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Riverside Festival Q&A

April 27th 2026

When is the Riverside festival?

Saturday 6th June & Sunday 7th June 2026

What are the opening times?

The parks are open at 12noon on both days.

Where is the Riverside Festival?

The event takes place in various sites:

  • Bede Park, LE2 7HN
  • Western Blvd
  • River Soar (Mile Strait)
  • Castle Gardens, LE2 7BY
  • The Newarke LE2 7BY
  • Newarke Houses Museum & Gardens LE2 7BY
  • Castle View, Leicester, LE1 5WH
  • DMU Campus LE2 7BJ

do i need a ticket?

No, Leicester Riverside is a free event and open to all. Some stalls and activities will require payment for their services.

Will traders accept card?

Some traders, but not all will have the ability to take card payments. There is a cash point on Western Boulevard at Tesco Express if cash withdrawals are needed.

Can I bring my bike?

Travel by bike is encouraged! To visit by bike visit leicester.gov.uk/cycling

What is there to do?

There’s a mixture of activities on and off the water including Live music, an artisan market, children’s funfair, boats trips, kayaking, global street food, outdoor theatre, sports activities, craft workshops, bike shows, Heritage tours, face painting, hair braiding, and much more.

Is there food available to buy at the festival?

There is a huge variety of street food traders at the event this year.

Are there vegetarian & vegan options?

Yes, there will be catering options for vegan and vegetarian diets, with some stalls offering gluten free options.

Is alcohol sold at the event?

Yes, there are fully licensed bars on Bede Park, The Piazza Stage & Castle Gardens. Smaller bespoke cocktail trailers are also on site.

Can I park on site?

There are road closures in place to make the site safe to the public so parking around the area is limited. We recommend parking in the city centre which is a short walk from the festival.

Other ways to get to the festival

To visit the festival by bus, telephone Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

We also recommend choosehowyoumove.co.uk for advice on planning your journey.

Is there live music?

Yes! Stay tuned for more info on performance times.

Can you bring food into the parks?

There will be a selection of global foods to buy onsite but yes you can bring a picnic

Is alcohol permitted on the Parks?

There will be several main bars around the sites including Bede Park, Castle Gardens and the Piazza stage with a few bespoke bars around sites on Western Blvd and DMU Campus, no glass bottles are permitted on the parks.

are dogs allowed?

Dogs are allowed in the parks but in the interest of public and animal safety these must be well behaved and kept on a lead.

Where can I get more information and updates?

Social media updates will be given on our pages here: https://www.instagram.com/leicesterfest

Keep exploring