COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...
Share of offbeat events and festivals. Becky Jones looks at what’s in store
Leicester, August 12-15
Celebrating the creative talent of exceptional refugee and asylum seeker artists, this festival will offer a powerful mix of visual and digital art exhibitions, virtual reality installations, performances, food gatherings, films and animations created by artists (and chefs) from around the globe.
THE WORLD REIMAGINED Leicester, August 13 to October 16
Leicester has been announced as one of seven UK cities that will host this national art education project that aims to transform understanding of the Transatlantic slave trade with a trail of 10 stunning globe sculptures throughout the city centre.
VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE All Saints Church, Highcross Street, Leicester, until August 22
Explore the world-renowned works of Vincent Van Gogh like never before. Step in to the spectacular universe of one of the greatest figures in art history and delve into the painter’s extraordinary life.
LEICESTERSHIRE FIREWORKS CHAMPIONSHIPS Belvoir Castle, August 20
Now in its 14th year, the UK’s best firework companies compete against each other in a choreographed display, followed by a spectacular finale.
THE VICTORY SHOW Foxlands Farm, Cosby, September 2-4
The largest Second World War reenactment of its kind in the UK, the three-day event gives an insight into the war years and allows visitors to get up close to the static aircraft, tanks and military vehicles.
HINCKLEY BID’S 11th ANNUAL MOTOR SHOW Hinckley town centre, September 18
Hundreds of vehicle owners from all over the Midlands and beyond filled the town centre and Argents Mead on a Sunday last year to show off their beautiful and carefully restored machines to a crowd of several thousand people. There will be entertainment for the children, ice cream and face painting, making it a fantastic day out for all the family.
Many of the town’s cafes, bars and shops will be open too. If you attend one motor show this year, make sure it’s this one. It’s free to exhibit for classic vehicles and vehicles of special interest and free to attend as a spectator.
FOOD FESTIVAL Melton Livestock Market, October 1-2
A huge foodie festival, featuring about 200 stalls selling the finest cheese, pies, charcuterie and chocolate.
RACE FOR LIFE 5k
Queens Park, Loughborough, Sunday, October 3
This colourful event attracts thousands of participants in aid of Cancer Research UK.
CHOCFEST Melton Market, November 19-20
Enjoy all things chocolate – pizza, puddings, liqueurs, beer, even chocolate kebabs – from some of the UK’s best chocolatiers. There will also be talks, tastings and chocolate-making workshops.
■ For more information on sights to see, things to do and places to stay in Leicester and Leicestershire, visit: