A wonderful Christmas in Leicestershire

Prepare for a fantastic Christmas in Leicestershire with our definitive list of the best big attractions and events, the loveliest light switch ons, brilliant Christmas Markets and everything else besides. It’s a packed calendar and we’ll continue to update the blog as we find out more!

The fun doesn’t stop there, as a whole host of fantastic events and attractions also get the festive season roaring in gear. And roars are the order of the day (or night) at Twycross Zoo as the evenings will be illuminated by their Lanterns of the Wild event. Step into glowing animal worlds, explore vibrant habitats, and spark your sense of wonder as you explore over one mile of life-size animal lanterns and the world’s first Gruffalo lantern experience. Get your tickets early!

You’ll be put in the mood by Belvoir Castle’s Magical Night Before Christmas. After a year away in 2024, they will again be transforming the beautiful regency castle – which doubled for Windsor Castle in Netflix’s The Crown – with stunning lights, beautifully decorated trees and themed decorations alongside wonderful Christmas events and fun for the whole family including the Mice Trail round the Castle. Come and meet Santa in his grotto and get those special gifts for the festive season at the Belvoir Retail Village including the newly refurbished Farm Shop. Info and tickets here

Hop onto the Santa Express at the Great Central Railway as you steam through the Leicestershire Countryside for an unforgettable experience as you meet Father Christmas on an authentic steam train. Running every weekend from the 22 December onwards, this magical journey on the historic line is a treat for all ages. They are also running fine dining Christmas dinner experiences on the train and a Christmas Murder Mystery event to celebrate the season! Find out more and book tickets here.

The National Forest’s Conkers is hosting a Winter Wonderland. From the 5 December, wrap up warm and get ready for an Elf adventure at Waterside Winter Wonderland, where Santa’s Chief Elf and his team will send you through Waterside’s Enchanted Forest and the Valley of Christmas Lights to discover Santa’s Woodland Grotto. You can also warm-up in Frostys Ice Cavern for Craft, experience flutters of snow in the Christmas 4D Cinema and explore 80 acres of Outdoor Walks and activities featuring the Reindeer Trail. Get your tickets here.

Coming back to Blaby District this season is the Archers Festive Tractor Run.Running throughout South Leicestershire, this iconic free event sees hundreds of tractors, lorries and other farm machinery festooned with lights and driving around the county! In aid of a number of local charities, the Tractor Run will be on Sunday 21 December. Times and route will be confirmed closer to the day.

The Lights go on across Leicestershire throughout November and we’re running down some of the top ones right here. It all starts in Oadby on Saturday 15 November as the Parade is closed for a proper Christmas fair with entertainment, food and fun as the lights go on.

Next up is Hinckley as the traditional Tin Hat Fair marks the start of the festivities in the town. The lights go on Friday 21 November with the fair continuing into Saturday. Saturday 22 November is also the day for the Market Harborough lights switch-on, from 5-8pm in the Square as the lights will go on alongside loads of fantastic fun.

On Friday 28 November Loughborough hosts its lights switch on from 4pm with live music, performances and entertainment on the main stage, Christmas Market stalls, fantastic food and drink, Funfair rides, roaming entertainers, Christmas characters, and plenty of photo opportunities. The next day, Saturday 29November there are multiple switch on events, with Christmas in Coalville, including the lights going on and the Castle Donington light-up event!

On the weekend of the 5^th December we conclude our switch on round-up as Enderby lights up on Friday night, then Ashby de la Zouch on Saturday 6 December and Kegworth on Sunday 7 December.

We’ve already mentioned the two day Tin Hat Fair in Hinckley, which marks the start of the towns celebrations on 21 and 22 November, but there are loads more fairs and markets across the county, and we’re going to just list them below, as there are loads!

• Sunday 23 November: Sock Christmas Art and Craft Fair Loughborough Town Hall
• Friday 28 to Sunday 30 November: Melton Christmas Fair and Market
• Saturday 29 November: Market Harborough Artisan Fair
• Sunday 30 November: Moira Furnace Christmas Fair ad Cosby Tithe Barn Christmas Market
• Thursday 4 December: Market Harborough Farmers Market
• Friday 5 December: Cosby Christmas Tree Festival and Market, Market Harborough Christmas Fayre
• Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December: Melton Stockyard Christmas Market
• Saturday 6 December: The Griffin Inn Swithland Christmas Market
• Sunday 7 December: Kegworth Christmas Market
• Saturday 13 December: Market Harborough Artisan Fair
• Sunday 14 December: Love Loughborough Steampunk Christmas Market and Hinckley Festive Feast and Craft Market
• Thursday 18 December: Market Harborough Farmers Market
• Sunday 21 December: Blaby Christmas Fair at the Fox & Tiger

Watch out for more fantastic festive fun throughout the run up to Christmas. The 1620s House turn their historic manor into a period festive treat, with a Prelude to Xmas Lute Concert, Christman Afternoon Tea, Tudor Christmas, Carolling at the Manor and Candlelit Christmas Tours. Check out their What’s On here.

You can also take in Christmas on the Farm at Windmill Farm Park from 30 November, the annual Christmas Car Lights Trail in Hinckley on 3 December, plus Santa Runs in Oadby on 30 November, Loughborough and Ashby on 7 December, and Coalville on 14 December.

Melton Mowbray is hosting a Folk Music Trail with performances around the Town on Sunday 14 December, and at the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience they’re holding a special screening of Die Hard on Sunday 14 December.

We could go into all the pantos around the county, but we think that we’ll save that for a special ‘Showtime on stage’ blog coming very soon! But no matter what you’re looking to do this Christmas, there is absolutely loads going on across Leicestershire.

Head to visitleicester.info/christmas for all the info.