Magical month to light up Leicester this Christmas

by Cristina Olaru

A fairytale Christmas is expected in Leicester this year after an innovative festive approach by the city council and its partners will see activities run until January 7.

On December 6, Jubilee Square Ice Rink, sponsored by De Montfort University’s DMU Local, again brings the joy of skating in the city centre with a beautiful view over the Christmas Wheel of Light.

The Lord Mayor of Leicester Peter Soulsby, opened the rink last night, with a speech sitting on the ice rink cleaning machine.

IMG_20181205_221236 — Mayor of Leicester at the opening of Jubilee Square Ice Rink *(Image: Cristina Olaru)*

After the Mayor’s speech, the National Skating Champions performed beautiful dance attracting crowds keen to capture the show in videos and pictures.

20181205_204555 — National Champions perform on the ice *(Image: Cristina Olaru)*

BID Leicester will light up the Cathedral Gardens from December 13, by presenting Christmas in the Garden, a magical moment where a four metre high sphere will come to life after dark. The unique and interactive installation will allow visitors to add their own image in the mix of colours and sparkling animations.

BID Leicester Director Simon Jenner said: “Cathedral Gardens is an important thoroughfare between the popular ice rink and the city’s independent businesses of The Lanes and St Martin’s Square. The lightweight installation at the centre of the Gardens is a new and exciting attraction for the city during the festive period, so I hope this event will inspire people to further explore the interesting shops, restaurants and bars in this historic area of Leicester.”

20181205_205753 — A four metre high sphere in Cathedral Gardens *(Image: BID Leicester)*

The city welcomes Santa in the Square on theDecember 8, hoping to please everyone’s wishes. The Christmas Funfair offers an adventurous spot with bright colourful rides and funny games to entertain in a festive atmosphere, together with the spectacular Christmas lights.

Mayor Peter Soulsby, said: “I think that Leicester, certainly today, celebrates Christmas bigger and better than any similar city anywhere in the UK. We now have fifteen streets with lights in them. A wonderful big wheel, is back again this year, we’ve got an ice rink that is even bigger than last year and lots of other things… Santa Claus in the square, and the wonderful Christmas scenes in Town Hall Square. These are a good example of how the city council can work with partners.

“It really is a magical place to be at Christmas.”

IMG_20181205_215545 — Mayor Peter Soulsby, talking about Leicester this Christmas (Image: Cristina Olaru)

A reminder of the essence of Christmas can be seen in the Traditional Nativity Scene, placed beside the fountain from the Town Hall Square. The scene depicts what Christmas is all about, the birth of Jesus Christ.

cristinaolaru — The ‘Traditional Nativity Scene’ in Town Hall Square *(Image: Cristina Olaru)*

The festive trail of Leicester continues with an Alice in Wonderland tableau, situated in the garden of Town Hall Square. The animated tableau is surrounded by Christmas decorations and beautiful lights at night.

ppppp — Alice in Wonderland Christmas tableau (Image: Cristina Olaru)

For lovers of theatre or musical, stages like The Curve, De Montfort Hall, Phoenix, The Y Theatre, all have breath-taking shows of comedy and adventure, such as Peter Pan, The Nutcracker, Snow White, and White Christmas.

Leicester City Council’s partners and sponsors include: DMU Local, Octopus Energy, ITV, The Music License, BID Leicester, Leicester Mercury, Arch Creative.