What's on in Leicester: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 8 November: Popping to the Shops: Evington

7 March to 8 November 2026, during museum opening hours | Local history exhibition | Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA | Free.

Explore Evington's shops as places to work, meet and share neighbourhood life. Traders and residents helped curate objects, photographs and stories for this exhibition, including contemporary items donated by local businesses.

Ongoing until 15 November: A Dog's Life

19 September to 15 November 2026, during museum opening hours | Family-friendly art exhibition | Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk | Free.

Artists, designers, illustrators and photographers explore the relationship between people and dogs. Family activities include drawing and displaying canine portraits and interactive ways to engage with the exhibition.

4 November: Chris Packham's World of Wonder

Wednesday 4 November, 7.30pm | Nature and science talk, ages 12+ | De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU | £33.49 to £48.49.

Chris Packham shares stories from a lifetime of observing wildlife, with specimens from his own collection and practical ideas for helping nature. The venue lists an interval and an approximate finish at 9.30pm.

8 November: Accessible Afternoon at the National Space Centre

Sunday 8 November, accessible activities 3pm to 6pm | SEND-friendly museum visit | National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS | Included in standard entry; Annual Pass holders can book a return visit.

A quieter programme offers managed lighting and sound, sensory activities and additional accessible planetarium options. Visitors can arrive during normal daytime opening before the afternoon activities begin.

18 November: Highcross Christmas Lights Switch-On

Wednesday 18 November, from 6.50pm; countdown performance at 7pm | Shopping-centre festive celebration | Highcross Leicester.

Follow the Spark Drummers into a seasonal celebration of lights and entertainment. This is Highcross's own event, taking place on the same date as the city-centre Christmas lights programme.

20 November: Space Lates

Friday 20 November, 6pm to 9pm | Evening science event | National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester | Separately ticketed; Annual Pass entry does not cover this event.

Exploring Other Worlds brings talks, hands-on activities and an included timed planetarium show. Stargazing is weather dependent. Most galleries are open, but the Rocket Tower and Tetrastar Spaceport are excluded that evening.

From 21 November: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Selected performances from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Saturday 16 January 2027 | Musical theatre, age guidance 8+ | Curve, Rutland Street, Leicester | Choose a performance for current ticket prices.

Curve's new production follows Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe through Willy Wonka's extraordinary factory. The show runs for approximately two and a half hours including an interval; access performances and seat options are listed by the theatre.

21 November to 23 December: Gingerbread Pop-up Panto

21 and 28 November; 5, 12, 19 and 23 December, hourly shows between 10am and 6pm with a break | Free mini family pantomime | Highcross Upper Mall, near Next and Apple, Leicester.

Visit Mother Christmas's kitchen for a short show with Pudding the Elf and Father Christmas. SEN sessions run during the first hour, 10am to 11am. Queue in good time and check the organiser's schedule for breaks.

From 28 November: Santa's Spaceport Experience

28 and 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December | Family festive experience | National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester | Paid add-on to admission; choose your date and add the experience at checkout.

The Space Centre's Christmas experience has its own booking requirement in addition to your visit. Annual Pass holders should use the separate return-visit route shown on the organiser's booking page.

29 November: Abbey Pumping Station Christmas Steam Day

Sunday 29 November, 11.30am to 4pm | Heritage and family activities | Abbey Pumping Station, Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5PX | Online adults £7, children 5 to 15 £3; under-5s free. Door prices are higher.

See a restored Gimson beam engine in steam alongside historic vehicles, festive music and crafts. Christmas railway rides cost £1 extra. The organiser directs visitors to the neighbouring National Space Centre car park on Exploration Drive.

December 2026

2 December: The Big Christmas Assembly

Wednesday 2 December, doors 7pm | Festive singalong | De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester | £28 to £35.50.

James B Partridge revisits the songs of childhood Christmas assemblies with seasonal classics, mashups and stories. Use the venue's performance details for the current schedule and booking options.

From 12 December: Beauty and the Beast

Selected performances from Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family pantomime | De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester | Adults from £14.50 and children from £13.50; prices vary by performance.

Jenny Ryan joins the cast of this seasonal pantomime with Jarred Christmas and Jack Ballard. A relaxed performance is listed for 30 December at 11am, with BSL interpretation at that performance and the 3pm show the same day.