We confirmed 17 Christmas events for kids in Leicester for 2026, from 6 November to 21 February. 2 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 17 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Leicester, Mountsorrel, Coalville, Enderby, Hinckley and more
- First: Lanterns of the Wild, Twycross, 6 November
- Free events: Christmas Fayre & Christmas Lights Switch on and Enderby Christmas Lights Event
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Leicester Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 17 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Leicester, Mountsorrel, Coalville, Enderby, Hinckley, Newtown Linford, Oadby, South Wigston, Twycross and Wigston
- Season
- 6 November to 21 February
- Free events
- 2
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Leicester
7 confirmed events in Leicester, soonest first.
Leicester's Christmas Lights Switch On
Christmas lights switch-onVisit Leicester (Leicester City Council) · Leicester
- Host
- Visit Leicester (Leicester City Council) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Leicester city centre, Leicester LE1
- When
- Wednesday 18 November
- Price
- Not listed
- Ages
- All the family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Leicester's Christmas lights switch on is set for Wednesday 18 November and marks the start of Christmas in Leicester. Visit Leicester describes the city's festive season as full of magical moments, from a ride on the 35m high Wheel of Light to browsing the Christmas Market, family trips to the panto and the Christmas lights themselves.
The full programme for the evening and the city's Christmas guide are still to be published, so times, performers and any appearances by Santa are not confirmed yet. It is worth keeping an eye on the Visit Leicester Christmas page, which also runs a free Christmas in Leicester competition with prizes from across the city. Leicester city centre is easy to reach by bus and Park and Ride.
Parent tip: Times and line up are not announced yet; check the Visit Leicester Christmas page before setting off.
See dates and details from Visit Leicester (Leicester City Council) (opens in a new tab)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Panto or Christmas showCurve · Leicester
- Host
- Curve (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB
- When
- 21 November to 16 January, matinees and evenings
- Price
- Ticket prices on Curve's booking page; group and school discounts
- Ages
- Ages 8+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Leicester's Curve has the Golden Ticket this Christmas with a brand new Made at Curve production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The magical story of Charlie, Willy Wonka and his extraordinary factory runs from 21 November to 16 January.
The show lasts about two and a half hours including a 20 minute interval, and Curve's age guidance is 8 and over, so it is best for older children. There are evening performances at 7.15pm and 2pm matinees on selected days, plus a British Sign Language interpreted performance on Friday 4 December at 7.15pm. Discounts are available for groups and school groups, and 16 to 26 year olds can save with a free loyalty pass.
Parent tip: Better for ages 8 and up given the running time; pick a 2pm matinee for a less late night.
See dates and details from Curve (opens in a new tab)Santa's Spaceport Experience
Meet SantaNational Space Centre · Leicester
- Host
- National Space Centre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS
- When
- Weekends 28 and 29 November, then 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20 December
- Price
- Add on to entry: £20 per child aged 2+ (with gift), £11.50 under 2s, £7.50 adults
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
At the National Space Centre, families join Mrs Claus and the NOEL Elves on a space mission to help save Christmas in the Tetrastar Spaceport. If the mission succeeds, children meet the real Santa, share their wishes, have a festive photo taken and receive a NOEL token to choose a present in the elves' workshop. Allow at least 30 minutes for the experience.
Sessions take up to 12 people, so smaller groups usually share with another family. Santa tickets are an add on to a standard entry or Annual Pass booking, found on the extras page: £20 per child aged 2 and over, £11.50 for under 2s and £7.50 per adult. Gifts are chosen from the centre's shop and suit all ages. Festive hot chocolate and a cookie can be added for £6.75.
Parent tip: Santa tickets do not include museum entry, so add them when you book your day ticket.
See dates and details from National Space Centre (opens in a new tab)Abbey Pumping Station Christmas Steam Day
Family Christmas eventLeicester Museums & Galleries · Leicester
- Host
- Leicester Museums & Galleries (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Abbey Pumping Station Museum, Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5PX
- When
- Sunday 29 November, 11.30am to 4pm
- Price
- Entry price not listed; Christmas railway £1 per ride
- Ages
- All the family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Abbey Pumping Station holds its 2026 Christmas Steam Day on Sunday 29 November. The highlight is the Gimson beam engine, built in 1891 and restored to working order, running in full steam. Around it there are vintage vehicles and toys from Christmases past, a festive brass band, crafts and more.
The Leicester Museums collection of historic fire engines is on display in the grounds, alongside old Leicester buses, a beer lorry and a bread van, and there are chips from a working coal fired fish and chip van. Children can also ride the museum's little Christmas railway for £1 a go. It is a relaxed, nostalgic day out that suits families with children who love machines and vehicles. The event runs from 11.30am to 4pm.
Parent tip: Bring coins for the £1 railway rides and the fish and chip van.
See dates and details from Leicester Museums & Galleries (opens in a new tab)Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas
Panto or Christmas showCurve · Leicester
- Host
- Curve (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Curve, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB
- When
- 30 November to 3 January, usually 10.30am and 1.30pm
- Price
- Ticket prices on Curve's booking page; £2 off for groups of 10+
- Ages
- Ages 3+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Curve's Christmas show for younger audiences is based on Kes Gray's much loved Daisy story of the same name. Daisy loves Christmas, and this year she is in the school play with seven whole words to learn. But when she and her best friend Gabby decide the Baby Jesus doll is not quite right, their plan can only lead to trouble.
It is a Made at Curve production lasting one hour with no interval, with age guidance of 3 and over, so it suits a first theatre trip or an outing with grandparents. Performances run from 30 November to 3 January, mostly at 10.30am and 1.30pm, with extra 4pm shows on some weekends. Curve offers a free colouring sheet to download, and infant tickets are limited, so contact the box office to book one.
Parent tip: For babies, call the box office as infant tickets are limited.
See dates and details from Curve (opens in a new tab)Beauty and the Beast
Panto or Christmas showDe Montfort Hall · Leicester
- Host
- De Montfort Hall (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU
- When
- 12 December to 3 January, two shows most days
- Price
- Children from £18, adults from £19.50 (higher on peak dates)
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
De Montfort Hall and Imagine Theatre present Beauty and the Beast as this year's family pantomime, running from 12 December to 3 January. Jenny Ryan from ITV's The Chase leads the cast as the Enchantress, and comedian Jarred Christmas returns. The fairytale follows a prince cursed to live as a beast and Belle, the village girl who learns to see beyond appearances, with jokes, catchy songs and plenty of panto fun.
There are two shows on most days, at 11am and 3pm or 1pm and 5pm. Children's tickets start at £18 and adults at £19.50 on quieter dates, with higher prices around the weekend before Christmas. On Wednesday 30 December the 11am show is a relaxed performance and the 3pm show is British Sign Language interpreted.
Parent tip: The relaxed performance on 30 December at 11am is ideal for children who find big theatres overwhelming.
See dates and details from De Montfort Hall (opens in a new tab)Aladdin
Panto or Christmas showThe Grand Hotel Leicester · Leicester
- Host
- The Grand Hotel Leicester (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Grand Hotel Leicester, 73 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6ES
- When
- Tuesday 29 December
- Price
- From £26 per person; family ticket £80
- Ages
- Aimed at ages 3 to 12
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Grand Hotel Leicester is presenting a Christmas pantomime of Aladdin on 29 December, produced by Chaplins Pantomimes. It features comedy, colourful costumes, magical moments and plenty of audience participation, and the hotel says it is aimed particularly at children aged 3 to 12.
Tickets start at £26 per person, and there is a family ticket for £80. Being in the hotel rather than a large theatre, it is a smaller scale panto, which can suit younger children who find big venues a bit much. As it falls in the quiet days between Christmas and New Year, it is a handy treat for the school holidays. Check the hotel's Christmas events page for the performance time and booking.
Parent tip: The family ticket at £80 is the best value for four; check the hotel site for the start time.
See dates and details from The Grand Hotel Leicester (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Mountsorrel
2 confirmed events in Mountsorrel, soonest first.
Father Christmas Needs A Wee (Mountsorrel)
Meet SantaMountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) · Mountsorrel
- Host
- Mountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, 105 Leicester Road, Mountsorrel LE12 7AJ
- When
- Saturday 28 November, 11am and 2pm
- Price
- £16
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
TaleGate Theatre Productions bring their musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan's much loved story Father Christmas Needs a Wee to Mountsorrel Memorial Centre. Father Christmas is on his rounds, eating and drinking the treats left at every house, until at number ten he realises he really, really needs a wee.
The production lasts 50 minutes and mixes witty humour with catchy music, and it is followed by a meet and greet with Santa and Elfie, plus a free gift for every child. There are two performances on Saturday 28 November, at 11am and 2pm, and tickets are £16. With a familiar story, a short running time and Santa at the end, it is a lovely choice for preschool and infant school children.
Parent tip: Stay afterwards for the Santa meet and greet and gift.
See dates and details from Mountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) (opens in a new tab)Christmas Fayre & Christmas Lights Switch on (Mountsorrel)
Christmas lights switch-onFreeMountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) · Mountsorrel
- Host
- Mountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, 105 Leicester Road, Mountsorrel LE12 7AJ
- When
- Sunday 29 November, 1pm to 7pm (lights on at 5pm)
- Price
- Free; register for free tickets
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre holds its annual Christmas Lights Switch On with a Christmas fayre on Sunday 29 November. From 1pm there is festive food, gifts and local makers to browse, with entertainment and a seasonal atmosphere through the afternoon.
The countdown to the lights switch on comes at 5pm, followed by a fireworks display, and the event finishes at 7pm. Entry is completely free, but the venue asks visitors to register for free tickets in advance. The early switch on time means younger children can enjoy the lights and fireworks without a late night. It pairs nicely with the venue's Father Christmas Needs A Wee show the day before, if you want to make a festive weekend of it in Mountsorrel.
Parent tip: Register for the free tickets in advance; ear defenders may help little ones during the fireworks.
See dates and details from Mountsorrel Memorial Centre (MMC Venue) (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Coalville
1 confirmed event in Coalville, soonest first.
Playful Elves Workshop (Coalville)
Christmas craftsThe 1620s House and Garden · Coalville
- Host
- The 1620s House and Garden (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The 1620s House and Garden, Manor Road, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW
- When
- Saturday 28 November, 11am
- Price
- £15 per child; booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 3 to 9
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Some excited elves have fallen behind with their work and need help to get back on track. At the 1620s House and Garden near Coalville, children search the historic house for the materials needed to make magical festive gifts, joining in with the elves' games and activities as they go.
They then head to the barn to finish a range of Christmas crafts, and the elves tell a Christmas story before everyone takes part in a magical snowball fight. The session is for children aged 3 to 9 and costs £15 per child, with pre-booking essential. It takes place on Saturday 28 November at 11am, so it is a good one to book early.
Parent tip: Pre booking is essential and places are per child; dress for a mix of indoor and barn activities.
See dates and details from The 1620s House and Garden (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Enderby
1 confirmed event in Enderby, soonest first.
Enderby Christmas Lights Event
Meet SantaFreeEnderby Parish Council · Enderby
- Host
- Enderby Parish Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Enderby Civic Centre & Community Library, King Street, Enderby LE19 4NT
- When
- Friday 4 December, 4pm to 7pm (lights on at 6pm)
- Price
- Free; Santa visits free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Enderby Parish Council's Christmas Lights evening takes place on Friday 4 December from 4pm to 7pm. Children can visit Santa for free and each child receives a small gift. Billy Bates and Sons funfair brings fairground rides for children to Mill Lane and Townsend Road, and market stalls selling gifts fill the King Street car park, the Civic Centre, Townsend Road and the Nags Head car park.
The Enderby Band and The Musical Village Choir perform, and everyone gets a free hot drink and a mince pie. Enderby Community Library opens for the evening with a tombola, and there is a raffle with prizes from local businesses. The Christmas tree lights are switched on at 6pm, and the event finishes at 7pm.
Parent tip: Head to Santa early before queues build towards the 6pm switch on; the community library is open during the event too.
See dates and details from Enderby Parish Council (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Hinckley
1 confirmed event in Hinckley, soonest first.
Lights in the Mead (Hinckley)
Christmas lightsHinckley & Bosworth Borough Council · Hinckley
- Host
- Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Argents Mead, Hinckley LE10
- When
- Every evening from 20 November, 4pm to 10pm
- Price
- No charge listed (public park)
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Hinckley's Argents Mead park becomes a trail of thousands of twinkling fairy lights in shades of green, blue and pink, wrapped around the trees, along the pathways and over the bandstand. The lights are turned on zone by zone on the night of Hinckley's Christmas lights switch on, Friday 20 November, from 5pm.
After that, Lights in the Mead is lit every evening from 4pm to 10pm, alongside the town centre Christmas lights and the Christmas tree in the Market Place. It makes an easy, short after school walk with little ones, and you can combine it with a look at the town centre lights. The listing does not mention a charge, as it is in a public park.
Parent tip: Go just after dark around 4.30pm for the best effect without a late bedtime.
See dates and details from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Newtown Linford
1 confirmed event in Newtown Linford, soonest first.
Santa's Grotto at Bradgate Park (Newtown Linford)
Santa’s grottoThe Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity · Newtown Linford
- Host
- The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Deer Barns Visitor Centre, Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford LE7 7HQ
- When
- Weekends 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20 December, 10am to 3.30pm
- Price
- £16 per child (includes a personalised gift); adults free (up to 2 per slot)
- Ages
- All ages, gifts for babies to 10+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa sets up his cabin grotto at the Deer Barns Visitor Centre in the middle of Bradgate Park on three December weekends. Children share their Christmas wishes with Santa, meet his friendly and slightly mischievous elves, and receive a personalised, age appropriate present chosen for their age bracket. Afterwards they can make a festive decoration with the elves to take home.
Visits are by timed ticket only, in 10 minute slots between 10am and 3.30pm. Tickets are £16 per child, and up to two adults per slot go free. The grotto is about a 15 to 20 minute walk on a flat tarmac path from the Hallgates pay and display car park (LE7 7HQ), or 30 to 40 minutes from Newtown Linford. Tickets cannot be refunded or swapped, so check the date and time carefully, and arrive on time.
Parent tip: Allow at least 20 minutes to walk from Hallgates car park; late arrivals may miss their slot.
See dates and details from The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Oadby
1 confirmed event in Oadby, soonest first.
Oadby Christmas Lights Switch-On
Christmas lights switch-onVisit Leicester · Oadby
- Host
- Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Oadby town centre, Oadby LE2
- When
- Saturday 14 November, 12pm to 8pm (lights on at 6pm)
- Price
- Not listed
- Ages
- All the family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Oadby gets the festive season started early with its Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 14 November. The event runs from 12pm to 8pm, with seasonal entertainment and festive activities through the afternoon and the big moment, when the lights are illuminated, at 6pm.
It is one of three community switch ons in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, described as a great way to kick off Christmas with family and friends. Full details of entertainment, activities and attractions are still to be confirmed, so check back nearer the time for the line up. If you miss this one, Wigston switches on its lights on 28 November and South Wigston on 5 December.
Parent tip: The full programme is still to be announced, so check the page again closer to the day.
See dates and details from Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in South Wigston
1 confirmed event in South Wigston, soonest first.
South Wigston Christmas Lights Switch-On
Christmas lights switch-onVisit Leicester · South Wigston
- Host
- Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- South Wigston, South Wigston LE18
- When
- Saturday 5 December, 1pm to 6pm (lights on at 5.30pm)
- Price
- Not listed
- Ages
- All the family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
South Wigston holds its Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 5 December, from 1pm to 6pm, with the lights switched on at 5.30pm. It is the last of the three community switch ons in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston this year.
Visit Leicester promises seasonal entertainment and festive activities through the afternoon, with more details to be added as they are confirmed. The earlier switch on time makes it one of the more toddler friendly lights events in the area, as the main moment happens before tea time. It is a small local event rather than a big city spectacle, which many families with young children prefer. Keep an eye on the page for the confirmed entertainment.
Parent tip: The lights go on at 5.30pm, earlier than most, which suits younger children.
See dates and details from Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Twycross
1 confirmed event in Twycross, soonest first.
Lanterns of the Wild (Twycross)
Christmas lightsTwycross Zoo · Twycross
- Host
- Twycross Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Twycross Zoo, Burton Road, Twycross CV9 3PX
- When
- Selected evenings, 6 November to 21 February
- Price
- Children £13.75, standard £19
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lanterns of the Wild returns to Twycross Zoo on an all new route through more than a mile of light. Thousands of handcrafted lanterns transform the zoo after dark into glowing jungles, frozen forests, volcanic landscapes and vivid underwater worlds, with new sights around every corner.
The trail runs on selected evenings from 6 November right through to 21 February, mostly Thursday to Sunday and every evening across the Christmas holidays. Tickets are £13.75 for children and £19 standard. There is a dedicated SEN session on 26 November for children who prefer a calmer visit. The zoo also runs a separate Santa's Grotto this year, and suggests booking the grotto at least 30 minutes before your lantern entry if you plan to do both.
Parent tip: Book the SEN evening on 26 November for a quieter visit; wear warm layers and sturdy shoes for the mile long route.
See dates and details from Twycross Zoo (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Wigston
1 confirmed event in Wigston, soonest first.
Wigston Christmas Lights Switch-On
Christmas lights switch-onVisit Leicester · Wigston
- Host
- Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Wigston town centre, Wigston LE18
- When
- Saturday 28 November, 12pm to 7pm (lights on at 6pm)
- Price
- Not listed
- Ages
- All the family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Wigston's Christmas lights switch on takes place on Saturday 28 November, running from 12pm to 7pm. Expect seasonal entertainment and festive activities through the afternoon, building up to the lights being switched on at 6pm.
This is the middle of three switch ons across the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, alongside Oadby on 14 November and South Wigston on 5 December. Visit Leicester describes them as community events and a great way to start Christmas with family and friends. The detailed line up of entertainment and attractions is still being confirmed and will be added to the page as it is announced. As a local town centre event, it is an easy, low cost way to give children a taste of the Christmas build up.
Parent tip: Line up details are still to come; check the page nearer the date.
See dates and details from Visit Leicester (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in the UK
- Christmas events for kids in London
- Christmas events for kids in Birmingham
- Christmas events for kids in Manchester
- Christmas events for kids in Liverpool
- Christmas events for kids in Leeds
- Christmas events for kids in Sheffield
- Christmas events for kids in Bristol
- Christmas events for kids in Glasgow
- Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh
- Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
- Christmas events for kids in Nottingham
- Christmas events for kids in Cardiff
- Christmas events for kids in Belfast
- Christmas events for kids in the UK
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Leicester Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Leicester in 2026?
We confirmed 17 Christmas events for kids in Leicester for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Lanterns of the Wild (Twycross), Oadby Christmas Lights Switch-On (Oadby), Leicester's Christmas Lights Switch On, Lights in the Mead (Hinckley), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Father Christmas Needs A Wee (Mountsorrel), Playful Elves Workshop (Coalville), Santa's Spaceport Experience, Wigston Christmas Lights Switch-On (Wigston), Abbey Pumping Station Christmas Steam Day, Christmas Fayre & Christmas Lights Switch on (Mountsorrel) and Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Leicester?
Yes. 2 of the 17 events here are free, including Christmas Fayre & Christmas Lights Switch on (Mountsorrel) and Enderby Christmas Lights Event (Enderby). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Leicester this year?
Santa appears at Father Christmas Needs A Wee (Mountsorrel), Santa's Spaceport Experience, Enderby Christmas Lights Event (Enderby) and Santa's Grotto at Bradgate Park (Newtown Linford). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Leicester?
Christmas story times on this page: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Father Christmas Needs A Wee (Mountsorrel) and Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
