What’s On

Elves are coming to Highcross!

Free

The holiday elves are running riot at Highcross this Christmas.

Across the centre, on select days throughout December, there are prizes in store, as Santa’s elves will also be surprising and delighting lucky shoppers by purchasing their chosen goods for them – from a cup of coffee or a festive sandwich, to Christmas socks and seasonal goodies.

Come and enjoy some mischief and mayhem and you might just get lucky with some festive surprises…

• Saturday 7 December 12pm till 6pm and Sunday 8 December 11am till 5pm
• Saturday 14 December 12pm till 6pm and Sunday 15 December 11am till 5pm
• Saturday 21 December 12pm till 6pm and Sunday 22 December 11am till 5pm
• Monday 23 December 12pm till 6pm

Keep an eye on Instagram for more details on where they will be.

Christmas Stamp Trail

Also families are invited to take part in the Christmas Stamp Trail, where shoppers can pick up a festive map from the customer service desk, located on the lower mall, and collect stamps from designated locations around the centre to win prizes from retailers like Damaged Society and Auntie Anne’s.

Visit Santa’s Inclusive Grotto

Free

A magical Christmas experience, specially designed for children with special needs and their families. The Grotto creates a calm, understanding, and fully accessible environment where every child can experience the wonder of meeting Santa at their own pace.

What Makes Our Grotto Special

Unhurried, private time with Santa
No queuing system – scheduled visits to avoid waiting
Fully trained and understanding Santa who adapts to each child’s needs
Siblings are warmly welcome to join the experience

Sensory-Friendly Environment

Customizable lighting levels for each visit
Adjustable sound settings
Peaceful Northern Lights display with gentle snowfall effect
Quiet spaces available if needed
Reduced sensory stimulation options available

Accessibility & Comfort

Full wheelchair access with ramps
Accessible parking nearby
Wide doorways and clear pathways
Changing facilities available
Comfortable seating areas for families

The Magic

A special gift chosen by Santa for each child
Freedom to take as many photos as you wish
Create precious memories in a stress-free environment
Festive but calm atmosphere

This is a completely free experience
Advanced booking required to ensure we can prepare for your child’s specific needs
Private sessions available for those who need them
Support workers/carers welcome

The Grotto is 100% free and is funded by The Mckeefery Family and our amazing volunteers and sponsors. Only book if your child has a disability.

Merry & Bright – Christmas with Kingfisher Chorale

Join Kingfisher Chorale for their traditional concerts of Christmas music and readings in the lovely surroundings of Leicester’s Guildhall.

Directed by Giles Turner, Kingfisher Chorale receives critical acclaim for its performances which are always in high demand.  With insightful programming, the choir has a reputation for providing enlightening, stimulating and inspiring concerts. The Guildhall concerts are always a highlight, with a mix of traditional and new pieces to bring alive the feeling of Christmas.

You can hear some of their favourites via our website: https://www.kingfisherchorale.org/

Tickets:
£13 standard/£11 concession
Includes a mulled wine

LOROS Hospice Christmas Carol Concert

Join Loros as the Cathedral celebrates the magic of the season with 80 talented singers from four choirs conducted by Simon Lubkowski. Including the Knighton Community Choir, Lux Acapella, Ratcliffe Chorale and The Pantones (Leicester LGBT Centre Choir). Doors at 7pm, concert begins 7.15pm. Tickets from £15-£20

Festive Jams – The Fourmasons

Free

Get ready to fill your festive season with music, as BID Leicester presents Festive Jams; a series of free, pop-up musical performances to bring a vibrant mix of live music to city streets with performances on Fridays and Saturdays right through to Christmas!

The Fourmasons bring their jazzy seasonal favourites to St Martin’s Square on Friday 20th December from 7pm.

Festive Jams – Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy

Free

Get ready to fill your festive season with music, as BID Leicester presents Festive Jams; a series of free, pop-up musical performances to bring a vibrant mix of live music to city streets with performances on Fridays and Saturdays right through to Christmas!

Leicester Cathedral will be filled with the glory of gospel from Emmanu’-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy on Saturday 21st December at 3pm.

Festive Jams – King Brasstards

Free

Get ready to fill your festive season with music, as BID Leicester presents Festive Jams; a series of free, pop-up musical performances to bring a vibrant mix of live music to city streets with performances on Fridays and Saturdays right through to Christmas!

The final festive jam of the Christmas season comes from big band faves King Brasstards as they bring their upbeat sound to Highcross on Saturday 21st December from 4pm.

A Christmas Carol with Gerald Dickens

Enter the world of Charles Dickens in this ghostly tale for the festive season. Performing 26 different characters Gerald Dickens brings his great, great Grandfather’s most famous book to vivid and exciting life. In an extraordinary theatrical tour de force Gerald has made audiences all over the world laugh, cry, cheer & stamp as they become completely involved in the much loved tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Enjoy this Christmas tale in the beautiful atmospheric surrounding of the medieval Guildhall, with a real fire, mulled wine and mince pies for sale, the perfect way to get in the festive spirit!

By popular demand there are two performances at 1pm and 7pm. This is truly a not to be missed performance and the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit. Book now!

Tickets: £15 each

The Cathedral Carol Service

Free

A traditional service of readings and carols with music by the Cathedral Choir. Free and open to all

Sunday service beginning at 4.30pm and led by the Bishop of Loughborough

Monday service beginning at at 6pm and led by the Bishop of Leicester

Leicester Cathedral Crib Service

Free

A family friendly service telling the Christmas story with carols and music by the Cathedral Choir. Come and help build the Cathedral Crib as we enter the mystery and joy of Christmas together. At 3pm