Eat, Drink and Be Merry III

Christmas in Leicester

Well, we’ve done a bit of festive eating. There has been the odd Christmas tipple or two. So now it’s time for me to focus on our being merry this Christmas right? Well, I figured that since we’re all about experiences over things nowadays, then our being merry should be about stuff that is fun to do over Christmas, as well as things you can buy for Christmas gifts that make great experiences. It’s definitely not too late to inject a little Christmas spirit into your life!

Carols in the Pub

As we all know, kareoke is much, much better when one is firmly lubricated with alcohol. Therefore it stands to reason that the best place to host a sing-song at Christmas is the pub. The Black Horse in Aylestone are doing just that on Tuesday 17th December from 6.30pm. It’s free to join in, so pull on your Christmas jumper and head down.

Lightweight

Returning after it’s success last year in Cathedral Gardens, the unique Lightweight installation has a new home in New Market Square. This slightly crazy sphere is full of pulsing and dancing graphics, which then pick up and incorporates the portraits of those people watching it! It’s a lot of fun, and while you’re there you can see Santa in the Square for absolutely free! These are brilliant activities for adults and children alike. I will certainly be popping by the Square to enjoy it for myself next week after the fun I had last year!

Ice Rink

Of course, if you’ve been living under a rock, you may not have realised that Leicester has its own temporary ice rink again this year. Located on Jubilee Square it is even bigger than last years. It’s housed under a clear roof so it doesn’t matter what the weather is like, and well lit into the evening. A 45 minute session with skate hire is £9 and £7.50 for children off peak. Book your tickets online. The rink will be open until 5th Jan.

20/20 Beer Festival Gift Package

If you are looking for a present for the person who has everything, why not buy them a 20/20 gift package for the 2020 Leicester Beer Festival? The festival returns on 26-29 February 2020 at the fabulous Haymarket Theatre, and will have (predictably) over 202 beers and ciders available, as well as gin from The Travelling Juniperberries, hot and cold food, morris dancing (sigh) and more!

The package includes one day of festival admission (normally £5), tokens for 8 halves of real ale or real cider, and a commemorative festival glass (which usually cost somewhere around £3, I’m not sure how much they will be at this year’s festival. This is a great value package so worth buying for anyone who is intending to visit the festival next year. Click the link to book through the Haymarket website.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Pre-sale tickets and gift vouchers are also available for the visual feast that will be the Van Gogh immersive experience at All Saints’ Church on Highcross Street. Opening on 7th February 2020, this installation uses state of the art projection, digital animation and augmented reality technologies to bring the works of Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh to life in one of Leicester’s most beautiful Grade I listed buildings. Community groups and school groups can also apply now for discounted entry and free survey visits for teachers and leaders in preparation for their group visit, as well as days having been allocated for people with SEND to enjoy the space with lower numbers of other visitors and a reduced volume soundtrack. All the details, including how to book, are on the website.

English Vineyard Tours and Tastings

And finally, of course I will be delivering our now annual Christmas wine tasting at Rothley Wine Estate on 27th December. There are still about 8 tickets left at the time of writing, so if you are looking for something fun to do instead of eating yourself to death in front of the telly while waiting for the new year then come and join us! All the tickets are now on sale for 2020 too, which make a lovely surprise for a loved one. We are also trialing evening tours and tastings in the summer of 2020 for the first time too, so come along to one of those too!

Enjoy Christmas in Leicester!