The List

The Guildhall

What's On @ The Guildhall

Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA

Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA

10 Apr 2026 - 14 Nov 2026

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and ABBA. Programme: - Dancing Queen - SOS - Money, Money, Money - Bohemian Rhapsody - I Want to Break Free - Waterloo - Super Trouper - Mamma Mia - Don't Stop Me Now - We Will Rock You - We Are the Champions Performers String Quartet - Kavolini.
Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience. Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone. Performers String Quartet - Chaos Collective
Dorian Gray - Don't Go into the Cellar
Oscar Wilde's only novel is adapted for the stage in this atmospheric one-man show. What awful secret is stored inside the attic? Only the eternally youthful and charming Dorian Gray knows. But as his appetite for sin leads to ever greater acts of wickedness, Gray will stop at nothing to make sure no one discovers the dreadful truth! Jonathan Goodwin plays Oscar Wilde in this thrilling one-man performance adapted by himself from the Wilde novel.
Candlelight: Hans Zimmer's Best Works
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose. Buy your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer under the gentle glow of candlelight.
The Buildings Archaeologist - Dr James Wright
Discovering the Secrets of Britain’s Ancient Buildings. Visit any settlement in the land and there will be ancient buildings hidden in plain sight. Behind a Victorian façade is a Tudor house. Underneath a Georgian frontage is a mediaeval cottage. What is now a modern farm may once have been a castle. We know relatively little about the ancient buildings that surround us, yet buildings archaeology can offer us so many clues for discovering the secrets of hidden historic houses. This talk looks at the ways in which ancient buildings have been studied and conserved, the puzzling ways that some buildings became listed whereas others were overlooked, and how we can really understand the age and development of a structure. James will use case studies drawn from his career to explain the fascinating, enigmatic, and surprising world of The Buildings Archaeologist. : The speaker, James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has over a quarter of a century professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the past. He is the author of Historic Building Mythbusting (The History Press, 2024) and The Buildings Archaeologist (The History Press, 2026).
Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran

Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran

11 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before in Durham. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Ed Sheeran under the gentle glow of candlelight. Performers: String Quartet - Aurora Strings
The Archaeology of Tudor and Stuart Leicestershire and Rutland
A series of 6 lectures on the archaeology of Tudor and Stuart Leicestershire and Rutland by Peter Liddle – former County Archaeologist for Leicestershire - on Thursdays from 2 – 4pm at Leicester’s historic Guildhall. This is a period that takes society from the end of the medieval period to the eve of the industrial revolution. Prior booking is useful but not essential. Attend the whole course or come to individual lectures. April 16th: Reformation and Dissolution April 23rd: Civil War and Dissent April 30th: Big houses and gardens May 7th: Villages and fields May 14th: Leicester and the market towns May 21st: Industry, trade and communications Refreshments available
Believe not Every Spirit: An Introduction to Victorian Spiritualism
The age of the Victorians was one of industrialisation, secularisation and scientific development. It was also the birthplace of Modern Spiritualism, a new religion and belief system that brought the heavens into living rooms and reunited the living with the dead. As Darwin spoke of evolution and Queen Victoria bathed in grief, mediums delivered messages from the deceased, comforted the bereaved and offered proof of life beyond death. Yet beneath the comforting messages of reconciliation and immortality, was a strange subculture of curious claims and bizarre phenomena. Some mediums commanded spirits to manifest live animals from thin air, began fearsome rivalries and allowed ghosts to walk among the living. Throughout the 19th century, there are accounts of mediums levitating across cities, filling rooms with heavenly flowers, dumping eels on the heads of sitters and even sharing biscuits with spirits. Dr Kate Cherrell delivers a fascinating and enlightening talk about the history of a much misunderstood movement, including its biggest names, biggest claims, and even bigger critics.
Leicester's True Crime Tales

Leicester's True Crime Tales

19 Sept 2026 - 19 Sept 2026

Join crime historian Adam Wood for an evening of local true crime tales, when he reveals some of the darkest stories from Leicester’s Victorian past. Cases include the man stabbed to death after arguing with five Italian organ grinders, the argument between two local quarrymen which ended with a pickaxe being buried in the skull of one, and the man who resolved his long-running feud with his father - by smashing him on the head with a hammer. That’s not to mention the young man who told anyone who would listen that alcohol was the path to ruin - but not before he had had a skinful himself, and almost decapitated his sweetheart and thrown her body in a ditch.
As You Like It - The Handlebards

As You Like It - The Handlebards

29 Aug 2026 - 29 Aug 2026

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join the troupe at Leicester Guildhall for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.
The Trial of Francois Soulés - a re-enactment
Tthe Guildhall will be hosting a reenactment of the trial of Francois Soulés, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of John Fenton, the son of the landlady, at The Green Dragon Inn in Market Place, Leicester. The unique aspect of this trial is that Francois Soulés was both detained and tried in the Guildhall itself, and the trial will take place on the 248th anniversary of the fatal shooting. A jury will be randomly selected from the audience. After hearing all the original evidence, our contemporary jury will be posed with the exact three questions asked in the original trial to determine the guilt or innocence of Francois Soules. On May 16th, 1778, a Frenchman named Francois Soulés fatally shot John Fenton, after an altercation with his brother, James Fenton. Soulés was convicted and subsequently sentenced to death. However, in turn of events, the Frenchman was surprisingly granted clemency by King George III. This occurred during the tumultuous era of the French Revolution, where political tensions were elevated not only in England, but also throughout Europe, leading to widespread outcry over the pardon. John Fenton was buried in St Martin's Church Yard, now Leicester Cathedral, near the South Door. John Fenton's Stone Monument contained a powerful message about the injustice surrounding Soulés and his royal pardon. After complaints about the wording on the stone, it was removed. After years of being hidden away, the head stone has finally been unveiled and is now displayed in the Leicester Cathedral Heritage Centre. Doors at 7pm.
On The Road Again

On The Road Again

17 May 2026 - 17 May 2026

Show by award winning duo Annie Duggan and Rob Hines Award Winning Duo Annie Duggan and Rob Hines will be bringing their show " On The Road Again" to the Guildhall Leicester as part of their 100 years celebrations. If you haven't managed to see this very special duo yet make sure you don't miss them this time. With two American tours and gigging extensively across the UK Annie Duggan and Rob Hines have established themselves as one of the Midlands most engaging and vibrant performers who have received national acclaim both at home and abroad not only for their own songs but also for their interpretation of material from artists who have influenced their own music which is a seamless blend of Americana, Blues, and Roots, covering a wide genre of musical styles. Their Albums have been featured in Classic rock magazine, Maverick magazine and recently in the book 'Live Forever' featured alongside Americana artists Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell and many more. Annie is known for her powerhouse and soulful vocals and Rob Hines for his distinctive wonderful finger picking guitar playing that has earnt him the nickname "The Wizard”. Together they deliver with an energy and a passion that takes you on a musical journey that touches the heart of any audience. Doors 1.30, show starts at 2pm
Resting in Peace - a Talk by Joanne Vigor-Mungovin
Rest in Pieces! Hear the stories of John Massey, whose body was displayed in the gibbet outside Bilstone village in Leicestershire for 18 years after killing his wife; James Cook from Leicester, the last man to be gibbeted in the country; and Hannah Read from Foxton, the final female in Leicester to undergo the gruesome practice of being dissected after her execution for the murder of her husband in 1825.
Cole Stacey

Cole Stacey

27 Sept 2026 - 27 Sept 2026

Immerse yourself in this remarkable space in Leicester for an intimate concert with Cole Stacey as he presents his critically acclaimed debut album Postcards From Lost Places. Bringing together his years of experience on stage, Cole's deeply personal solo shows are rooted in storytelling, directed by a love of popular song and have connection with people and places at their heart.
This Flight Tonight - The Songs Of Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential artists of the modern age, rising to stardom in the late 1960's, Her music and songwriting is the jewel in the crown of the Woodstock generation. Bursting onto the scene with a sound entirely her own, Joni earned the respect of her musical peers and the love of her audiences Worldwide. Joni would go on to mine the depths of her emotive landscape and push the boundaries of songcraft and artistry for over five decades. Mitchell's albums and songs are widely recognised as masterpieces, standards that would become the soundtrack to the lives of countless fans throughout the world and continue to draw and inspire new generations of fans. Zervas & Pepper are Welsh Singer/Songwriters Paul Zervas and Kathryn Pepper, who have been creating and performing original music for over a decade professionally. The duo and their recording/touring band enjoy cult success on the UK and European Folk/Americana scene and have released five critically-acclaimed studio albums and undertaken countless live headline and support tours, receiving strong national and international network radio support throughout their career and their original music garnering praise and accolades from the likes of CSN&Y legend David Crosby, BBC DJ's Mark Radcliffe, Bob Harris, Lauren Laverne and Don Letts. 'This Flight Tonight' is a celebration of Joni Mitchell's music that the duo have had in the making for many years, and now 2023 will see them finally take this show on the road for the first time. The carefully-crafted set list will feature songs from Joni's million-selling albums such as Clouds, Ladies of the Canyon, For The Roses, Court and Spark, featuring many cuts from her 1972 landmark release 'Blue'. We are musical purist's Kathryn Pepper explains If we're going to present Joni's music for a live show then we are going to aim to recreate the performances almost exactly as they were intended, as songwriters and performers ourselves we know that every single note, inflection, momentary pause was placed there by the artist with intent.. We hold Joni Mitchell's music in the utmost regard and so we aim to capture its inner spirit and channel its majesty into each live performance
Sea Glass Workshop

Sea Glass Workshop

26 Apr 2026 - 26 Apr 2026

Come along and spend a relaxing 2 hours working with treasures from the sea Using sea glass, pottery and driftwood along with pens and paints you will be guided through the process of creating a unique piece of framed art to take home with you. You can gift this to someone or create it for yourself. No art or craft experience required, all materials supplied and you will surprise yourself at what you can create!
1645 - The Siege Of Leicester By Mathew Morris.
In a bloody eight days in May 1645 the Royalist army commanded by King Charles I attacked and brutally sacked Leicester. The siege, compared by contemporaries to the sack of Magdeburg, had a lasting impact on the town, outraged the nation, and contributed significantly to Charles I's downfall and eventual execution. Now, archaeological evidence from excavations in Leicester is helping us to re-evaluate what happened. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris to find out more about the fascinating and bloody story of the siege of Leicester.
Medieval Music Concert: Musica Medievalis
Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler present Musica Medievalis, an instrumental journey into the music of medieval Europe. Featuring hurdy-gurdy and its early predecessors, alongside harp, lute, citole, portative organ, bladder pipe, and tambourine, the concert explores rhythms and melodies from both sacred and secular traditions, interpreted with imaginative freedom while remaining rooted in historical sources. You won't want to miss it! See you there!
Weeping Bank Library

Weeping Bank Library

10 Nov 2026 - 10 Nov 2026

Mary Volk has been left a gift by her Uncle, the ventriloquist Fredrick Sale. A seemingly innocuous trunk filled with his theatre costumes. But the trunk isn’t all that it seems. Why is it smaller on the inside than the out? With numerous sold out shows under their belt including acclaimed performances at the UK Ghost Story Festival and London Month of the Dead and a growing reputation for creating a unique sense of dread in their audiences, Weeping Bank returns to Leicester Guildhall this November to present 'Pock'. Written and narrated by The Librarian and brought to life with atmospheric lighting and a haunting soundscape, this unsettling tale is not to be missed. Weeping Bank bridges a gap between Audible and Theatre, creating a fresh hinterland for horror aficionados to explore. But be warned - you may find the shadows a little darker afterwards. ‘A masterclass in the art of the modern ghost story.’ Writer & Journalist, Bronte Schiltz ‘Well-written and flawlessly delivered with thespian-level gravitas.’ Director & Writer, Emma Dark Warning - Weeping Bank readings contain moments of heightened tension. The reading is unsuitable for children or the faint of heart. For more about Weeping Bank, head over to www.weepingbank.com.
Decoupage Shells Workshop

Decoupage Shells Workshop

3 May 2026 - 3 May 2026

Join Pam from Cherry Bank Studio for another Sunday craft session. In this workshop Pam will show you how to create two beautiful decoupage bowls using scallop shells and finish with a gold gilt edge. The workshop will also include time to enjoy creating two aroma clay decoupage clay cards which you can finish with beautiful stamps on watercolour paper. Enjoy hot drinks and biscuits in the stunning setting of the Guildhall.
Slow Stich Flowers With Cherry Bank Studio
A relaxing afternoon of slow stitch. Join Pam for a relaxing afternoon of slow stitch. You'll find everything you need in your prepared kit to create a beautiful vase of floers with simple sticthes. Enjoy hot drinks and biscuits in the stunning setting of the Guildhall.
Family Sea Glass Workshop

Family Sea Glass Workshop

31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026

Curious about sea glass? Love getting creative? Come and join us for a magical Children’s & Family Sea Glass Workshop where you’ll turn these ocean treasures into something truly beautiful! Create your own unique Art work Fun for the whole family Spend a couple of hours making amazing memories Spaces are limited – don’t miss out on this sparkling seaside adventure!
Seductive. Vindictive. Powerful. Ravenous! A Life of Barbara Villiers.
A Life of Barbara Villiers: Charles II's most infamous mistress! Barbara Villiers rose from penniless aristocrat to the wealthy and powerful Duchess of Cleveland, becoming one of the most influential —and infamous — mistresses of King Charles II. Who was this beguiling woman, regarded by some as 'the curse of the nation'? Join popular historian Andrea Zuvich, The Seventeenth Century Lady, for a look at the dramatic life of Barbara Villiers, the subject of Zuvich's 2024 biography.
Park Life – The Hidden Heritage in Leicester’s Green Spaces by Mathew Morris
Leicester is home to more than 190 parks, community gardens, local nature reserves and green open spaces, but beneath their lawns and trees lies a remarkable hidden past. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris to explore the unseen heritage of the city’s green spaces. From Bronze Age bog bodies and Anglo-Saxon burials to a lost medieval abbey, Georgian county parks and forgotten air‑raid shelters, these everyday places conceal some of the city’s most fascinating archaeology, protected for centuries from urban development.
Renegades, Rebels and Rogues – Outlaws in Medieval Leicestershire by Mathew Morris
The ‘good’ outlaw is a major and recurring trope in medieval literature. Popularised by tales of Robin Hood, the outlaw is often portrayed as a social rebel and a romantic hero fighting against corrupt, cowardly, and greedy authorities. The reality behind the fiction was much grimmer. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris and find out more about Leicestershire’s real medieval outlaws, including Roger Godberd, the Folville brothers, and the killer friar Robert of Kenilworth.
Leicester Castle – The castle the city forgot by Mathew Morris.
“Leicester has a castle?” is often a visitor’s surprised response when told. Today it might not be a fairy-tale castle of tall walls, turrets and gates but it is a hidden gem in the city’s history, for over 900 years visited by kings and colourful characters. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris to find out more about the castle’s history and archaeology, including new discoveries found during the recent refurbishment of the 12th-century Great Hall, the oldest surviving aisled timber hall in Britain.
Spring Craft Fair

Spring Craft Fair

9 May 2026 - 10 May 2026

A great way to spend a spring day! Visit the beautiful medieval Guildhall where you can eat, drink, shop, and browse for something truly unique. Enjoy a wonderful variety of local artists, makers, and craftspeople, plus delicious food and drinks in our courtyard. Entry £1 | Children free
Folk Crafts And Rhythms - Easter Special
Celebrate Easter by exploring a rich variety of Eastern European Easter traditions. Visit our themed stalls to discover, learn about, and even try traditional customs from across Eastern Europe. The exhibition will feature beautifully decorated Easter eggs, inspired by traditional Eastern European techniques and craftsmanship. Slovak Easter Egg Decorating Workshop Try the traditional Slovak wax-resist technique and decorate your own Easter eggs in a guided, hands-on workshop. Discover the beauty and symbolism of traditional Slovak Easter eggs in this creative, hands-on workshop using the centuries-old wax-resist technique. Guided by artist Andrea, you will learn about the patterns, symbols and cultural meanings behind Easter traditions in Slovakia. Andrea will demonstrate the wax-application methods step-by-step, after which you will design and decorate up to two eggs of your own. The workshop lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Please note this session is for adults only, and participants will need to sign a short safety waiver on the day after receiving instructions for working with hot wax. Easter Egg Competition Do you have Eastern European roots and create Easter egg designs so stunning they could belong in a museum? This is your chance to showcase your talent! Bring your creations and take part in this special celebration of heritage and artistry. Each participant may register up to three eggs.
Medieval Guildhall Celebrates Centenary As A Museum!
Celebrate with us on 4th May 2026! A Leicester landmark, built as a meeting place for a rich and powerful medieval guild will celebrate its centenary as a much-loved city museum in May. The Guildhall, which dates from 1390, became Leicester’s first town hall in the mid-16th century – but faced an uncertain future when it was replaced by the new Town Hall in 1876. Despite calls for its demolition, the ancient timber-framed building was saved, reopening to the public as a museum and performance venue on 19 May 1926 after a major programme of restoration. To celebrate its centenary as a museum, the Guildhall will be running free guided tours that will chart the building’s restoration and its renaissance as a museum. People of all ages are invited to enjoy a programme of free events that includes maypole dancing in the courtyard, live medieval music, historical reenactments, guided tours, arts and crafts, and face painting (small charge applies). Redcoats and Revolutionaries are 18th century re-enactors who share their passion for history by recreating aspects of the American Revolutionary War through traditional crafts, battle re-enactment, experimental archeology and dramatic performance. There is no other historical activity that offers so much hands-on experience! Events 4th May 2026 Redcoats and Revolutionaries Re-enactors 11am - 3pm Free Craft Activity - Bunting & Badges! 11am - 3pm Guided Tour Then and Now - the Guildhall Restoration 1pm - 2pm Family Ceilidh - Celebrate 100 Years of the Guildhall! 4pm - 7pm
Free Craft Activity - Bunting & Badges!
Come and be part of something special as we celebrate 100 years of the Guildhall! Bring the whole family along for a fun, hands-on creative session where you’ll help design and make colourful bunting to decorate this historic building for its centenary celebrations. It’s a wonderful chance to add your own artistic touch to a once-in-a-lifetime milestone! You will also create your very own commemorative badge to take home — a special keepsake to remember being part of the Guildhall’s 100-year story. FREE - Drop-in, no booking needed
Family Ceilidh  -  Celebrate 100 Years Of The Guildhall!
Celebrate 100 Years of the Guildhall with a Family Ceilidh! Celebrate 100 Years of the Guildhall with a Family Ceilidh! Let’s fill the Guildhall with music, dancing and celebration as we kick off the next 100 years together! Put on your dancing shoes and join us for an early-evening Ceilidh as we celebrate the Guildhall’s 100th birthday in style! Bring the whole family and do-si-do the night away in the beautiful Great Hall. Whether you’re a ceilidh pro or no experience at all, our fantastic live band 3Around3 will guide you through the steps and keep everyone dancing! No experience needed & all ages welcome. Children FREE Adults
Clay Play Day!

Clay Play Day!

28 May 2026 - 28 May 2026

Come to the Guildhall this half term and create your own clay art or model from air drying clay to take home. We have lots of ideas for things to make and there will be extra craft materials you can use too. Suitable for kids of all ages. Bring an apron, some hand wipes and a tub to carry your creation home in. Explore the historic Guildhall as little ones follow exciting trails, get their faces painted, and make their own masterpieces to take home. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
Archaeology Fun Day

Archaeology Fun Day

24 Jul 2026 - 24 Jul 2026

Bring the Kids to Leicester Guildhall to become an archaeologist for the day. Make your own archaeologist’s hat, trowel and ID badge and have a go at digging up some pictures of treasure in our dig trays. Find the pictures of uncovered artefacts around the museum and then discover the actual items in our galleries. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
Wizard School!

Wizard School!

30 Jul 2026 - 30 Jul 2026

Make a wizard wand, hat and magical “rabbit in a hat” toy. Find the pictures around the museum in our wizard world trail and join in our broomstick game in the courtyard (broomsticks provided). £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
Cops ‘N’ Robbers

Cops ‘N’ Robbers

6 Aug 2026 - 6 Aug 2026

A fun day of crafts and activities at Leicester Guildhall which was once Leicester’s first Police station. Make a police dog glove puppet, a cops ‘n’ robbers game and a Guildhall police hat. Throw sponges at your family in the stocks and find the pictures in the museum trail. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
K-Pop Summer Party

K-Pop Summer Party

13 Aug 2026 - 13 Aug 2026

Get into the festival spirit with a fun day of crafts and activities at Leicester Guildhall. Kids can make a musical shaker, a flag and a hat and join in our musical parade around the courtyard. “That’s how it’s done done done!” £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
Messy Play And Clay

Messy Play And Clay

20 Aug 2026 - 20 Aug 2026

If you had all the craft materials available, what would you make? Bring the kids to Leicester Guildhall and find out. Choose materials from our craft table and make whatever you want. Paper, card, lolly sticks, buttons, beads, chalks, pipe cleaners and lots more! We have lots of ideas available to help you and some craft packs from previous events. Bring a bag to carry your creations home. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.
Then And Now - The Guildhall Restoration
Marking 100 years after being declared open as a museum! We will look at the life of the Guildhall how it all began and what happened to it over the years, and its life today. Building began in 1343 and the great hall is reputed to have been completed in 1390. Further wings were added over the next 100 years. However, in 1876 the corporation met at the Guildhall for the last time, a new Town Hall had been built! The Guildhall was in a state of disrepair. The Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society petitioned the council to save the building and in 1922 a restoration programme began. On 19th May 1926 – after the restoration the Guildhall was declared open as a museum. The council committee agreed that the museum and library committee should take over the future control of the building. The most significant building in Leicester is delighted to be celebrating 100 years open as a museum! This is your opportunity to come and find out more regarding this unique and beautiful building with a free guided tour. FREE - booking essential
Leicester Guildhall Alternative Market
Seasonal
This October, something wickedly wonderful is coming to Leicester Guildhall… The historic (and supposedly haunted) Guildhall will host its first Alternative Market, we will transform into a marketplace brimming with the strange and unusual. Alternative creators, makers, and curators of curiosities will host an array of stalls inside one of Leicester’s most atmospheric buildings. This is a celebration of the weird and the wonderful!
How To Spin Enchantment

How To Spin Enchantment

30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026

Adapted from The Pentamerone The Tale of Tales, these high-energy, whimsical, funny wonder tales are cleverly intertwined and a lot of fun. Spin and weave the tangled roving into one thread of magic. Snap the scissors shut right before the happily ever after. 17th Century Italian Giambattista Basile travelled from Venice to Naples collecting the most marvelous fairytales. This is a panoply of some of the most lyrical, characterful and hysterical fairytale stories ever offered up for performance. Seven Godmothers, a sleeping Prince, a weeping girl and an enchanted doll that makes its owner crave more stories. MORE STORIES!
Strange Majesty: Legends Of Vortigern And The Forgotten Kings Of Britain
The famous tales of Arthur are only one small part of a long cycle of legends of the kings of ancient Britain tales of heroes and villains, courage and cowardice, glory and crime, and triumph, tragedy and treason, stretching down generations, coming to a head in a final war between the Britons and the seaborne Saxon invaders. Award-winning writer and storyteller Simon Heywood combines music, song and storytelling to bring new life to a forgotten treasure trove of tales, remembering the strange majesty of the kings of Albion, from Brutus to Belin, Locrin to Lear, Arthur, Merlin and Vortigern.
Peter Knight's Gigspanner Trio

Peter Knight's Gigspanner Trio

22 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2026

Peter Knight's Gigspanner Trio - Return to the Guildhall! "There’s something of the proverbial elder statesman about Peter Knight, in terms of his place in music, which cannot be overstated. It’s not just in the quality of his playing...there’s a focus on the sheer inventiveness of Peter’s playing, in the adventurous arrangements he shares with his collaborators, and in his musical leadership” - Northern Sky Magazine Since his inaugural performance with the fledgling Steeleye Span in 1970, Peter Knight has been a mainstay of the British folk scene. Never one to rest on his laurels, Peter has carved a reputation as a relentlessly questing musician “as mercurial as quicksilver” (Simon Jones/fRoots), and it is never quite so apparent as in his work with the various Gigspanner line-ups. In the wake of his departure from Steeleye Span, Peter turned his full attention to the Gigspanner Trio and established their reputation as one of the most genuinely ground-breaking forces on the British folk scene, inspiring Maverick magazine to write "Gigspanner are pushing at the boundaries, and in the process are making some of the most beautiful music the genre has to offer" 5 Maverick Magazine Described by Folk Radio UK as one of the “most quietly brilliant sets of musicians in the folk world and beyond”, they take self-penned material along with music rooted in the British Isles and beyond, and with the flick of a bow, a finely chosen chord or slip of a beat, produce richly atmospheric arrangements “with notes seemingly plucked from the stars and rhythms from the equator” (Spiral Earth).
'St. George and the Bard' free Guided Tour
St George the patron Saint of England. A feast day of St George has been celebrated in England for hundreds of years. But what do we really know about St George and how did he become the Patron Saint of England. Most people have heard a legend of St George slaying a dragon, but what else have you heard about him? Why is the life of William Shakespeare celebrated on April 23rd and how is he associated with the Leicester Guildhall. How are some of his greatest plays connected to Leicester? And where is the legendary King Lear supposedly buried? Come and find out more about St George. Discover the answers to these questions and many more on a free guided tour. This is a special tour in collaboration with the St. George's Festival.
Guildhall - Guided Tours

Guildhall - Guided Tours

4 Apr 2026 - 29 Apr 2026

The Great Hall was built in about 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. It is believed that Shakespeare performed here during Tudor times. Over the years it has had many uses, including housing one of the oldest public libraries and serving as the Town Hall. After restoration, the Guildhall was opened to the public as a museum in 1926. Leicester is privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber framed halls in the country dating back 600 years. This is your opportunity to come and find out more regarding this unique and beautiful building with a free guided tour.
An Invitation to Understanding by Dr Malcolm Schofield
The journey from sceptic to parapsychologist – and how he perhaps got that journey wrong! Join parapsychologist and lecturer Malcolm Schofield as he explores his personal relationship with the paranormal, and the journey from sceptic to parapsychologist – and how he perhaps got that journey wrong! During the talk, Malcolm will cover some of his research into paranormal beliefs and experience, and the people he has met along the way. He’ll also be talking about some of his favourite paranormal phenomena and cases, such as thoughtographer Ted Serios, Borley Rectory, and of course, Mothman. Malcolm will cover public perceptions of the paranormal, and what that has meant for his career as a lecturer in psychology, and his position on the Council of the Society for Psychical Research and work on their Spontaneous Cases Committee.
Shakespeare and the Guildhall

Shakespeare and the Guildhall

19 Jul 2026 - 19 Jul 2026

Celebrate 403 years of Shakespeare's First Folio with a free guided tour like no other. Join us at the historic Guildhall for a captivating journey through time, where the world of William Shakespeare comes vividly to life. This special anniversary event invites you to explore the rich and surprising connections between Shakespeare and Leicester-stories that blur the line between legend and legacy. Wander through the atmospheric hall as our tour guide, Julie, reveals how Shaspeare is linked to Leicester Guildhall, uncovering the city's hidden role in shaping some of his greatest works. Discover how echoes of Leicester can be found within the drama, intrigue, and characters of his plays. But the story doesn't end there... Hear the fascinating tale of the legendary King Lear and the enduring mystery of his supposed burial. Fact or folklore? You decide. Whether you're a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or simply curious, this unique tour promises an unforgettable encounter with one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Step into the story. Discover the connections. Celebrate the legacy.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Featuring a cast of West End singers and a live band, join us for a ‘Landslide’ concert, jam packed with Fleetwood Mac hits as you have never heard them before! This incredible show will feature best loved songs including ‘Little Lies’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Rhiannon’, ‘Don’t Stop’ and many more, performed by Candlelight. So ‘Go Your Own Way’ and book your tickets now as this really is the concert of ‘Dreams’!
A Leicester Conversation On Mummified Bodies
Egyptian mummified bodies have been a feature at Leicester Museum and Art Galleries for generations. But how did they come to be here? What do they mean to different visitors today? And what could their future in your museum look like? Join us for a Friday night exploring the history of their display in European museums and the contemporary questions surrounding them today. This is not a traditional lecture, but an evening designed to involve you in this important and timely conversation. Through a guided conversation and workshop, you will be invited to take part in current debates, share your perspective, and become an active participant in your museum’s future. From display strategies to the impact of technologies such as CT scanning and digital images, as well as questions of displacement, ethics, and bioethics, the evening will open up space to reflect, explore different viewpoints, map your thoughts and even write your own museum label. Whether you’re new to the topic or already familiar with these questions, this is a rare opportunity to think together about the role of museums, the responsibilities of curation, and the values we want to uphold when it comes to the display of the dead. Join Dr Angela Stienne – Egyptologist and museum ethics researcher – for an after-hours evening of meaningful dialogue in a beautiful setting an experience designed to challenge, inspire, and connect! are booking is essential. Biography Dr Angela Stienne is an Egyptologist, a museum ethics researcher and an honorary Research Fellow of the University of Leicester, where she obtained a PhD in Museum Studies in 2018 focusing on the history of Egyptian mummified bodies in European museums. She returns to Leicester Museum & Art Gallery where she previously co-produced community exhibitions and takeovers on displacement and ethics. She is the founder of the project Mummy Stories, recognized by the Future Leader Award at the University of Leicester, and the author of Mummified, The stories behind Egyptian mummies in museums (2022) and Promenades égyptologiques dans Paris (2025).
Candlelight: Christmas Classics

Candlelight: Christmas Classics

18 Dec 2026 - 20 Dec 2026

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Classics under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Crime and Punishment Guided Tour

Crime and Punishment Guided Tour

4 Apr 2026 - 4 Apr 2026

A unique glimpse into Leicester's first Police Force. Join Mark Collins, one of our wonderful tour guides for a special and unique look at the history of Leicester's oldest medieval building from when it was home to Leicester’s first Police Force. This tour will concentrate upon the theme of ‘Crime and Punishment’. Find out about the unsavoury characters who have passed through its historic doors. The tours are free, however, donations are welcome. Book in advance online.

↖ Back to all venues