Circus Cortex at Leicester 5-14 June 2026
Circus Cortex returns to Northfield Park with a vibrant mix of performing acts and interactive entertainment.
THECITYBRIEF
Leicester
What's On in Leicester – Events This Week & Things To Do
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Leicester hosts weekly events including markets, music nights, and seasonal celebrations across areas like Highcross, Mountsorrel, and Wolsey Island. At venues such as The Gateway and Leicester Square, families can enjoy activities during the Diwali Celebrations, transforming the Golden Mile into a vibrant display of lights and sound, and the annual Caribbean Carnival with its street performances and dance rhythms. Live music events happen at spaces like 2Funky Complex, Athena Events Venue, and the International Music Venue on Garden Street, where festivals such as Festival2Funky 2026 are held annually
A peek inside recent issues
Events in Leicester This Weekend
Marnie's Girl
Marnie’s Girl performs live at The Soundhouse in Leicester.
Last Resort
Last Resort performs live at O2 Academy Leicester, offering an evening of live music.
John Kearns
Comedian John Kearns performs his latest show at The Y Theatre in Leicester.
Jean-michel Jarre's Oxygene Mark Jenkins
Jean-Michel Jarre performs his acclaimed album 'OXYGENE' live in concert at The International.
Secret Basement Rave
An underground rave event takes place in a hidden basement venue in Leicester city centre.
Events in Leicester This Week
Rum & Reggae 2026
Rum & Reggae 2026 is a music festival at Elvaston Castle Country Park, Derby, celebrating reggae and rum.
Drag Bingo
A drag-themed Bingo night with two cash prize games and a meal, hosted by Miss Fanny Burns.
Sonder: Group Art Exhibition
Sonder hosts a group art exhibition showcasing works by emerging De Montfort University students.
Nevil Holt Festival
Nevil Holt Festival offers a diverse program of music, theatre, and literature throughout late May and June.
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny
Comedian Jimmy Carr performs his 'Laughs Funny' stand-up routine at De Montfort Hall.
Public - The Musical
The musical 'Public' premieres at Leicester's Curve theatre, exploring modern British identity.
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Upcoming Events by Category
Culture & Arts
Bardi Wind Orchestra - a Concert For Loros
The Bardi Wind Orchestra performs a concert dedicated to loros at De Montfort Hall.
Mike Brown And Jonny May: Tries And Tribulations
Rugby stars Mike Brown and Jonny May share anecdotes and stories from their careers.
Leicester Employment Hub Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony 2026
Leicester Employment Hub hosts a ceremony celebrating the graduation of apprentices in 2026.
Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of The Moon
The National Space Centre presents Pink Floyd's iconic album with immersive visuals in a fulldome experience.
Rhythms of Broadway - Afternoon Show
Dance students from LMG Dance Academy perform 'Rhythms of Broadway' at Countesthorpe Academy.
Family & Kids
Family Nappy Night (Sunday 14th June)
Family Nappy Night offers a fun afternoon for families at The Emporium on June 14th.
Awards Evening - Chief Scout Gold
A ceremony to honor recipients of the Chief Scout Gold award.
Fitness & Outdoors
First Response - Over 2 Nights
Scouting event spanning two nights at a local venue.
First Response Course Face to Face
A hands-on First Response Course hosted by Leicestershire Scouts.
First Response Course - Face to Face
Scouts offer a face-to-face first response course for youth members.
Food & Drink
Ivy's Saturday Brunch Club - 20th June
Ivy Lounge hosts a Saturday brunch club featuring 90s R&B and singalongs.
The Windrush Boat Cruise 2026
Princess River Cruises hosts the Windrush Boat Cruise, sailing for three hours on June 22nd, 2026.
Nightlife & Music
Songs For Jamie Concert With Chris Conway + Pete Kenny
Chris Conway and Pete Kenny perform a concert to benefit Songs for Jamie at The International.
Party With The Kings King Brasstards
The Kings Brassstards will perform a live music set at The Black Horse in Leicester.
Embrace
Britpop band Embrace performs live at the O2 Academy Leicester.
Leicester Tigers vs London Irish - Premiership Rugby
Leicester Tigers host London Irish in a Premiership Rugby match at their home ground.
District Lead Volunteer Team Meeting
A volunteer team meeting for district leaders hosted by Leicestershire Scouts.
Shopping & Markets
The Leicester Peace & Love Festival And Africa Fest
The Leicester Peace & Love Festival and Africa Fest celebrate diversity and unity with a free, open-air celebration.
Featured Places in Leicester
Cinema And Art Centre
PhoenixPhoenix Leicester is an independent cinema and art centre in the Cultural Quarter of Leicester, housed in a modernist building originally opened in 1970.
View Info →Food & Drink
Al BelaAl Bela is a food and drink venue on High Street in Leicester.
View Info →Pub
Badger's SettThe Badger's Sett is a country pub on Reservoir Road in Cropston, just outside Leicester city centre.
View Info →Historic Site
Bell FoundryJohn Taylor's Bell Foundry is a Grade II listed former iron foundry established in 1890, set within Victorian industrial architecture on Swan Street in Loughborough.
View Info →Live Music Venue
Bistro LiveYou can find Bistro Live at 6a Leicester Square in Leicester.
View Info →Leicester Places And Events Guides
Things to do in Leicester
Leicester offers a mix of cultural gatherings, live music, and community events across neighbourhoods including Highcross and Mountsorrel. You can find seasonal activities ranging from exploring historic sites like Leicester Cathedral to attending family-friendly events at venues such as The Gateway and Leicester Square. Events cover various interests, from food festivals and markets to theatre performances, music nights, shopping days, and celebrations like Diwali.
In central areas around Highcross and near De Montfort Campus, visitors can attend the Riverside Festival for summer activities along riverside walkways. During Diwali, the Golden Mile becomes a cultural highlight with light displays and music. Spaces such as 2Funky Complex host regular events including live music and art-based gatherings in established city centre venues. Local guides help plan trips around recurring events like football matches at the stadium or weekly markets held on weekdays.
This site lists what’s happening this week and details of upcoming events this weekend, helping you choose from categories such as Food & Drink, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Shopping & Markets, Family & Kids. You can use the event filter system to find local activities tailored to age group or interest type, including venues like The Gateway or Highcross Leicester.
Common Leicester Questions
What kinds of events happen in Leicester during the week?
Leicester hosts a diverse range of weekly events across categories such as Culture & Arts, Food & Drink, Shopping & Markets, and Fitness & Outdoors. Common types include theatre performances at De Montfort Hall, food festivals linked to Highcross, exhibitions at historic sites like Leicester Cathedral, and community workshops in areas like Mountsorrel. The City Brief lists these weekly activities across neighbourhoods including Blackfriars and Harrowbrook, offering a consistent guide for local happenings.
Where do most events take place in Leicester?
Most events occur in central city locations such as Highcross, the Golden Mile, and Leicester Square, key commercial and tourist hubs. The Gateway event space hosts festivals near riverside venues like those at Castle Complex or Wolsey Island green spaces. Central landmarks including De Montfort Hall and City Rooms also regularly host cultural gatherings, while residential areas like Mountsorrel and Harrowbrook offer community-focused events in public buildings.
Are there family-friendly things to do in Leicester?
Yes, several attractions cater specifically to families. Events take place at parks such as Wolsey Island, where seasonal activities are common; museums including the Abbey of St Mary de Pratis ruins and De Montfort Hall often host interactive workshops for children. Markets like Buttercross Market offer family-focused stalls with live music and craft sessions. The Riverside Festival is another recurring event suitable for all ages.
What nightlife and music events happen in Leicester?
Leicester’s Nightlife & Music scene thrives across dedicated venues such as 2Funky Complex, Athena Events Venue, and the International Music Venue on Garden Street, each hosting regular live concerts, themed parties, and festivals. The Arch of Remembrance also features seasonal event programming with large-scale musical gatherings during events like Festival2Funky.
How can I find events happening this week or this weekend in Leicester?
You can locate current happenings through the site’s dedicated ‘this week’ and ‘this weekend’ listings, which are filtered by category, such as Nightlife & Music, Family & Kids, Culture & Arts, and venue type. These guides allow quick access to all upcoming activities across neighbourhoods like Highcross or Blackfriars.