AND NOW FOR SOMETHING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022 From bottle kicking to soap box derbies, Leicestershire has more than its
FROM specialist foodie festivals to preposterous annual tournaments, Leicester and Leicestershire are home to an array of unusual and fascinating, weird and wacky events, promising plenty of excitement and entertainment which can’t be found anywhere else!
If you are looking for something different, these are the events to visit this year:
ANNUAL BRICKISH WEEKEND National Space Centre, Leicester, March 12-13
A must for all Lego fans, the entire building will be dedicated to extraordinary brick creations, as well as shops, games and play areas.
HALLATON BOTTLE KICKING Easter Monday, April 18
Pagan tradition mixed with modernday Easter revelry is the rough and tumble spectacle of this age-old contest, in which villagers from Hallaton and Medbourne will compete to wrestle barrels, known as bottles, across one of two streams.
CHEESE FAIR Melton Livestock Market, April 30 to May 1
The largest event of its kind in the UK, with more than 70 artisan cheesemakers and around 300 cheeses to try and buy, there’s a cheese theatre programme, tutored tastings and workshops.
LOUGHBOROUGH 5k Loughborough Town Centre May 29
This is a 5k for everyone and is in aid of Cancer Research UK. The race starts in Queen’s Park in the town and gets under way at 10.30am. See the Cancer Research UK website for more details.
The town hosts a Race for Life later in the year.
LET’S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, April 29
The museum is the venue for the launch of an exciting showcase of performances, discussions and workshops that will run from April 29 to May 8.
This year’s theme is Responding to Space, Place, People and Time.
Leicester and Leicestershire are home to an array of unusual and fascinating, weird and wacky events
TOUR DE MOON Leicester, May 13-16
Rethink your relationship with the universe at Leicester’s newest festival, a series of events to stir the imagination and champion creativity.
BRING THE PAINT Leicester, May 23-29
The award-winning international street art festival returns, bringing together renowned artists from across the globe to transform the city centre with worldclass music and art. There will also be workshops, food and drink and a skate and BMX arena.
GLASTONBUDGET Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, June 2-4
This year, the tribute festival will host the Best of British Weekend, with the Bootleg Beatles and Mercury confirmed as headliners. Recreating the biggest hits from the biggest British bands, renowned tribute acts Antarctic Monkeys, Kazabian and Oasish have also joined the lineup.
DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Donington Park, June 10-12
Get ready to have your world rocked this summer. Rock royalty and heavy metal icons will unite for a weekend of unapologetic show and spectacle. Headliners Kiss, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro will be joined by big names including The Pretty Reckless, Korn, A Day To Remember, Code Orange and Mastodon.
THE HALAL FOOD FESTIVAL
Morningside Arena, Leicester,
June 26
Expect world cuisine, live cooking demos, street food stations, a mocktail lounge, special guest chefs and influencers, plus much more!
11th ANNUAL SOAP BOX DERBY Hinckley, June 26
A tremendous day out for the teams and spectators alike. Watch as entrants steam down the 200 metre Castle Street hill for a chance to become the ultimate driving champ.
TIMBER FESTIVAL Feanedock Covert, National Forest, July 1–3
A weekend of music and art that celebrates nature and re-examines our relationship with the natural world. Acts already announced include the Penguin Café Orchestra Haiku Salut and The Turbans, alongside Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who will read from his new book and also hit the decks for a throwback DJ set, while author Max Porter has a very special performance planned.
PIE FEST Melton Market, August 6-7
Another date for the diary! The national celebration of pies returns with a huge selection of sweet and savoury, hot and cold delights.
JOURNEYS FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL