With a wide range of events and activities across Leicester, the early months of the New Year are the time for people to come together to enjoy all that this great city has to offer.
Our city this New Year period is full of celebration, culture, laughs and heritage. There is something for everyone as 2014 swings into gear. From the return of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, these events are not to be missed as Leicester opens up
Firstly, as some of us just begin to recover from one celebration, the city will be ready to say ‘Guenge Fa Cho’ for the start of Chinese New Year! This falls on the 31st of January and we celebrate the Year of the Horse. Also, get ready to have your collective funny bones tickled with the return of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival! Running from the 7th to the 23th of February, this city-wide tradition will feature returning favourites, big names and exciting new talent, guaranteed to give you a good laugh.
There are also a number of events and talks taking place in February and March concerning the life and times of Richard III in anticipation of the grand opening of the new visitors centre on the site of the old Grey friars Church. Try the Knights and Princesses event at the Guildhall on the 18th of February where you can get to meet a soldier in King Richard’s army!
Then, the city will be painted green as the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off! The Irish community in Leicester takes centre stage when a thanksgiving mass is held in Leicester Cathedral followed by a large parade through the city centre, featuring pipe bands, Irish dancing and even some furry Irish Wolfhounds!
Also in March there will be big celebrations to mark the traditional Hindu festival of Holi; this is the special event where the community gathers to celebrate the coming of spring by throwing coloured dye over each other.
Whatever you are interested in, Leicester certainly has it all going on in the early months of 2014!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
February 7th 1pm and 7.30pm – The Guildhall Great Expectations: Performed by Charles Dickens great great grandson Gerald Dickens
February 7th – February 23rd Dave s Leicester Comedy Festival City wide
February 18th 11am – 3.30pm – The Guildhall Knights and Princesses… and meet a King Richard lll Soldier!
March 16th St. Patrick s Day Parade City Centre
March 30th 2pm – The Guildhall Afternoon Talk with Mathew Morris (ULAS): Richard lll excavation
