Attention art lovers, history buffs, food and drink connoisseurs!
Leicestershire will offer even more for visitors this year with a host of new openings, events, anniversaries, experiences and new attractions planned for 2025.
Leicester City Events
Jewry Wall Museum and Visitor Centre, Leicester
Summer 2025
The re-opening of Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum is part of an exciting multi-million-pound transformation and is anticipated to re-open in time for summer 2025. The transformed museum will showcase the history of Roman Leicester through a groundbreaking exhibition that places the people of Roman Leicester at its heart.
Visitors can look forward to a real Roman experience, featuring an immersive and interactive journey featuring original Roman artefacts, including some of Britain’s finest mosaics, all found beneath Leicester’s city streets.
Old Town Festival (Roman Edition)
Jubilee Square & Cathedral Quarter in Leicester
12-5pm, 26-27 April
The St George’s Day festival will be expanding this year to include the Romans! Come face-to-face with the civilisation that shaped the city of Leicester 2,000 years ago. More details coming soon!
10th anniversary of the reinterment of King Richard III
Leicester Cathedral
12-31 March
The discovery of the medieval English King, Richard III in a car park in Leicester captured the imagination of Leicester, the nation and the world. The ongoing legacy of this story and the final resting place of Richard III at Leicester Cathedral continues to bring people from all across the world to visit.
2025 marks 10 years since the reinternment of Richard III in Leicester Cathedral. To mark this important anniversary, Leicester Cathedral will be hosting a three-week programme of events including talks, installations, concerts, a special afternoon tea and more.
Light Up Leicester 2025
Leicester city centre
12-15 March
This coming March, visit Leicester for a monumental celebration of the city, which quite literally shines a spotlight on its streets and communities. Light Up Leicester 2025 will be one of the region’s leading light festivals this spring. You can see streets illuminate with awe-inspiring local and international artworks, evenings of performance, night markets and immersive experiences for all the family.
At a time when the city heralds the 10th anniversary of King Richard III’s reinterment, marks the month of Ramadan and celebrates Holi Festival, the four-day event is an exciting time to visit!
The Grand Hotel, Leicester
Summer 2025
The Grand Hotel Leicester will be known as The Grand Hotel Leicester by The Unlimited Collection by September 2025, welcoming guests to experience the opulence of the Grade II-listed Victorian building that has played host to several historic events.
The hotel’s 104 rooms and suites, restaurant and extensive conference facilities are undergoing a major refurbishment before reopening fully in the summer.
Melton Mowbray events
Motherhood of Belvoir – New Exhibition
Belvoir Castle
29 March – 11 May
Step into a unique celebration of motherhood, exploring the rich tapestry of maternal love, strength and legacy through the ages. Treat your mum to an unforgettable afternoon, beginning with a visit to the captivating exhibition that explores the strength, love and legacy of motherhood through art and history—all included at our standard castle entry price. After the exhibition, enjoy the stunning surroundings of Belvoir Castle for a truly memorable day.
Comic Con
The Stockyard, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1JY
3 May
An affordable, fun-filled day for the entire family, with a commitment to inclusivity for all. There will be 100 exhibitor tables, so you can shop to your heart’s content. Tonnes of geeky memorabilia and handmade crafts, with everything from high-end comics and action figures to gifts and trinkets suitable for all ages. Funko Pops, trading cards, Lego, action figures, hot toys and much more!
SKA Festival
Play Close Park, Melton Mowbray
26 July
A line up of some of the UK’s best SKA and reggae bands alongside up-and-coming bands who are making their name on the SKA scene. Welcoming the musical talents of Gladness, Stereotype, Kingsize, Skabratts, Tann-I Browne, The Dualer International and many more, Melton SKA Fest 2025 will also feature SKA DJs from Bootboy Radio, merch from Raw Menswear, a beer tent and much more.
Melton Motor Pageant
10 August
A family-oriented car show with live music which has something for all car enthusiasts, from classics to high-performance cars.
Brand NEW Market – Melton Borough Market - Every 3rd Friday of the Month
The best purveyors of food, drink and crafts in the region will offer a fantastic choice of local produce, ingredients and gifts and a wonderful shopping experience in the heart of Melton Mowbray, the rural capital of food.
Market Harborough events
2025 Waterways Festival (with Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and Canal & River Trust)
Market Harborough
7-8 June
IWA Leicestershire Branch plans to hold a Waterways Festival in 2025 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the first Festival of Boats and Arts, which was held at Market Harborough. The festival will feature historic and private boats, floating traders, land-based stalls, food, ice cream, music and much more.
Hinckley & Bosworth events
Opening of new animal habitat
Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire
Spring
Leading conservation charity, Twycross Zoo will be opening a brand-new animal habitat in spring 2025 at the Midlands-based 100-acre zoo. Though the full list of species and details around this exciting new habitat are yet to be announced, the zoo has revealed that this new area will be the home to a series of brand-new arrivals.
The exciting new habitat will become the home for over ten awe-inspiring species, including some of the world’s most endangered reptiles and insects. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to get closer-than-ever to some of the zoo’ cold-blooded creatures, including an impressive 3m long boa constrictor.
If you’re planning a visit to Twycross Zoo or one of the other nearby attractions, you can extend your stay at one of the local hotels. The Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Hinckley Island has recently installed new electric vehicle (EV) chargers to promote sustainability and enhance its eco-friendly initiatives.
As part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the hotel now offers guests and visitors the convenience of charging their electric vehicles while staying there or attending events. The addition of these chargers aligns with the growing demand for sustainable travel options and supports the hotel's goal to be more environmentally responsible.
10th anniversary of the reinterment of King Richard III
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
21-23 March
Bosworth Battlefield will also be commemorating the 10-year anniversary of King Richard III’s reinterment at Leicester Cathedral. Come along to the action-packed weekend that includes a special ceremony on the 22nd and re-enactments, living history camps, a new exhibition about the return of the King, family crafts and more.
Official launch of the Bosworth 1485 Sculpture Trail
22 August
A new trail will be launched in Leicestershire to tell the incredible story of the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and the resulting death in battle of King Richard III.
The Bosworth1485 Trail will create a new landscape of unique, world-class artworks that will be installed for the public to view at key locations close to the battlefield site near Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire, where King Richard III became the last English monarch to die in battle.
The works of art will be produced by artists from Broadbent Studio, who have previously designed and installed major public artworks throughout the UK. The sculptures are reflective of the locations that host them and the importance of their role in the story.
North West Leicestershire events
National Forest Walking Festival
The National Forest, Leicestershire
16-26 May
The National Forest Walking Festival will return in May, marking its 16th year of celebrating the beauty and accessibility of this unique and ever-growing landscape. The festival invites walkers of all ages and abilities to explore a transformed environment that perfectly blends nature, community and sustainability.
This year’s Walking Festival showcases the incredible diversity of the National Forest through a wide range of guided walks and outdoor experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or taking your first steps into nature, the festival has something for everyone.
Midland Red 100th Anniversary
Snibston Colliery Park, Coalville
7 September
Enjoy a family day out to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Midland Red bus garage in Coalville.
