What’s On

Santa’s Saturday at Haymarket

Free

The Haymarket will be hosting their annual Santa Saturday on Saturday 7 December.

Families can meet Santa for free and pass on present requests. The entertainment will include Santa’s Sleigh pulled by a pair of cheeky elves. The Wish Fairies will appear and there will be seasonal live music from fabulous vintage singer Jayne Darling.

Times From 12pm

Entry/ticket costs free

Other Haymarket events during the festive period include:

• Throughout November and December there will be extending trading hours – check the website for more details.

Santa’s Grotto at Highcross

Free

Come to Highcross this year to meet Santa at his grotto

Santa will be there on the following days:

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

Whilst at Highcross look out for the surprise and delight elves who will be treating customers with some festive surprises!

Highcross late night opening – 14^th December (9am-8pm) 21^st December (9am-8pm)

Free parking after 5pm on Wednesdays in December

Abbey Pumping Station Christmas Steam Day

Enjoy the return of this popular festive event, with one of the Beam Engines in Steam while the band plays Christmas carols. Lots of traditional Christmas toys on show from railways to model steam engines.

Plus vintage vehicles will be on display and the Steam Railway will be running for just 50p per ride on the day (purchase a ticket in the museum or pay by cash at the station platform).

Light refreshments will be available in the Cafe.

Book tickets online or pay with cash at the entrance gate.

Adult: £6.00 (online) | £7.00 (on the door)

Concession (Over 60, Student): £5.00 (online) | £6.00 (on the door)

Child: £5.00 (online) | £6.00 (on the door)

Family (2 adults and 2 children): £15.00 (online) | £18.00 (on the door)

Elves are coming to Highcross!

Free

The holiday elves are running riot at Highcross this Christmas.

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

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

Guildhall Christmas Craft Fair

Enjoy a unique Christmas shopping experience in the beautiful medieval Guildhall; with a real fire, Christmas tree in the historic courtyard and Quirky events. There will also be a taste of Christmas with mince Pies, mulled wine & cider!

There will be lots of exciting and original stalls selling handmade arts and crafts from local artists and makers. It’s a brilliant chance to buy a special gift for your family & friends.

Adults £1/Children free

11am-4.30pm

Christmas Cinema at Phoenix

Phoenix is full of festive film fabulousness this December. Starting from the 30 November they’ll be bringing you the spirit of Christmas, with Classic Christmas Crackers like It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas and Die Hard. You’ll also be able to enjoy Family Favourites like Elf, The Polar Express and of course the Muppet Christmas Carol.

They also have some special Family Pyjama Party screenings of Home Alone, Elf and a double bill of The Snowman and The Snowman and the Snowdog on Christmas eve. Tickets include a hot chocolate and Christmas snack.

This is in addition to all the latest blockbusters like Paddington in Peru, Gladiator II and Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Check it all out on their website

GreenMatthews: Midwinter Revels

Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festive show.

Spanning several centuries, GreenMatthews’ Midwinter Revels is a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with GreenMatthews’ trademark wit and humour.

“You guys are awesome!” Bill Barclay, Director of Music at Shakespeare’s Globe

Tickets:
Standard £15
Under 25s £13

Christmas Wreath Making

Make your own fabulous Christmas wreath in the magical surroundings of Leicester Guildhall.

You will learn how to make a traditional fresh wreath using local foliage including ever greens such as firs, ivy, holly and eucalyptus all enhanced with dried seed heads, fruits and cones finished off with a beautiful hessian or raffia bow.

First session: 11am – 1pm
Second session: 2pm – 4pm

All materials are included, and no experience necessary.

Please bring your own gloves and snippers. In previous years some people have brought personalised objects like bells, small wooden initials and tree decorations for the centre of the wreath. Please feel free to follow this tradition!

Cost £35

Festive Wreath Making

Pam from Cherry Bank Studio will demonstrate how to create a fresh wreath using local foliage including ever greens such as firs, ivy, holly and eucalyptus all enhanced with dried seed heads, fruits and cones finished off with a beautiful hessian or raffia bow.

No previous experience is necessary, but we do ask you bring your own gloves and snippers please. In previous years some people have brought personalised objects like bells, small wooden initials and tree decorations for the centre of the wreath. Please feel free to follow this tradition!

Cost £35

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