Join us over the August Bank Holiday weekend for the grand finale to Summer in the City, an outdoor spectacle on an epic scale!
Download the City Festival Trail Map here
As well as a full weekend of live entertainment, street theatre, dance art, music and sport the pinnacle of the two days will be the journey of STORM – a folklore giant made real. Towering 10-metres tall, this goddess of the seas is the largest puppet in the UK and we are delighted that her arrival to this year’s City Festival will mark her first appearance in England.
Programme of events:
Saturday 27 August 12noon – 5pm
STORM
Saturday’s starting point at 12noon is Town Hall Square. Storm will be joined by flash mob style performances along her route followed by the sizzling samba rhythms of Leicester’s Sambando at the Clock Tower and 2.30pm. Studio 79’s explosive performance mark the end of Storm’s journey on Jubilee Square 3.55pm. Trail map to follow shortly.
Jubilee Square
Peace of Green CIC
Family friendly arts and craft activities with an environmental theme
The Bees 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
An engaging installation of multi-sensory hives each hiding a unique, unexpected interior world.
Plankton by Enter Edem
Explore the micro-beauty of the oceans with interactive puppetry workshops, bringing the story of this unseen world to life.
Focus Free, art activities & games design your own communal banner, make a green pledge and join in with family games.
Humberstone Gate
The Whale 11am – 1.30pm & 2.30pm – 5pm
Step inside a giant silver whale to experience a fun, immersive mini show for intrepid sailors of all ages. Prepare to dive! Relaxed, family-friendly & ramp accessible.
Ocho 12.30pm, 3pm & 4.30pm
A ground-breaking inflatable octopus. Watch as it curls and sways through the city streets.
Carts Lane
Red Leicester Choir, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Amongst the lanes hear one of Leicester’s own community choirs singing songs to greet Storm as she wonders through the winding cobbled streets.
Sunday 28 August 12noon – 4.30pm
STORM
Sunday’s starting point is The Circle (Mattioli Woods Building) at 12noon. Leicester Taiko, bring a flavour of Japanese drumming and the thunder of the drums and the clap of the bachi set the perfect scene to send Storm on her journey around Leicester. Nupur Arts leads STORM to the farewell finale with a parade of ocean friends, showcasing Indian Classical, Bollywood and Indian Folk dance performances at the Clock Tower 1.15pm. Trail map to follow shortly.
Clock Tower
Mayfly 12pm & 4pm
A spectacular fusion of water, dance and song. The stage will come to life with water effects and leaping fountains. Mayfly offer an Interactive Workshop after the first performance to learn more from those involved in the creation. Mayfly Touch Tour for those who have a visual impairment. To book onto a touch tour please contact festivals@leicester.gov.uk
High Street
The Bewonderment Machine 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
A miniature theatrical flight of the imagination, combining puppetry, machinery, hand carved wooden animal and music on a cycle-powered carousel. Whilst A Sweep of Swallows will paint the city skies with colour, movement, and the sweet sound of birdsong.
Town Hall Square, Green Dragon Square & Church Gate
Open Streets 1pm – 4pm
Cyclone Works’ crazy bikes, rickshaw rides, try out an adapted bike or grab a ride on a Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike. There will be guided walks and led rides, fix-it sessions from Dr Bike, an extreme mountain biking display.
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facebook.com/leicesterfestivals
See what other Leicester Festivals are taking place this summer in the 2022 What’s On Festival Guide