Not-So-Blue Mondays

Say bye-bye to the Blue Monday Mardies*

According to the people who claim to be experts in such things, we are fast approaching the most miserable day of the year.

The third Monday in January has, in recent years, been christened Blue Monday.

There’s a whole quasi-scientific formula behind it apparently.

But if the grotty weather and end of the Christmas jollies is getting you down, Leicester is the perfect place to help give the mardies a miss.

Here’s our top reasons to be cheerful:

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A post shared by WelkomToJamrok (@kenatroi) on Jan 2, 2019 at 7:02am PST

See the light…

Fresh air is good for you, right? Leicester is a busy city surrounded by beautiful countryside – so get out and enjoy it!

Bradgate Park in the late winter is not to be missed. Wrap up warm and witness this fantastic park in all its wintry glory. And shorter days mean your chances of catching a perfect sunset are even higher, what could be more Insta-perfect?

If retail therapy is more up your street, restore some calm to your shopping after the Christmas rush by taking a day to explore Leicester’s city centre at your leisure. Without the pressure of to do lists and presents to buy, it’s the perfect chance to take it easy, put yourself first and enjoy an extended lunch with friends. You’ll be spoilt for choice.

Ooo-yaah, hoo-gah…

Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is the Danish concept of cosy contentment but we’ve had this in Leicester for years.

Snuggling up with family or friends with something delicious to eat and drink could be the cure for the Blue Monday malonies. And it’s easy when you’ve got so many fantastic pubs and restaurants to choose form. Clearly, the Cosy Club knows the score, but why not venture out into the county and hunt out a roaring fire. You’ll find some of our favourites here.

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Ready for a laugh…

If you’re feeling down in the mouth in January, get ready to laugh until your face aches in February as the Leicester Comedy Festival returns for its 26^th year. Booking tickets to one of the record number of shows – including some of the biggest names in comedy like Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford, Nish Kumar, Tom Allen, Jo Brand and Russell Howard – taking place at 70 venues over three week is sure to raise a smile.

And the winner is…

February is Academy Awards time. That means Blue Monday is the perfect reason to treat yourself to some VIP treatment by catching one of the Oscar hopefuls in the plush directors lounge at Leicester’s state-of-the-art Showcase Cinema de Lux.

And as you’re already be in the lively Highcross Leicester shopping centre, why not treat yourself to a meal at before or after your movie?

Alternatively, show your love for indie film by checking out the more leftfield films – but equally mouth-watering meals – on offer at Phoenix, in the heart of the Cultural Quarter.

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Love seeing all these pics of our awesome building. So much love for our @bring_the_paint artist @alex.rubes . #Repost @ruthclowes with @get_repost ・・・ The Soundhouse in Leicester just has #strideby written all over it.

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Celebrate the real meaning of Blue Monday…

If you’re a lover of eighties music, it’s impossible to hear the words Blue Monday and not immediately recall one of the greatest drum machine intros in the history of music.

Why not pay homage to this synth-pop masterpiece by seeking out a copy – on sacred black wax if that’s your thing – in Rockaboom, just one of the fantastic independent shops trading in Leicester’s Lanes and arcades?

Of course, music is always good for the soul and best enjoyed live. Beat the January blues by getting yourself along to a gig and support Independent Venue Week from January 28^th. Leicester has four fantastic venues – The Cookie, Dryden Street Social, The Shed and The Soundhouse – signed up to the seven-day national celebration of small music venues.

*If you’re from Leicester, you’ll know no-one likes being mardy.