Christmas Wheel of Light

Benefit from a bird’s eye view of Leicester’s Christmas lights from the 110-ft/35m high Ferris wheel.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth on site. A ride is approximately 8 to 10 minutes.  There are 24 covered gondolas, each seating 6 people. Wheelchair access is available to one of the gondolas – assistance will be provided for anyone using this gondola.

Prices:

Standard £7
Small child (under 1.4m) £5
Family (2 adults + 2 Children or 1 adult + 3 children) £20

Times:

Monday-Friday: 12pm – 9pm
Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 12pm – 10pm

Billy Bates Fun Fair

From 10am to 7pm

Experience all the fun of the fair in the heart of the city this Christmas!  Bright lights and thrilling rides all add to the festive fun.

Christmas Market

New for 2024!

From 10am to 7pm

Prepare to experience Leicester’s inaugural Christmas Market, set in the vibrant heart of the Town Centre. Discover charming wooden chalets that transform the area into a festive retail delight, brimming with unique gift ideas and holiday cheer.

Stretching from High Street to Gallowtree Gate, the market will showcase an array of beautifully crafted items. Discover exquisite handmade gifts, delightful chocolate treats, indulgent fudge sweets, cozy hats and scarves, and artisanal leather crafts, among many other festive treasures.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit and find something special for everyone on your list.

More details to be announced soon!

Christmas Lights Switch-On

Free

From 5pm to 8pm

The most wonderful time of the year kicks off on Wednesday 20th November with Leicester’s Christmas Lights Switch-On.

The Town Hall and the city’s streets will be illuminated with over 16,000 sparkling LED lights, and a spectacular 47 foot tree decorated with twinkling lights will take centre stage at the Clock Tower.

There will be plenty to enjoy for all ages with traditional entertainment in Town Hall Square. Live brass bands will be playing your favourite festive tunes, the nativity scene will be on show!

Costumed characters join us for some fun photo opportunities, Billy Bates Funfair will be on Humberstone Gate and Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Leicester’s Christmas lights from the 35m high Ferris wheel of light in Jubilee Square.

Discover all the lights in the city and follow the Lights Switch-On trail, starting at 6pm on the Haymarket balcony with live festive DJ sets and special guest appearances from the Haymarket Balcony with the 6.30pm countdown to the illumination of the lights.

The Haymarket Shopping Centre, The Highcross and St Martin’s will be hosting their own events to mark the switch on that same evening. The Nutcracker Brass Band will lead you from one location to the next! So don’t miss the Lights Switch-On trail as Leicester lights up!

At 6.45pm follow the drummers to Highcross to see their festive lights.

At 7.30pm the drummers move to St Martin’s for their Lights Switch-On.

Haymarket Shopping Centre
4.30pm – 6.45pm

Haymarket will sparkle brightly this festive season with new Christmas lights on the Mall and a hint of nostalgia too – look out for the return of an old favourite!  There will be two hours of activity. Santa will appear, enjoying the musical entertainment and a pair of stunning LED Stilt-walking angels will light up the occassion. The event starts at 4.30pm with entertainment and music from Eva FM until 6.30pm and the big countdown to the Haymarket switch on outside at 6.30pm and inside Haymarket at 6.45pm.

Highcross Shopping Centre
Christmas Lights Switch-on experience is to be confirmed at 7pm.

St Martin’s Square

Follow the illuminated drummers to St Martin’s who will switch their lights on at 7.30pm

Christmas Lights Switch On at Haymarket

Free

4.30pm – 6.45pm

Haymarket will sparkle brightly this festive season with new Christmas lights on the Mall and a hint of nostalgia too – look out for the return of an old favourite!  There will be two hours of activity. Santa will appear, enjoying the musical entertainment and a pair of stunning LED Stilt-walking angels will light up the occassion.

• Leicester Central Pathfinders Drum Core
• Christmas Singers and Pasic Musical Village Choir
• Leicester Vocal Tech
• Akshara Dance Group and Sensational Vibes Dance
• Reggae Singer Tanni Browne

The event starts at 4.30pm with entertainment and music from Eva FM until 6.30pm and the big countdown to the Haymarket switch on outside at 6.30pm and inside Haymarket at 6.45pm with Divina De Campo and Jack Ballard from the De Montfort Hall panto.

Hosted by:

Snow in Leicester!

Free

From 3pm till 6pm

Wednesday 20 November
Saturday 24 November
Sunday 25 November
Saturday 30 November

Step into the wonder of a snowy winter’s evening this festive season at St Peter’s Square!

Whether you’re with family, friends, or simply grabbing a hot chocolate and taking a peaceful stroll, immerse yourself in the magic as snow will transform the square into a winter wonderland.

Snowfall is guaranteed in Leicester on 20th, 23rd, 24th, and 30th November at 3pm and 6pm, creating the perfect backdrop for unforgettable festive moments. Watch on as the snowflakes dance in the air and feel the festive spirit come alive around you.

There’s no need to book—just come along and let the snow set the scene for a truly magical experience. Keep an eye out for more dates in December!

Town Hall Square Illuminations

Free

Illuminations From Dusk

Town Hall Square will be different in 2024 and lit up as you’ve never seen it before.

A flurry of Christmas trees and the traditional nativity scene will be installed for lights switch-on on 20th November. Plus, new for 2024 will be a new Christmas lighting installation to animate the square.

More information coming soon!

Traditional Nativity Scene

Free

Enjoy the tradition of Christmas at the delightful Nativity scene in Town Hall Square. In the stable you will find Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger, who are joined by all the traditional characters. The scene is brought to life with lights and music and a recording of local school children telling the nativity story.

Enlightened Leicester at Christmas

Brand new trail for 2024!

Abbey Park will become an enchanting outdoor light trail as its transformed into an illuminated world. With bright installations and interactive elements, Enlightened Leicester will be a magical experience for the whole family.

Abbey Park Leicester

5pm to 8.30pm daily

Ice Skate Leicester

Get your skates on for a Christmas on real ice

Ice rink opens at 9.30am and first session is 10am. Last session starts at 9pm.

Jubilee Square’s real ice rink is back! With its covered rink, skaters can show off their best moves, come rain or shine, making it the coolest place to be this season.

With super off-peak pricing there will be opportunities to skate for just £7 per person at selected dates and times.

There is a whole month of skating on 720 sqm of real ice to perfect your moves! And this year experience 20,000 twinkling lights under the ice.

Why not book now to make your Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day extra special too.

For all the details and to book your tickets visit Ice Skate Leicester

Visit the ticket prices and times page for more details and you can buy a season ticket to skate every day for a month!

With so much to get you in the Christmas Spirit, wrap up warm and celebrate in Christmas in Leicester.