Old Town Festival - Roman Edition

Old Town Festival is a new FREE event for 2025 incorporating the traditional St George's Festival with the Historic Roman Heritage of the City.

Leicester – Get ready to step back in time! Famous French artist Olivier Grossetête and his team are coming to Leicester to lead an exciting project that will rebuild part of the city’s Roman past—using only cardboard! This massive structure will recreate what the entrance to the Roman Forum might have looked like in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, based on Leicester City Council’s Story of Leicester project.

This hands-on event is open to everyone, no matter their age or background. It’s a fun way to learn about history through art while working together to create something incredible.

The project will have ten fun workshops over five days during the Easter Holidays, where people can help build the cardboard pieces, these will be on the ground floor in the Highcross Shopping Centre. Then, on Saturday, April 26th, the whole community will come together at Jubilee Square to put the giant structure together. The next day, Sunday, April 27th, festival visitors will help take it down in a big, exciting finale!

Anyone can join in, whether it’s helping build, watching, or being part of the grand demolition. It’s a great way to be part of Leicester’s history and enjoy a creative adventure with friends and family!

Leicester City Council is ensuring strong support for the arts and community engagement with partners, BID Leicester, Global Streets, Arts Council England, Highcross Leicester, Haymarket Shopping Centre & Hidden Histories.