Low cost summer family activities in Leicester

We know that the summer holidays can be an expensive time for families, so we’ve put together some suggestions for lower cost and free family activities in Leicester this summer. From our elephant trail to festivals, workshops and exhibitions, take a look and plan some great days out!

A fantastic trail of decorated elephants dotted around the city are one of the highlights of summer in Leicester, and it’s completely free! This charity trail is run by LOROS, a fantastic Hospice serving Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Running from 14 July onwards, download the app, explore and find the elephants (it might take more than one visit) and then stop off for a coffee or snack at one of the city’s many fantastic eateries. Take a look at our preview blog here.

To tie in with the Stomp trail, Leicester Museum and Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition paying tribute to everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant. Beloved by kids of all ages, Elmer and friends is a special exhibition of the work of David McKee (also including Mr Benn, King Rollo and Not Now Bernard). There are loads of free craft and activity sessions throughout the summer, click here to find out more.

Unleash your creativity this summer with Mission Magpie at the Haymarket Shopping Centre. From 16 July to 20 August, get involved in FREE jungle-themed arts and crafts workshops for all ages. There’s no need to book – just drop in and get making! 11am – 3pm every Wednesday and Saturday (except 26 July). Each week features a new wild and wonderful activity.

This summer there are a series of safari animals around the centre and need you to find them all and uncover the password. Just pick up an activity sheet from the Customer Service Desk. Follow the trail around Highcross and discover 14 hidden safari animals to reveal the secret password. Then enter the competition by scanning the QR at the Customer Service Desk for a chance to win wild prizes!

The summer is full of fun festivals and flamboyant parades! On 2 August see the Caribbean Carnival parade dance through the city centre, then on 15 August the city marks VJ Day with 1940s festivities in Town Hall Square. For the Love of Jazz Festival brings free live music to Jubilee Square on 16 August and then on 29-31 August Brew Beat brings more live music to the same place. On 30 August, it’s time for rainbows as Leicester Pride’s flamboyant parade shimmys its way through Leicester on the way to Abbey Park.

Leicester Cathedral, where you can see the last resting place of King Richard III, is always free to enter (though there is a recommended donation of £5). Their new family Explorers’ Trail is free to all visitors, and uses storytelling inspired by characters based on their Grotesque carvings. These include a Fox and Tiger, Wyvern, Sheep and Peregrine Falcon, all important creatures in Leicester mythology. There is also a new activity book which is available to be purchased, where children of all ages can discover Leicester Cathedral’s heritage through Dot To Dot, colouring in, Spot the Difference, quizzes, wordsearches and so much more. This brand-new activity book is also part of a new range of merchandise with artwork by Designed by Esther. This summer, families can enjoy free drop-in summer holiday craft activities with a different theme and workshop every Tuesday and Thursday.

On the second Saturday of each month, the Cultural Quarter comes alive with fantastic free family friendly activities. Saturday 12 July is a Roman Leicester special, in honour of the Jewry Wall Museum opening on the 26^th. Explore the Cultural Quarter from the LCB Depot to the Curve theatre, Print Workshop, Phoenix cinema and Two Queens gallery.

On Sunday 20 July there’s a FREE Caribbean Cricket Festival at Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s Uptonsteel County Ground. It’s a day of community, cricket, culture, food, live DJs and much more!

Visit your local library three times between 28 June and 14 September 2025 and borrow and read at least six books to complete the challenge. You can also borrow books online from Leicester Libraries’ ebook or eAudiobook collections. Between 22 July and 13 August libraries will be hosting creative activity afternoons. Ask at your library for details – and don’t forget to borrow a book!

From 8-10 August head to Orton Square as the Curve theatre celebrates local artists and communities with free performances from musicians, actors, poets, dancers and storytellers. The full line up is coming soon!

From history and heritage to street art and the Riverside, get outside and explore with our range of Leicester trails, all available for free on our website. There are also trails and self-guided tours around the county, from Market Harborough to Melton and the National Forest.

Find them all here

Leicester itself has nearly 200 parks, green spaces and open areas, with some fantastic places to explore and let off steam. Feed the ducks and explore the history of Abbey Park before taking a ride on their mini railway, open on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the summer. You can relax in the wide open space of Victoria Park, take a trip through history by the river in Castle Gardens, or birdwatch and explore Watermead Country Park. There’s loads more to discover!