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation.


LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVALFriday 3rd February – Sunday 19th FebruaryVarious VenuesLeicester Comedy Festival (the longest running comedyfestival in Europe) returns with some of the hottest namesin comedy arriving in venues across the city and county.Past highlights have included Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr,Sarah Millican, Micky Flanagan, Barry Cryer and Milton Jones.Special events include Comedy in the Dark, Hotel D’Comedie,Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition andComedy Heaven.

E: [email protected] W: www.comedy-festival.co.uk

HOLI FESTIVALWednesday 7th March4.00pm - Spinney Hill Park5.00pm - Cossington Street Recreation GroundHoli, sometimes known as the festival of colour, marks the season of spring as the time of renewal, rebirth,hope and the victory of good over evil. In the evening, bonfires are lit and people gather to offer prayers andtake part in a traditional game of smearing each other with coloured dye.T: (0116) 238 5080 E: [email protected] W: www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals

CHINESE NEW YEARCELEBRATIONSSaturday 21st JanuaryHumberstone GateWith a theme of community participation and cultural exchange,celebrate the Year of the Dragon with lion dance and Chinesemusic performances, calligraphy workshops and origami.

T: (0116) 251 7583 E: [email protected]: www.leicesterchinesecentre.org


REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADESunday 13th NovemberApproximately 10.45am, service commencing at 11.00amFrom De Montfort Hall to the War MemorialContingents, veterans and cadets will parade from De Montfort Hall at10.20am to the War Memorial. After the 45 minute service with civic dignitaries,VIP’s and faith representative there will be a march past on Peace Walk.

St. PATRICK’S CELEBRATIONSaturday 10th MarchFrom Leicester Cathedral – Humberstone GateAfter a non-denominational service at Leicester Cathedral, the paradewill gather on Guildhall Lane and head off at 12 noon, finishing atHumberstone Gate. This year, the parade will be led by the BirminghamIrish Pipe and Drum Band followed by three Irish Wolfhounds fromIrish Wolfhound Association of the UK. This will be followed by variouscommunity and dance groups performing under the Big Screen.

T: (0116) 276 9186 W: www.irishinleicester.org.uk

PARADES

NAGAR KIRTANSunday 20th NovemberStarts at 11.00amThe procession will go from East Park Road Temple to Guru Nanak Temple, on Holy Bones. A large processionwill move through the city to celebrate the birthday of the Sikh religion founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.T: (0116) 251 7460

ANNUAL MUHARRAM PROCESSIONJanuary - Date TBCApproximately 1.45pm to 3.30pmStarting at 17A Duxbury Road, LeicesterA procession lamenting the death of Imam Husayn over 1300 years ago. Hundreds of men, women and childrenwear black to keep alive the message of always supporting the truth and never bowing down to falsehood.

9th & 12th ROYAL LANCERSPARADEThursday 24th NovemberApproximately 12.15pmThroughout the CityReturning troops from the 9th and 12th Royal Lancers willparade throughout the city, including an inspection of thetroops, parade and march past in Town Hall Square.


WHAT YOU CAN WATCHON THE BIG SCREENAlongside a continuing programme of local films, news, weather and music, theBig Screen in Humberstone Gate is proud to present some of the highlights fromthe BBC over the autumn including:

October3rd: Rugby World Cup Final9th, 16th, 30th: Grand Prix coverage from Japan,

Korea and India.

November18th: Children in Need18th: World Trampoline and Tumbling Championship27th: Brazilian Grand Prix

2012

January21st: Chinese New Year

February3rd – 19th: Leicester Comedy Festival FilmsFrom 4th Feb – 17th March: 6 Nations Rugby

March10th: St Patricks Celebration23rd: Sports Relief31st: Torch Handover (Athens)

To find out more about what's on at the screen,please visit: www.leicester.gov.uk/bigscreen

Throughout the year, Leicester holds a variety ofmarkets both within the permanent market spaceand in the city centre. To find out more, pleasevisit www.leicestermarket.co.uk

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6363LEICESTER FESTIVALS & EVENTS TEAM:

The Festivals and Events Team directly manage a wide range of activities, including Abbey Park Bonfireand Diwali celebrations. The team also works in partnership with independent organisations to co-promoteand deliver festivals and events. The team provide advice and support for the community and festivalorganisers on staging outdoor and venue based festivals and events within the city and also take bookingsfor parks and open spaces where festivals and events are held.

CONTACT US:T: 0116 238 5082 E: [email protected] W: www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals

/leicesterfestivals @leicesterfest

Leicester Festivals & Events, 1st Floor, Wellington House, Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HL

ADMISSION INFORMATION:Most of the festivals and events listed in this guide are free. For further details, please visit:www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals

TRAVEL INFORMATION:For information on visiting our events:

By public transport, contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233.By rail, contact 08457 484 950.By bicycle: www.leicester.gov.uk/cycle-cityOn foot: www.leicestershealthyheart.co.uk and www.walkit.comBy car: www.leicester.gov.uk/travel

All details are correct at the time of going to print. We apologise for any changes which may be necessary.

autumn winter festivals 2011

Documents

leicester city

enjoysome of leicester

hindu new year

musicand history

community celebrations

lights switch onsunday

city marathonsunday

christmas lights