School holiday activities

The next school holiday will take place between Monday 20 and Friday 24 October 2025.

A listing of free and low cost family-friendly activities taking place in Leicester during the holiday will be available soon.

• Diwali river of lights celebration
  Bring your family, friends and enjoy the breath-taking River of Lights display, on the water paddle performance and a variety of family activities including bell boating, high ropes and crafts. Entrance is free but there is a charge for drinks. Paddle and high ropes activities will be available at a discounted rate, bookable on the night. There is no parking on site so please use public transport.
  • 5.30pm to 8pm at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre 
  • Booking required
  • Please note: No parking or drop off available
• Diwali: Festival of Lights
  Enjoy crafts and stories in the lead up to Diwali. Make a salt dough Diva lamp, create a traditional rangoli design and listen to the story of Rama and Sita and their victory over Ravaan.
  • 11am to 1pm at Belgrave Library
  • Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 
    
    

• Enchanted Diwali Tree
  Enchanted Diwali Tree tells the story of the enchanting Sanjivani (Bay Tree) that Hanuman flies across the seas to revive the unconscious Lakshaman, all enacted in a Rama Sita love story setting. Supported by the Ethnic Inclusion Foundation and performed by children.
  • 3pm to 5pm at Peepul Centre
  • Tickets: Uner 15s free; Adults £5
  • Booking required

• Meet the Police
  Explore the history of Leicester's first police headquarters, try out our Victorian prison cells, meet the local PCSO's, play dress up and enjoy solving our mystery trail around the museum
  
  • Drop in between 12noon to 3pm at Leicester Guildhall
• Stay and play
  
  • 10am to 11.30am at St Matthews CYPFC
  • 1pm to 2.30pm at Saffron CYPFC
  • 1.15pm to 2.45pm at Thurnby Lodge CYPFC
  • 1.30pm to 3pm at Woodbridge CYPFC

• Clay crafting sessions
  Drop in at Leicester Cathedral and make autumnal clay hanging decorations.  Session times:
  • 10am and 12noon
  • 2pm to 4pm 
  • All children must be accompanied by an adult
• Festival of lights graffiti sessions
  A two-day event of creative graffiti inspired by the festival of lights
  • 10am to 1pm at Pedestrian
  • Ages: 8 to 16
  • Booking required
• Railway day
  Come and enjoy a ride on the diesel driven narrow gauge railway this half term!
  • 11.30am to 4pm at Abbey Pumping Station
  • Train rides 50p each; under 3's free
• Stay and play
  • 10am to 11.30am at Bewcastle CYPFC

• Creative paper architecture workshop
  
  • 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm at Leicester Cathedral
  • Ages 12+
  • All children must be accompanied by an adult
• Family Learning Festival
  Join Leicester Adult Education to take part in free activities and discover just how powerful storytelling can be.
  • Drop in between 10am and 2pm at Highcross Leicester
• Festival of lights graffiti sessions
  A two-day event of creative graffiti inspired by the festival of lights
  • 10am to 1pm at Pedestrian
  • Ages: 8 to 16
  • Booking required
• Forest School
  • 10am to 12noon at New Parks CYPFC
• Stay and play
  • 1pm to 2.30pm at Beaumont Leys CYPFC

• Clay crafting sessions
  Drop in at Leicester Cathedral between: 
  • 10am and 12noon; or 
  • 2pm to 4pm 
  • All children must be accompanied by an adult
• Family Learning Festival
  • Drop in between 10am and 2pm at Highcross Leicester
• Make a scrapbook
  Design your own scrapbook from scratch to hold memories of your holidays, family or just your favourite things.   Theme inspired by artist Mary Linwood. 
  • Drop in between 11am to 3pm at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
• Stay and play
  • 9.30am to 11am at Netherhall CYPFC
  • 10am to 12noon at New Parks CYPFC
  • 1pm to 2.30pm at:
    • Beaumont Leys CYPFC
    • Highfields CYPFC
  • 1.30pm to 3pm at Belgrave CYPFC
• Wands and broomsticks
  Bring your little witches and wizards for a magical day at the Guildhall. Make a mini witch or wizard, a magical window picture and broomstick sign for your bedroom door. Follow the wand and broomstick trail around the museum. Dressing up welcome.
  • 11am to 3pm at Leicester Guildhall
  • £4 advance online for participating children, £5 on the door,
  • Adults free.

• Stay and play
  • 10am to 11.30am at Eyres Monsell CYPFC
  • 10am to 12noon at Braunstone CYPFC

• Bike Fest
  Take part in the final Bike Fest of the year, and experience the thrill of cycling on a traffic-free circuit at the Leicester Cycle Circuit. An event brought to you by Ride Leicester and British Cycling.
  • 1pm to 4pm at Leicester Cycle Circuit
• Black history month community day
  • 12pm to 4pm at The Curve
  • Booking your free ticket

• Let's Ride - Haunting histories guided ride
  Prepare yourself for an eerie adventure as Hidden Histories’ own Jim Butler brings to life the ghostly tales lurking around Leicester’s most haunted spots. With at least six mysterious stops along the route, you’ll hear gripping stories of restless spirits, chilling encounters, and haunted history that will send shivers down your spine. 
  • Meet at 10.30am - Booking required

• "And Breathe..." A sound and light interactive event at Leicester Cathedral 
• Leicester Museum and Galleries family-friendly exhibitions
• King Richard III daily activities
• Active Leicester - Leisure centre activities
• Free adventure playground sessions
• Playschemes
• Mychoice - search for other activities, clubs and childcare in Leicester
• What's on in Leicester
• Go Leicestershire

This summary is for information only and is correct at the time of publishing. View the webpage links or contact the individual providers directly to find out if the activities are suitable for your child or family needs. Children must be supervised by a parent / guardian at all times. 

Activities are free to attend unless stated; however, fees may apply for additional activities or services available at the event.