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Plan your family weekend
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026 – Everyone is welcome
Simple, low-cost fun across Leicester on 23 and 24 May Looking for a relaxed, affordable way to spend time together this weekend?
The Spark Festival offers free drop-ins, low-cost shows and flexible activities so you can build a day that suits you and your family.
SATURDAY 23 MAY
Drop in, explore and mix free or low-cost fun across Leicester
Start here: Curve
Family Community Day
10:30am-4pm | FREE | Drop-in
All ages
Creative, child-led play and activities you can dip in and out of.
Just turn up anytime
Add some energy
Les-tah to the Front (Curve)
11am & 2pm | from £10 (+ booking fee) –
There are a limited amount of infant tickets available for £2 – contact the Curve Box Office team to book.
Ages 0 – 7 years
A lively, interactive band celebrating Leicester-full of fun, music and energy.
Pop over to Phoenix
Paper Movies Workshop
12pm-4pm | FREE | Drop-in
Ages 6+
Create your own mini film and watch it come to life.
Drop in anytime at 4 Midland Street, Leicester, LE1 1TG – no booking
Also showing at Phoenix:
A Minecraft Movie
12pm & 2.30pm
Ages: PG certificate
A proper family cinema trip at a pocket‑money price – and chosen by children as a Spark favourite.
For younger children
Lilo Lost It
12pm & 2.30pm | Ages: 3-8 years
The BRITE Centre (Braunstone LE3 1LE) free parking
(£4 with library card)
A gentle show about identity and belonging, with a short workshop after.
Book online, in the library, call 0116 454 0280 or check availability on arrival
Drop In
Get creative at Pedestrian
Pedestrian – 29 Horse Street (ground floor)
11am – 3pm – FREE
All Ages
Design and create bold, beautiful letters for festival bunting – Just turn up anytime
Graffiti and DJ’ing workshops SOLD OUT
Free Activities
National Space Centre – Planet Parade
Discover Leicester like never before with Planet Parade – a free, family-friendly solar system trail where art, science and local creativity collide across the city centre.
30th Mar – 31st May 2026
Free family adventure
City-wide space trail
Created by local children and artists
Win amazing prizes
SUNDAY 24 MAY
Slower pace, creative play, easy choices
Morning sessions
Tiny Play, Open Play and Replay
Leicester Gallery
10-11am (0-12 months)
11am-12pm (0-4 years)
12.30-1.30pm (3-6 years)
Hands-on sensory and creative play for little ones.
Pay what you can (from £0-£10 per family)
Afternoon option
Sisters 360
Attenborough Arts Centre (free weekend parking)
2.30pm | Pay what you can (from £5)
Ages 8-12
A fun, uplifting story about sisters and skateboarding, followed by a Q&A.
Keep it simple
A Minecraft Movie
Phoenix
11.30am
Ages: PG certificate
Big screen, live-action adaptation of Minecraft (the best-selling video game of all time)
Free Activities
National Space Centre – Planet Parade
Discover Leicester like never before with Planet Parade – a free, family-friendly solar system trail where art, science and local creativity collide across the city centre.
30th Mar – 31st May 2026
Free family adventure
City-wide space trail
Created by local children and artists
Win amazing prizes
A WEEKEND THAT FITS AROUND YOU
Stay for an hour or make a full day of it. Everything is designed to feel easy, welcoming and good value.
Pick a starting point, drop in, and enjoy what works for your family.
We can’t wait to welcome you to play, discover and make memories at The Spark Festival 2026
Join in and tag us #SparkFest2026
@thesparkarts (Instagram) and @SparkArtsFestival (Facebook)
Have a lovely weekend.
