Festivals & Music

Home to Kasabian and the Leicester Symphony Orchestra, Leicester’s got all musical bases covered. With the O2 Academy and De Montfort Hall attracting top names, and venues like The Soundhouse and Firebug showcasing up-and-coming local talent, Leicester’s live music scene has never been more vibrant. Don’t miss the celebration of independent music at Handmade Festival or the family-friendly summer festival with live music stage, Riverside Festival.

If that doesn’t float your boat, look out for live music in the medieval Guildhall, reggae and soca at the Caribbean Carnival, and the soothing sounds of classical music at the Leicester International Music Festival.

And if it’s festival fun you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. From our famous Comedy Festival to the biggest Diwali party outside India, Leicester’s festival programme has got something for everyone.

Featured Accommodation

Leicester Comedy Festival

Touted as "one of the best comedy festivals in the world" by The Guardian, Leicester Comedy festival has a long tradition of bringing some of the country’s biggest TV names along with the most innovative emerging comedy talent to Leicester.
1. 6 Feb 201924 Feb 2019
2. 1 Jan 000131 Dec 9999
KT Tunstall

Following 3 sold out intimate rock club shows this September, Brit and Ivor Novello Award winning singer and songwriter KT Tunstall, who is about to release her 6th studio album, WAX, announces a full UK & Ireland tour for March 2019
1. 22 Mar 2019
February Highlights
Phew and hooray…the long and enduring month of January is finally over - roll on February!

1 Feb 2019
Mods: Shaping a Generation

Mods: Shaping a Generation tells the story of the 1960’s Mod scene in Leicester and Nottingham and how they were connected, concentrating on the themes of social, financial and creative freedom via exclusive first-hand eye witness accounts and unpublished images.
1. 13 Apr 201930 Jun 2019
BBC Big Band Featuring Claire Martin

Multi award-winning jazz vocalist and radio presenter, Claire Martin OBE, joins the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band for a unique celebration of the legendary leading ladies of the Big Band, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and their contemporaries
1. 28 Feb 2019
Events Calendar
LDIF19 Launch

In the historic and reflective setting of Leicester Cathedral, Let's Dance International Frontiers 2019 will launch with an exciting new commission by Haitian choreographer Jeanguy Saintus and his company Ayikodans.
1. 29 Apr 2019
Billy Ocean

British soul icon Billy Ocean will perform the best of his greatest hits and favourite tracks.
1. 11 Mar 2019