Diwali and Christmas to be celebrated on the streets
PUBLIC EVENTS WILL USE BIG SCREENS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GATHERING IN ONE PLACE
and Christmas celebrations will be returning to the streets this year, Leicester City Council says.
The day the Diwali lights are turned on, Diwali Day itself and the switching on of Leicester’s Christmas lights will all be marked with on-street entertainment, although in a slightly different format to previous years.
Last year’s events were marked virtually, with online content.
This year, the council plans to close Belgrave Road to traffic for both switch-on day on Sunday, October 24 and Diwali Day on Thursday, November 4.
But in a change to previous years, the stage which is usually sited near to the Belgrave roundabout will be replaced with two giant screens in Belgrave Road.
They will show a pre-recorded cultural programme throughout the evening.
A third giant screen will be located in Cossington Street recreation ground, just off Belgrave Road,
This will enable visitors to view the entertainment in different locations and at different times, reducing the need for crowds to gather in one place at a fixed point in the evening.
The firework displays will be replaced this year with a fire garden on Cossington Street recreation ground, and a Global Rainbow that will beam light across the city.
The park will also host a Diwali vilDIWALI which will feature food stalls and funfair rides.
Deputy mayor for culture, Councillor Piara Singh-Clair, said:
“We have been determined to do all we can to bring the Diwali and Christmas celebrations back to the streets of Leicester, while making public safety our priority.
“The new format of the Diwali events means people can enjoy the sights and sounds of our
Diwali celebrations at any point during the evening, and won’t need to congregate in one space.
“Our plans for Christmas activities are being finalised, but we will be taking a similar approach.” Belgrave Road will close at 5pm on October 24. The cultural programme will be shown every hour from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
It will include a religious ceremony performed by the Hindu Feslage tival Council as well as entertainment from Nupur Arts and dance groups.
The lights will be turned on before the road closure to prevent crowds gathering.
Diwali Day festivities on Thursday, November 4 will also start with the road closure at 5pm, and the showing of the cultural programme from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
The Christmas light switch-on is set for Thursday, November 18.
The return of the ice rink to Jubilee Square has already been announced. It will be in place from Thursday, December 2 to Monday, January 3, with tickets going on sale in October.
The council’s annual bonfire and firework display in Abbey Park is also set to return this year. More details will be released soon.
Our plans for Christmas activities are being finalised
Coun Piara Singh Clair