Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Leicestershire & Rutland
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Stick Man Christmas Trail
5th November-31st December 2025
Venue: Hicks Lodge
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/stick-man
Families can join Stick Man on a magical winter adventure and team up with Santa to deliver the final Christmas present. This interactive festive adventure invites young explorers to enjoy lots of fun...
Leicester Christmas Market
13th November-28th December 2025
Venue: Leicester City Centre
Website: www.visitleicester.info/event/leicester-christmas-market
Make sure you visit Leicester’s Christmas Market, right in the heart of your city centre. From the High Street to Gallowtree Gate, you will see the streets come alive with charming wooden chalets, twinkling...
Dance Central Leicester
20th November-1st February 2026
Venue: Inglehurst Junior School
Website: www.dance-central.co.uk
Dance Central welcomes children from 2.5-18yrs offering classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street Dance, Musical Theatre (singing and acting) and Acro (gymnastics). Children take part in performances and...
Kumon Free Assessment
20th November-1st February 2026
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.kumon.co.uk
Kumon study centres across the country, offer individualised maths and English study programmes tailored to all ages and abilities. Designed to develop their independent study skills and confidently tackle...
Cinderella
21st November-11th January 2026
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Don't miss this year's hilarious, fun-filled, family pantomime Cinderella starring Lichfield Pantomime favourite San Rabone! With hilarious comedy, beautiful sets and costumes, and a magical cast, Cinderella...
Cinderella
22nd November-4th January 2026
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall
Website: www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk
Featuring sparkling sets, fabulous frocks, side splitting slapstick and not one, but two outrageous dames, this is an unmissable treat for the whole family. The clock is ticking so grab your tickets to...
Great Central Railway Santa Express
22nd November-24th December 2025
Venue: Great Central Railway
Website: www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/experience/gcrex-santa-express
During your festive adventure, children will meet Santa, receive a specially curated Christmas Activity Pack filled with games, puzzles, and colouring sheets and to make the day truly special, Santa himself...
Ice Skate Leicester
28th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Ice Skate Leicester
Website: https://iceskateleicester.co.uk
Step into a magical world of real ice skating at Jubilee Square, Leicester. From November 28 to January 4, experience the joy of gliding on authentic ice in the beautifully designed winter wonderland setting.Accessibility...
James B Partridge - The Big Christmas Assembly 2025
28th November 2025
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
This Christmas, James brings his beloved show to Leicester, inviting audiences to relive the heartwarming magic of a classic Christmas assembly.Fans rave about James’s ability to create a sense of community...
The Magical Santa Express
28th November-23rd December 2025
Venue: Statfold Country Park
Website: www.statfold.com/magicalsantaexpress
Your enchanting journey will involve boarding a beautifully lit train to see the big man himself in Santa's Grotto having fun with Mrs Claus and many more magical adventures to follow with the elves!...
Guildhall Christmas Craft Fair
29th-30th November 2025
Venue: Leicester Guildhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Experience the magic of Christmas shopping in the stunning medieval Guildhall. Warm up by the real fire and admire the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the historic courtyard. Discover a wonderful...
Abbey Pumping Station Christmas Steam Day
30th November 2025
Venue: Abbey Pumping Station
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Enjoy the return of this popular festive event, with one of the Beam Engines in Steam while the band plays Christmas carols. Lots of traditional Christmas toys on show from railways to model steam engines.Plus...
RB&O: Cinderella (Encore)
30th November 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com
This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family and will transport you into an ethereal world where a sprinkling of...
Aliens Love Panta Claus
2nd December-4th January 2026
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
This Christmas at Curve join a super-charged rabble of aliens and Santa Claus, as they spread festive knicker cheer across Curve, in the brand-new stage show of Claire Freedman and Ben Cort‘s picture...
Rainbows Loughborough Christmas Concert
3rd December 2025
Venue: Rainbows Hospice
Website: www.rainbows.co.uk
Enjoy an evening of festive music at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, by joining the Rainbows Christmas Concert – one of the county’s favourite seasonal performances. This year, Rock Choir, Choirs and...
The Sound of Music Theatre Day
4th December 2025
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
Through fantastic demonstrations and discussions with team members, gain exclusive insights into the rehearsal and technical process of the production. Discover how the actors, creatives and production...
Illuminated Arboretum
5th-22nd December 2025
Venue: National Memorial Arboretum
Website: www.thenma.org.uk
Around every corner at the Arboretum, you’ll find a story waiting to be discovered. With the night sky setting the scene, Illuminated Arboretum transforms the landscape using light, sound and colour...
Santa’s Magical History Tour presents 'Krampus' at Leicester Guildhall
5th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Guildhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Enter the Guildhall after dark and embrace the darker side of the festive season with our special event featuring the legendary Krampus. A Christmas Experience with a twist for older children. Get ready...
Aladdin
6th-7th December 2025
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: www.centurytheatre.co.uk
With breath-taking digital sets, animated scenes and stunning visual effects, this year’s panto will transport you from Coalville to the Cave of Wonders – all at family-friendly prices that won’t...
Countdown to Christmas!
6th December 2025
Venue: Melton Carnegie Museum
Website: www.meltonmuseum.org
Follow the Christmas stars trail around the museum (free), make a star collage (free) and decorate a star or snowflake tealight holder (£2.50). 10am-4.30pm Tuesday - Saturday.
Santa's Christmas Party
6th December 2025
Venue: The Y Theatre
Website: https://ytheatre.co.uk
Help get Santa’s Christmas Party back on track in an adventure full of fun, festive songs and party games. Then meet Santa at his home in the North Pole, where every child will receive a special present...
Accessible Afternoon
7th December 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
An afternoon to support children, young adults and families with additional needs and disabilities, designed for SEND visitors who would benefit from a quieter experience. All activities are drop-in, to...
Barrie's Christmas Dog Walk
7th December 2025
Venue: Nook Corner Coffee Shop, Anstey
Website: www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk
Join Charity Ambassador, Barrie Stephen, on his annual sponsored Christmas dog walk. Grab your Christmas jumpers and your four-legged pals and get walking and raising funds for Leicester Animal Aid! After...
Christmas at the National Space Centre
7th-21st December 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Step into a season of sparkle and discovery at the award-winning National Space Centre. From meeting Santa in his magical space grotto to enjoying festive films and toddler-friendly discovery days, they’ve...
Freddie's Festive Run
7th December 2025
Venue: Hastings Hugh School
Website: https://bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk/fffr-2025/
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or simply joining for the festive feel-good vibes, Freddie’s Festive Fun Run is the perfect way to kick off your Christmas celebrations. Sign up and...
Loughborough Santa Run
7th December 2025
Venue: Loughborough Market Place
Website: www.rainbows.co.uk
Whether you choose to hop, skip, dance, or dash your way along the route, you’re guaranteed to have a jolly good time. As a special Christmas gift everyone who registers will receive a Santa t-shirt...
Santa Sunday
7th December 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Join Mrs Claus and the NOEL Elves on a space mission to help save Christmas. If your mission is successful, you’ll meet the real Santa, share your Christmas wishes, capture a festive photo, and receive...
The Snowman
7th December 2025
Venue: Concordia Theatre
Website: https://concordiatheatre.co.uk
Following two years of successful performances across the county, Enderby Band are making their debut visit to Concordia Theatre this winter with a screening of Raymond Brigg’s Christmas classic, The...
YMCA Carol Concert
10th December 2025
Venue: The Y Theatre
Website: https://ytheatre.co.uk
Join The Y Theatre for live performances, bible readings and carol singing. This cosy carol service is a great time to meet with friends and celebrate Christmas with mulled wine and mince pies. The event...
Christmas Jumper Day
11th December 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.savethechildren.org.uk
Sign up with your workplace, school, community or friend group and join millions of people getting silly for a seriously good cause with Save the Children.You get to have fun, commit some crimes against...
Dick Whittington
12th December-4th January 2026
Venue: The Little Theatre
Website: www.thelittletheatre.co.uk
Get ready for a spellbinding adventure filled with laughter, mischief, and a sprinkle of magic as The Little Theatre present the dazzling tale of Dick Whittington! This is a festive spectacle bursting...
Jack and the Beanstalk
12th-18th December 2025
Venue: Melton Theatre
Website: https://meltontheatre-tickets.ticketsolve.com/
Trio productions presents "Jack & The Beanstalk". Join them on an unforgettable journey to the Land of Giants, where danger and adventure await! Bursting with spectacular songs, dazzling dance routines,...
Santa's Magical History Tour Presents 'Santa at the Guildhall'
12th-21st December 2025
Venue: Leicester Guildhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Follow the puzzle trail around the medieval Guildhall meeting festive characters and challenges along the way. Become a member of the Elf Guild and discover tales of Christmas history with Thursday the...
Christmas Extravaganza
13th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk
Celebrate the season with a magical mix of adventure, creativity, and festive cheer at Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre. Their Christmas Extravaganza offers a full day of outdoor fun for the whole family....
Christmas Extravaganza
13th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk
Santa’s Grotto will be open so go along, meet Santa, and collect an early Christmas present! Plus don’t miss the much-loved Santa Paddle on 21 December, with carols, festive treats, and a merry paddle...
Countdown to Christmas!
13th December 2025
Venue: Melton Carnegie Museum
Website: www.meltonmuseum.org
Make your own cracker (£2.50), make a cracker gift tag (free) and follow the cracker trail around the gallery (free).10am-4.30pm Tuesday - Saturday.
Festive Toy Shop
13th December 2025
Venue: LCB Depot
Website: parentsforfuture.org.uk
The run up to Christmas is the perfect time to clear-out all those unwanted kids toys and books, so take them along to this festive toy swap where you can exchange them for something different.Please ensure...
Christmas at the Manor
14th December 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
Discover how Christmas was celebrated by rich and poor people in times gone by! The 1620s House & Garden will be beautifully dressed in Jacobean style décor. What’s more, there’ll be colouring in...
Film Club: The Grinch Double Feature
14th December 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
Add some cinematic sparkle to your Christmas in Leicester with a festive Film Club double feature! The Grinch (U): A magical, mischievous Christmas adventure for all ages and How the Grinch Stole Christmas...
Sleeping Beauty
14th-23rd December 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
Help Prince Valentine defeat the evil fairy, Molevola and wake Sleeping Beauty with true loves kiss. Packed with songs, slapstick, silliness, audience participation and all the fairytale magic of traditional...
The Kids' Gala Preview 2026
14th December 2025
Venue: The Y Theatre
Website: https://ytheatre.co.uk
The Kids' Gala Preview is back!! Join them as they peel back the curtain to reveal some of the most exciting acts coming to The UK Kids' Comedy Festival in 2026! Watch out for a superb line-up of big names,...
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
14th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Guildhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve. The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing...
Candlelit Carolling
16th December 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
An atmospheric evening tour through the traditionally decorated rooms of Jacobean Manor. This will include a festive mix of music, carols, and a mummers play. There will be two tours: 5-6.30pm and 7-8.30pm. Tickets...
Candlelit Christmas Tours
17th December 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
Join this intimate candlelit tour around the House, to discover the secrets of 17th Century Christmas traditions and how the Digby family would have spent the festive period. There are four sessions running...
A Christmas Carol: A One-Man Performance
19th-20th December 2025
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: https://centurytheatre.co.uk
Faithfully adapted from Dickens original text, Christopher Commander’s critically acclaimed one-man performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will transport you back to Victorian London on...
Christmas Family Hampers
20th December 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
Festive family workshop to make the perfect Christmas hamper filled with crafts and treats. Activities to include: Decorate your hamper, Icing a biscuit and cake, Craft a Christmas cracker, design a Christmas...
Countdown to Christmas!
20th December 2025
Venue: Melton Carnegie Museum
Website: www.meltonmuseum.org
Make a foil art tree decoration (£2.50), make a 'Santa please stop here' door hanger (free) and find the clues around the museum with the Santa and Reindeer trail (free). 10am - 4.30pm Tuesday - Saturday.
The Snowman
21st December 2025
Venue: Melton Theatre
Website: https://meltontheatre-tickets.ticketsolve.com/
The film will be followed by a short selection of family-friendly festive favourite pieces, songs, and carols to leave you with those cosy Christmas feelings on the run up to the Big Day. Two screenings,...
Family Christmas Crafts and Christingle Service
22nd December 2025
Venue: Leicester Cathedral
Website: https://leicestercathedral.org
Visit the Cathedral for free Christmas craft making activities followed by an interactive family service in aid of The Children's Society. Build your own Christingle at 3pm, share the Christmas story,...
Kids Christmas Eve Disco
24th December 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
Join DJ Shelley for a Christmas Eve disco! She's turning the lights down low, turning the music up and inviting all young holiday heros (and their parents/guardians). Go along and make magical Christmas...
The Crib Service
24th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Cathedral
Website: https://leicestercathedral.org
A family friendly service telling the Christmas story with carols and music by the Cathedral Choir. Go and help build the Cathedral Crib and enter the mystery and joy of Christmas together. All are welcome...
Post Christmas Family Raceday
28th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Racecourse
Website: www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk
Horseracing offers something for everyone, and at Leicester Racecourse, it’s no different. Whether you want to dress up or dress down, take your family for a fun day out, dance to live music or enjoy...
Winter Fair
29th-30th December 2025
Venue: Beaumanor Hall
Website: www.beaumanorhall.co.uk
Three magical weekends of festive shopping, local charm and winter warmth. Get ready to step into the spirit of the season at Beaumanor Hall’s Winter Gift Fair, a festive celebration of local craftmanship,...
Christmas Fayre and Christmas Light Switch On
30th December 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
The annual Mountsorrel Christmas Lights Switch on includes a Christmas gift fayre from 1pm with lots of entertainment and food stalls plus you'll be able to visit Santa in his winter wonderland. Lights...
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets
11th January 2026
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Shake it Off to Taylor Swift, sing along to Flowers with Miley Cyrus, dust off all your best dance moves to Vampires with Olivia Rodrigo, and not forgetting the unstoppable Sabrina Carpenter performing...
Dick Whittington
15th January-7th February 2026
Venue: Concordia Theatre
Website: https://concordiatheatre.co.uk
Whilst there is a smidgeon of accuracy in this tale – the rest of the tale will be jam-packed with true Concordia panto magic! Spectacular sets and costumes, breath-taking special effects and a wealth...
Swan Lake
5th-6th February 2026
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide...
The Nutcracker
7th February 2026
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2026 brought to life by magical special effects.This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.When...
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
15th February 2026
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: www.centurytheatre.co.uk
Hold on to your horns and join the three billy goats on their wild and wacky adventure, as they bravely cross the rickety bridge to greener pastures. But who will they meet along the way as they trip trap...