The Ultimate Christmas Guide for Leicester Families
Christmas is creeping closer, and Leicester and Leicestershire are getting ready for a wonderfully festive season! I’ll be adding new events and experiences as I find them, so keep checking back. This is going to be The Ultimate Christmas Guide for Leicester and the surrounding areas.
Details are correct at the time of sourcing. Please check with venues before setting off, as dates, times and prices can change or sell out. Many of these events will require advance booking.
Know a family who would love this? Share our guide and help spread the festive cheer!
Christmas Light Switch On’s
Oadby 14th November
Leicester City Centre 18th November
Ashby 19th November
Hinckley 20th November
Market Harborough 22nd November
Sapcote 27th November
Loughborough 27th November
Earl Shilton 27th November
Blaby 27th November
Sileby 27th November
Melton 27th November
Lutterworth 27th November
Bell Street, Wigston Magna 28th November
Coalville 28th November
Barwell 28th November
Barlestone 28th November
Groby 29th November
Mountsorrel 29th November
Croft 5th December
Great Glen 5th December
South Wigston 5th December
Santa Trains
Great Central Railway Santa Express
28 November – 24 December
A heritage steam train transformed with twinkling lights, departing from Loughborough. Children meet Santa and his elves on board, with a gift delivered by the man himself.
The Magical Santa Express at Statfold Country Park
27th November – 23rd December
A Christmas experience designed to feel truly special. Write a letter to Santa, make reindeer food, and board a festively lit steam train for a magical journey.
Santa Specials at The Battlefield Line Selected dates, 29th November – 24th December
A 90-minute festive journey aboard a beautifully decorated heritage train from Shackerstone, with three package tiers to suit every budget.
Abbey Park Miniature Railway Santa Special Sun 13th December
Hop aboard the miniature railway right in Abbey Park for a train ride to visit Santa!
Hermitage Miniature Railway Santa Special Sun 13th & Sun 20th December
Winter Wonderland Experiences
Winter Wonderland at Conkers
28th November – 24th December
Explore 120 acres of woodland, ride Santa’s Conkerchoo Train, and follow the Valley of Lights to meet Santa in his Grotto. Plenty more festive extras to discover too!
Winter Wonderland at Tropical Birdland
5th & 6th, 11th-13th, 18th-20th, 22nd & 23rd December
Festive decorations, sparkling lights and seasonal cheer for the whole family. Grab a lantern and take a magical stroll down to Santa’s Grotto, visiting his fairy friends along the way.
Christmas Wonderland at NSC Arena, Loughborough
11th and 12th December
Twinlakes Winter Wonderland
28th November – 24th December
Thousands of twinkly lights, real Christmas trees, and Santa in his grotto every day. Meet Rudy the reindeer, decorate gingerbread, and enjoy festive workshops throughout.
Christmas Markets and Fayres
Leicester Christmas Market 12th November – 27th December
Cosby Yarn Bomb’s Festive Craft & Gift Fair, Cosby 15th November
Grace Dieu Manor Park, Thringstone 15th November
Tin Hat Fair, Hinckley 20th-21st November
Bosworth Battlefield Christmas Fair 21st November
Wymondham Windmill Christmas Market 21st November
Foxton Locks Inn Christmas Fair 27th November
Desford Christmas Tree Festival and Market 27th November
Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair 27-29th November
Mountsorrel Christmas Fayre 29th November
Love Loughborough Festive Fair 29th November
Leicester Cathedral Christmas Market 5th December
Clarendon Park Christmas Fair 6th December
Buttercups, Billesdon 6th December
Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Grace Road 12th and 13th December 10.30am-3pm, free entry, free parking
Festive Farm Parks
(some are a bit further away, depending where in Leicestershire you live)
Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel
5th, 6th 19th and 20th December
Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer at the farm plus enjoy all the usual farm park activities!
Windmill Farm Park, Kibworth Harcourt
29 November-24 December
Farm 21st November – 23rd December (selected dates)
A fully immersive walk-through experience – write a letter to Santa, make reindeer food, and enjoy a special group visit with the big man himself.
The Christmas Experience at West Lodge Farm Park, Desborough
28th November – 24th December
A treasured tradition for many families – a festive journey through the North Pole, Elf School, and a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto.
Manor Farm Park & Woodlands, East Leake
29 November-31 December
Santa at Soft Play Centres and Role Play Villages
Petite Street, Oadby
Friday 18th December, 9.30-11am and 11.30am-1pm
– A special 1-to-1 visit with Santa
– A gift for every child
– Photo opportunities
– A festive sing-along
– 90 minutes of imaginative role play
360 Play, Meridian Leisure Park
13th December
Noah’s Ark Soft Play, Shepshed
Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December
Breakfast and Afternoon Tea with Santa
Breakfast with Santa at Statfold Country Park
12th, 13th, 19th-23rd Dec
A magical morning at Statfold’s vintage fairground, with delicious food, festive cheer and a visit from Santa himself.
Afternoon Tea at The Singing Bowl, Hinckley
5th December
Breakfast with Santa at The Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club
12th December
Breakfast with Santa at Rebound, Ashby
5th, 12th and 19th December
Breakfast with Santa at Clara’s Cafe and Tearooms, Anstey
13th December
Breakfast with Santa at Ferneley’s
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December
Breakfast or Dinner with Santa at Gates, Hinckley
Various dates
Breakfast with Santa at The Dog & Gun, Kilby
5th, 12th and 19th December
Little Elves Breakfast with Santa, Cattows Farm
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th December
Other places to find Santa…
Santa’s Spaceport Experience at The National Space Centre
28th-29th November, 5th-6th, 12th-13th and 19th-20th December
Buttercups Tearoom, Billesdon
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December
Bradgate Park
5th, 6th, 12th and 13th December
Santa’s Grotto in Marlborough Square, Coalville
28th November
Belvoir Castle
14th November – 30th December
Volpo Lounge, Fosse Park
6th December
Storytime with Santa at Wymondham Windmill
19th-24th December
Where to find the Grinch!
Breakfast with the Grinch at Midlands Roller Arena
13th December
Christmas Tractor Runs
Charnwood Young Farmers
Saturday 5th December from 4pm
Route includes: Markfield, Ratby, Groby, Newtown Linford, Anstey, Cropston, Rothley, Mountsorrel, Quorn, Woodhouse Eaves, Nanpantan and Shepshed.
Sheepy Charity Christmas Tractor Run
11th and 12th December – different routes!
Farmers Tractor Run
Friday 18th December
Route includes: Barrow Upon Soar, East Leake and surrounding villages, finishing at The Greyhound in Burton on the Wolds
Hopkins Brothers Charity Tractor Run
Saturday 19th December from 4pm
Kirkby Mallory, Earl Shilton, Barwell, Hinckley, Higham on the Hill, Stoke Golding, Darlington, Market Bosworth, Newbold Verdon and Desford
L&R Festive Tractor Run: South Leicestershire
Sunday 20th December
More details TBC
Charity Fun Run’s
Mental Elf Festive Fun Run, Victoria Park
29th November
A fun-filled family event raising vital funds and awareness for mental health across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Loughborough Santa Run
Sunday 6th December
Hop, skip, dance or dash your way around a closed-road 2.5km or 5km route through Loughborough, in aid of Rainbows Hospice. New this year: a Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Market.
Freddie’s Festive Fun Run, Hastings High School, Burbage
Sunday 6th December
A 1K (wheelchair friendly) or 5K walk, jog or run for all ages and abilities, in aid of The Bodie Hodges Foundation. Fancy dress encouraged!
Ashby Santa Fun Run & Walk
Sunday 6th December
Celebrating its 12th year, this festive fun run and walk returns to the Bath Grounds in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, raising money for local charities.
Coalville Santa Run & Walk
Sunday 13th December
Celebrating its 6th year, with a fantastic day of festive fun, laughter and community spirit. This year in support of Glenfield Breast Care and the Leicester Oncology Department.
Light Trails
Lantern’s of the Wild at Twycross Zoo Open until 21st February 2027
Amazing experience! Read my review on this event here
Other Events
Drive in Cinema at Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Grace Road Elf and Love Actually
3rd, 4th and 5th December
Christmas at the Cathedral, Leicester Cathedral
8th December
Festive Drive-through cinema, Sunnyside Garden Centre, Ibstock Elf, The Grinch, Home Alone and Home Alone 2
18th and 19th December
Gingerbread Pop-up Panto, Highcross Shopping Centre
21st & 28th November, 5th, 12th, 19th and 23rd December
Pantos
Have their own article, click here for more!
….and if I’ve missed something, I’d love to hear from you! Email Alex at leicester@raring2go.co.uk
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas, full of magical moments, happy memories and a little bit of festive mischief! 🎄 x
