Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Leicestershire & Rutland
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Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee
12th July-9th November 2025
Venue: Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Celebrating over 35 years of Elmer the patchwork elephant and his unforgettable friends, this free family friendly exhibition brings to life McKee’s iconic stories through immersive, multi sensory displays...
Kumon Free Assessment
16th September-31st October 2025
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.kumon.co.uk
Now is the perfect time for your family to discover the benefits of Kumon at one of its Study Centres, which are now offering Free Registration to new and returning students from 16th September to 31st...
Pumpkin Village
1st-31st October 2025
Venue: National Forest Adventure Farm
Website: www.adventurefarm.co.uk
Visit the Pumpkin Village and Fields, with fantastic photo opportunities, live entertainment, and roaming characters. Enjoy a variety of delicious food and drink stalls on site. Please note, pumpkins are...
Biking Buddies Courses
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: B-Buddies cic
Website: www.b-buddies.com/biking-buddies-courses
Biking Buddies courses have a maximum of 12 riders age 4-13 years and each session is full of games and activities as well as some individual attention. Riders leave the learn to ride sessions with great confidence,...
CycleSkills Clubs
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: B-Buddies cic
Website: www.b-buddies.com/cycleskills-clubs
Fun, recreational cycling clubs for riders who are wanting to improve their cycling ability, learn new skills and try a bit of off-road cycling in an engaging and exciting environment. No racing, nothing...
Family Forest Trail
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Hicks Lodge
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/hicks-lodge
This trail takes you into the young woodland around Hicks Lodge, there are stops along the way for you to relax and enjoy the views. The Zig-Zags take you down on to the long loop, or head back to the...
Family Gallery Workshops
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre
Website: https://attenborougharts.com/whats-on/family-gallery-workshops-5
Explore the exhibitions with the friendly learning team and use resources in the Salmon Gallery to explore through a range of creative workshops. Each week brings something new inspired by their gallery...
Go Kids Go Leicester
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Unit 2, Raw Dykes Road
Website: www.gokidsgo.co.uk
Go Kids Go have a range of interactive games and activities such as Lazer arena , Climbing trees, Go Karts, Three tier play frame, Ninja Obsticle course, Bouncy castle and book your party with Go Kids...
Home Education Activity Sessions
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk/education/home-education
Every Wednesday morning, 9.30-10.30am, enjoy activities specifically for Home Educated Children. Children can be as young as 5 years, but the activities are suitable for any age. These activity sessions...
Huncote Hound Club
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Leicester Animal Aid
Website: www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk
The Huncote Hound Club is for animal lovers aged 5-16. Members receive their own special newsletter four times a year. Members also attend activity mornings at the Centre, getting up to all sorts of fun...
Lutterworth Country Park junior parkrun
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Lutterworth Country Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/lutterworthcountrypark-juniors
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in whatever your pace! Free to join but register before you first go along.
Market Harborough Junior Parkrun
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Welland Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/marketharborough-junior
A free, fun and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) every Sunday at 9am. Free but register before you first go along.
Matilda the Musical
6th-25th October 2025
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Matthew Warchus, MATILDA is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares...
The Bosworth Discovery Zone and Family Fun
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park
Website: www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk
Family friendly guided walks, trails, the exhibition (with activities for children), the 1485 Tithe Barn cafe and the Bosworth Discovery Zone, a FREE space for families with young children. Open Thursday...
The Stick Man trail at Hicks Lodge
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Hicks Lodge
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/hicks-lodge/the-stick-man-trail-hicks-lodge
Have some forest fun this summer, as young adventurers follow the Stick Man activity trail at Hicks Lodge. Discover colourful activity panels, hands-on experiences building with sticks and learning about...
Time for Walkies
6th October-24th November 2025
Venue: Hicks Lodge
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/hicks-lodge
Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies. This interactive dog-focused trail features a variety of games and challenges for you and your happy hound to complete. Follow the route using the...
CQ Earlies
11th October-8th November 2025
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
Join Nupur Arts for a special Diwali edition of CQ Earlies! Make your very own Diwali lamp (diya) out of clay and decorate it with dazzling gems and sequins. Learn about the collection of festive objects...
Diwali and the Festival of Light
18th October 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre kick off the season on Saturday 18 October with Diwali and the Festival of Light by the Water, created in partnership with the Canals and River Trust. Expect a magical...
Halloween Trail
18th October-2nd November 2025
Venue: Belvoir Castle
Website: www.belvoircastle.com
Wander through the historic castle grounds and enjoy the spooky playground trail, themed with bats, ghosts, and hidden surprises in the gardens. Perfect for children and families looking for safe and fun...
I've Lost my Bobble Hat! A new Nick Cope family show 2025
18th October 2025
Venue: The Y Theatre
Website: https://ytheatre.co.uk
Help Nick find his beloved bobble hat in this fun filled musical hour with all your favourite Nick Cope hits and more.Nick’s live performances are legendary. If you haven’t heard his songs or seen...
Monster Masks Hunt
18th-26th October 2025
Venue: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park
Website: www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk
Halloween is upon us and the monsters are getting ready for their annual masquerade ball. Search the site for ten spooky friends, and design your own mask for the party as you go. £2 per sheet, pick one...
Top Secret: The Magic of Science
19th October 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
Experience non-stop action-packed interactive magical science experiments that will capture the imagination. Top Secret is fun and entertaining for the whole family to enjoy along with inspiring and educating...
Children's Holiday Activity Club
20th-24th October 2025
Venue: Beaumanor Hall
Website: www.beaumanorhall.co.uk
From archery to high ropes, this Holiday Activities Club has a range of exciting activities on offer for youngsters aged 7-14 years to get out and explore the outdoors. Pre booking required via Eventbrite....
Kids Disco
20th October 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
The MMC Cafe disco is back! Join DJ shelly for a Halloween disco! Dress to impress and come and throw us your best shapes! Book your tickets in advance. 1-2.30pm. Tickets £3.
PumpkinFest 2025
20th-31st October 2025
Venue: Manor Farm Park and Woodlands
Website: www.manorfarm.info/events/view/pumpkinfest-2025
Enter the pumpkin carving championships for a chance to win a spellbinding prize, or guess how many pumpkins were grown this year for another chance to win. Take aim with their Pumpkin Cannon and join...
Annie
21st-25th October 2025
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall
Website: www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk
This beloved family favourite musical returns to Loughborough Town Hall with hits that include “Tomorrow”, “It’s The Hard Knock Life” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Suitable...
Half Term Railway Day
21st October 2025
Venue: Abbey Pumping Station
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Enjoy a ride on Peter the Narrow-Gauge Railway this half-term. There is a small charge for train rides (50p per person), and children under 3 years can travel for free. You can pay for your ride at the...
White Witch Workshops: Crafts, Cauldrons and Costumes
21st October 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
Join the White Witch and her friends for some Halloween crafts and stories in this ancient manor.You will have the chance to create a beautiful flower arrangement inside a pumpkin and a traditional Rowan...
Beetlespoof!
22nd October 2025
Venue: MMC Venue
Website: www.mmcvenue.co.uk
Magical illusions, pop songs and things that go bump in the night all form the essential ingredients of this bewitching plot sure to delight youngsters and adults alike. A ghoulishly spooktacular parody...
Peut-Être Theatre presents The Sleep Show
22nd October 2025
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre
Website: www.attenborougharts.com
A heartfelt and poetic exploration of sleep and secrets of the body clock come to life through dance.Created for children aged 4+ and their grown-ups, it’s a dance-theatre adventure that transforms bedtime...
Play in a Day
22nd October 2025
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: www.centurytheatre.co.uk
This workshop is designed for 8 to 13 year olds to give them an opportunity to develop a broad range of skills through the vehicle of devised drama. The group will create a short play from a stimulus linked...
Children’s Halloween Crafts
23rd October 2025
Venue: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park
Website: www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk
Join Bosworth Battlefield for some frightfully fun Halloween crafts! Make your own monster mask, craft a scary pom-pom spider and build a pipe cleaner skeleton! There are two sessions running: 11am –...
Make a Scrapbook Family Event
23rd October 2025
Venue: Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Design your scrapbook to hold memories of your holidays, your family, or just your favourite things. This free session is aimed at the whole family, very young children are welcome, but will need to be...
Monster Mayhem Hunt
23rd-26th October 2025
Venue: 1620s House and Garden
Website: www.1620shouse.org.uk
The Creepy Creature Committee are gathering for their annual Halloween party.The beasties would like to take a selfie to remember the event, can you help round up the rest of these mischievous monsters...
Halloween Silent Disco
24th October 2025
Venue: Leicester Guldhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Enjoy dancing to some Halloween favourites in the supposedly Haunted Guildhall! Complete the spooky Halloween trail around the museum and get creative at the mini Halloween craft table. Halloween Fancy...
Jack and the Beanstalk
24th October 2025
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: www.centurytheatre.co.uk
In this adaptation, the classic fairytale gets the Lyngo treatment. Audiences can expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack, who sells...
Autumn Artisan Fair
25th-26th October 2025
Venue: Beaumanor Hall
Website: www.beaumanorhall.co.uk
Explore the fabulous array of stallholders where you can find one-of-a-kind items and locally made products.Warming hot chocolates and tasty treats will be available throughout the day and little ones...
Halloween Spooktacular!
25th October-1st November 2025
Venue: Statfold Country Park
Website: https://statfold.com/halloweenspooktacular
Perfect for families with younger children, with silly surprises, giggles around every corner and lots of memory-making for a great day out… and yes, costumes are encouraged! Plus pick your perfect pumpkin...
Spookathon
25th October 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk
Visit for a spooky Halloween hunt across 25 acres of grounds, before climbing aboard a bellboat ride back to the wood-fired pizza truck. Gather round the fire with the witches and enjoy warming treats...
Pumpkin Carving
26th October 2025
Venue: Century Theatre
Website: www.centurytheatre.co.uk
Perfect for families and all ages, you’ll have the chance to design and carve your very own spooky (or silly!) pumpkin, ready to take home and display for Halloween. £10 per pumpkin, Pre-bookable only.Spaces...
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
26th October 2025
Venue: Leicester Guldhall
Website: www.leicestermuseums.org
Experience a delightful mix of comedy and thrills in this unique adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s enchanting story, crafted specifically for children and families. This engaging one-man show promises plenty...
Fun for Little Ones
28th October 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Bringing 'Ms Rachels' character to life in a fun, interactive live on stage performance with lots of audience participation for little ones. With over 5 Billion Views and over 8 million subscribers on...
The Dinosaur That Pooped
29th October 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Adapted from the number 1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand, new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie,...
FREE Online Halloween Drawing Workshop
31st October 2025
Venue: Online
Website: https://royaldrawingschool.org
Join the Royal Drawing School this Halloween for a two-hour live online drawing session. Artist Elizabeth McCarten guides 10–18 year-olds in drawing skulls, symbolism and atmosphere to create hauntingly...
Abbey Park Firework Display - Spooks and Sparks
1st November 2025
Venue: Abbey Park
Website: https://visitleicester.info/festival/fireworks
Experience a Halloween-themed, spooky night with fireworks, thrills, chills, live stage music and performances throughout the event. With two dazzling firework displays, live entertainment and a night...
Leicester Racecourse Fireworks Festival 2025
1st November 2025
Venue: Leicester Racecourse
Website: www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk/fireworks
The VAL Fireworks Festival is coming to Leicester Racecourse – with a spectacular evening of family fun, live entertainment, and award-winning fireworks displays synchronised to music.Funfair: Thrills...
Guiding Lights
3rd-7th November 2025
Venue: National Memorial Arboretum
Website: www.thenma.org.uk/what's-on/events/guiding-lights
Inspired by the story Arbie and the Magical Lights, students will explore the symbolic role of light in acts of remembrance.Every day for two weeks NMA will welcome a different learning group to the Arboretum...
Harborough Showground Fireworks Spectacular
4th November 2025
Venue: Harborough Showground
Website: www.harboroughfireworks.co.uk
Watch the night sky light up with an array of colors and patterns that promises to be a visual treat! Includes classic rides, thrilling attractions, and fun-filled activities. Whether you're a thrill-seeker...
Bonfire Night
7th November 2025
Venue: Belvoir Castle
Website: www.belvoircastle.com
Belvoir Castle are lighting up the skies from a new location in Ladies Field, allowing more space to enjoy the show. Prepare to be wowed by a larger-scale firework display from the award-winning MLE Pyrotechnics,...
Cirque: The Greatest Show - Reimagined
8th November 2025
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Cirque explodes into 2025 with a brand-new show – bolder, braver and more breath-taking than ever before! Get ready for a dazzling fusion of musical theatre and jaw-dropping circus acts, taking the original...
Miss Americana - A Tribute to Taylor Swift
14th November 2025
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Step into the world of Taylor Swift in this electrifying show featuring the incredible Xenna. A celebration of the iconic pop sensation's music, style, and unrivalled stage presence. Xenna embodies every...
Shakespeare Schools Festival
17th November 2025
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
Join Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation this November for an exhilarating evening of live theatre, featuring a series of unique abridged Shakespeare productions by local schools. See Shakespeare’s...
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical
18th-22nd November 2025
Venue: The Little Theatre
Website: www.thelittletheatre.co.uk
The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! KPAOS is back this November with ‘Hairspray!’ Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with...
Cinderella
21st November-11th January 2026
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Don't miss this year's hilarious, fun-filled, family pantomime Cinderella starring Lichfield Pantomime favourite San Rabone! With hilarious comedy, beautiful sets and costumes, and a magical cast, Cinderella...
Discovery Morning
21st November 2025
Venue: Leicester High School for Girls
Website: www.leicesterhigh.co.uk
The event offers the chance to experience the School’s friendly community and ambitious teaching first-hand. From pre-school to sixth form, every girl is known, valued, and inspired to achieve her best....
Cinderella
22nd November-4th January 2026
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall
Website: www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk
Featuring sparkling sets, fabulous frocks, side splitting slapstick and not one, but two outrageous dames, this is an unmissable treat for the whole family. The clock is ticking so grab your tickets to...
Film Club - Toy Story
22nd November 2025
Venue: National Space Centre
Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk
This cinema-style screening offers families the rare chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy Woody, Buzz and the gang on the big screen in a truly out-of-this-world setting.To infinity… and beyond!
MC Grammar: Books, Beats and Barz
22nd November 2025
Venue: The Y Theatre
Website: https://ytheatre.co.uk
Get ready for book bangers, epic rhymes and non-stop vibes! It’s the ultimate family party – so grab your caps, shades and chains and get ready to read, rap and rock the stage. Don’t miss this lyrical...
James B Partridge - The Big Christmas Assembly 2025
28th November 2025
Venue: De Montfort Hall
Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
This Christmas, James brings his beloved show to Leicester, inviting audiences to relive the heartwarming magic of a classic Christmas assembly.Fans rave about James’s ability to create a sense of community...
Aliens Love Panta Claus
2nd December-4th January 2026
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
This Christmas at Curve join a super-charged rabble of aliens and Santa Claus, as they spread festive knicker cheer across Curve, in the brand-new stage show of Claire Freedman and Ben Cort‘s picture...
The Sound of Music Theatre Day
4th December 2025
Venue: Curve Theatre
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk
Through fantastic demonstrations and discussions with team members, gain exclusive insights into the rehearsal and technical process of the production. Discover how the actors, creatives and production...
Dick Whittington
12th December-4th January 2026
Venue: The Little Theatre
Website: www.thelittletheatre.co.uk
Get ready for a spellbinding adventure filled with laughter, mischief, and a sprinkle of magic as The Little Theatre present the dazzling tale of Dick Whittington! This is a festive spectacle bursting...
Christmas Extravaganza
13th December 2025
Venue: Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre
Website: www.lopc.co.uk
Santa’s Grotto will be open so go along, meet Santa, and collect an early Christmas present! Plus don’t miss the much-loved Santa Paddle on 21 December, with carols, festive treats, and a merry paddle...