What’s on this half term and bank holiday!

Looking for something to do with the kids this half term? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to everything happening across Leicester and Leicestershire. From big events to free fun family activities, there can be no excuse for missing out. Craft activities, Star Wars exhibition, cycling events, medieval fairs, historic railway events and loads more!

The Spark Arts Children’s Festival takes place from 16-24 May with a special family focused weekend on the 23 & 24 May including workshops, community day and film screenings. There’s loads of chance to get involved with fun activities! Download the brochure from the Spark Arts website.

Explore Leicester and find all our celestial bodies on the BID Leicester Planet Parade. This free, city-wide trail transforms Leicester into a walkable solar system. Created by around 250 local children working alongside artists, find all the fantastic artworks across the city centre. More info here, or download the MyLeicester app.

Join Wigston’s St Wistan’s Day Fair on Saturday 30 May, open from 11am-4pm and including period combat displays and re-enactments, crafts such as Saxon shield, coin and candle making, Saxon games, costume try-on, Morris dancers, Punch and Judy – and lots more!

On Sunday 31 May, Open Streets returns for the summer. This cycling focused event takes over the city centre and 2026’s inaugural event is focused on street art as Graffwerk take over for their annual Street Art Jam. Graffiti and art workshops plus demos, live music, bike maintenance and rides! Come and join the fun.

Enter a Galaxy Far Far Away with the May The Toys Be With You Star Wars exhibition at Leicester Museum. The Mandalorian and Grogu will be in cinemas and you can explore the history of Star Wars toys including their genesis at the Palitoy factory in Coalville. Open 7 days a week!

On Tuesday 26 May join the Half Term Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station. Free entry and just 50p to take a ride on the narrow gauge locomotive. On Wednesday 27 May, head to Newarke Houses Museum to make a ladybird or bee hat and a flying fairy (just £5). Take part in the bug hunt trail around the gardens and spot the funny fairies around the museum. Dressing up is welcomed! Then on Thursday 28 May, come to the Guildhall and create your own clay art or model from air drying clay to take home (£4). Entry to the Guildhall itself is free and your little ones can follow exciting trails, get their faces painted, and make their own masterpieces to take home.

Take part in National Smile Month celebrations at St Barnabas, Central, New Parks and Braunstone libraries where there will be a scavenger hunt, games, stories and advice on good tooth brushing habits. With a Knit Club and craft activities at Pork Pie Library, plant pot decorating and seed planting at Evington Library and Lego Coding at Knighton library, there’s lots to get involved with throughout the week.

Blast off for half term with Mission Space at the National Space Centre. Enjoy family talks, hands-on workshops, and a thrilling trip on the Tharsis spacecraft at the National Space Centre. Included in annual tickets or get yours here.

Coming to Belvoir Castle during half term is Boom Circus: Pirates of the Big Top! Bringing an extraordinarily talented team of acrobats, jugglers and aerial athletes, they will wow the crowds with astonishing routines in their brand-new Pirate-themed production. Running throughout the Bank Holiday weekend from 23-25 May, get your tickets here

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 24 May take part in the Perfect Picnic Hunt at the 1620s House. The 1620s team has brought some food to have a picnic, but left it in different places around the House! Search for all the food and you’ll get a gift to say thank you! £3 per sheet.

On Monday 25 May Leicester Racecouse are holding a special Picnic at the Races race day. Come and have a picnic in the car park before taking in a family friendly day of horse racing. There will be a Face Painter and Glitter Artist available free of charge on a first-come first-served basis, plus a small selection of ‘ Billy Bates’ Fairground rides. Under 18s go FREE! Get your tickets here.

Glastonbudget is the UK’s original and longest‑running tribute music festival, bringing some of the very best tribute acts together in a field near Loughborough! On 23 & 24 May, expect tributes to Avril Lavigne, Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix tribute band, Robbie Williams, Queen, Foo Fighters and of course Leicester’s finest Kasabian! Tickets available here

Bosworth Battlefield have loads happening across half term, with a Knight School on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May for kids aged 7-14. Book your place and pass the training to become a knight of the realm! Then on Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May see the pros in action as armoured knights take part in a 13^th Century foot tournament, known as a ‘Feast of Arms’: clash between knights for glory and riches! Just £3 entry on the day and under 3s are free!

Step back in time with the Great Central Railway’s 1940s Weekend on 30 & 31 May. Take a ride on the historic steam trains and explore the different stations on the line to discover classic military and civilian vehicles live bands, singers, and dance demonstrations, historical recreations of the spirit of the Home Front and wartime Britain. Get a taste the 1940s with a pint of Quorn Tin Shed Real Ale or authentic 1940s-themed menus at their food outlets. Browse and buy vintage products at the trader village at Quorn station and re-live the atmosphere of a 1940s dance hall with live music on both Friday and Saturday evenings.