Leicester Hotel Blog

Leicester is a City immersed in culture, the City is practically overflowing with it. List of things to do in Leicester is great for locals and visitors alike, the offering of shops, independent and chain are many and the chance to experience world class art in Leicester is the same.

Leicester not only has a lot of rich history and captivating attractions, it is also home to the multi-award-winning National Space Centre. Attendees are invited to have a truly stratospheric experience within the six galleries where visitors will be able to interact with meteorites, rockets and satellites.

Not only is Leicester a vibrant city in terms of culture, it also has a very large foodie scene. Whatever your preference of food style or type you will be able to discover it in Leicester. The offering from different parts of the world is very widespread you can experience flavours ranging from Asian street food, classic Italian pizza and even enjoy food from South America to delicious vegetarian and vegan meals.

There are multiple things to discover in Leicester, everything from architecture to attractions that are out of this world. In this series of short blogs we will be delving into what makes this city a real treasure trove, explore iconic landmarks that put the place marker on the city to it’s most well kept secrets.

The brand new extension will be opening its doors on Friday 20^th January and we couldn’t be more excited! During the early months of 2020 the crew were all working behind the scenes to plan exactly how they were going to execute the plan and in September 2022 construction was able to begin.

Taking place on Wednesday 28^th December you will be able to experience an evening of stand-up comedy taking place at The Black Horse in Aylestone, Leicester. The Laughter Loft consists of three to four local comedians and a compere to bring all the acts together in a seamlessly enjoyable evening of frolics and hilarity.

Produced by the incredible Roger Taylor and fellow band member of Queen Brian May, The Queen Extravaganza Leicester has been designed especially to facilitate new fans, together with the long-standing fans, to truly immerse themselves and celebrate the music of one of the biggest bands in the world.

Coming to The Curve Theatre early next year, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was born from the wild imagination of best-selling author Neil Gaiman known for stories such as Coraline, Good Omens and The Sandman (now a major Netflix series). The play visits Leicester and is the National Theatre’s major new stage adaptation of the story.

Leicester Comedy Festival returns for it’s 30^th year celebration and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before! This year’s Festival essentially dominates the month of February running from Wednesday 8^th – Sunday 26^th February 2023.

The annual pantomime at De Montfort Hall returns, this year the city of Leicester will be joined by Cinderella, her evil stepmother, her horrible stepsisters and all of your favourite characters for a jam-packed event that the whole family will enjoy.

The Lions are heading to Qatar in just under two weeks and we couldn’t be more excited. The Lions battled their way through the qualifying round and have successfully made it to Fifa World Cup 2022 Qatar. This year the tournament begins on November 20^th and will end on December 18^th in what promises to be a nail-biting competition.

The first of November may very well signify the beginning of National Calzone Month, but here at Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston and our on-site Bella Italia we’ve decided to celebrate by giving you an offer you can’t refuse in what you could call a ‘deconstructed calzone’ monthly offering.

With the festive season upon us there’s nothing more we like to do than have a mooch about the city centre and take in all the winter wonder, the mulled wine, various food stalls, shopping for gifts for loved ones and live music are just a few staples that occur in these markets during Christmas in Leicester that bring us such joy.

In October 1995 whilst the 25^th Annual World Pasta Congress was taking place the idea for creating a ‘World Pasta Day’ was conceived. Pasta aficionados from all over the world had gathered to discuss the versatility of the noodle, it became apparent amongst the committee that spreading the knowledge of the globe’s panorama of pasta was of great importance.

Taking inspiration from the Mexican Day of the Dead, you and the family will be able to take part in a range of activities, watch live entertainment and learn all about animals from all over the world. The Mexican celebrations will be running from 22^nd – 30^th October (half term week). Below we highlight what the Twycross Zoo has on offer for the week.

Get ready to feel illuminated with the return of Leicester’s official fireworks display and bonfire night celebrations set to take place in Abbey Park. You can expect a full programme of fun-filled activities and events including all your favourites such as a funfair, live entertainment, hot food and beverage stalls set throughout the park.

The stage programme for Diwali lights switch-on runs from 5.30pm - 8pm on Belgrave Road with the lights turned on at 7.30pm followed by the fireworks, which this year can be viewed from Belgrave Road. The Diwali Village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground will feature a full stage programme showcasing local talent, children’s fun-fair rides and stalls including food and concessions, from 3pm - 9pm.

The Queen’s body will now be flown to RAF Northolt in London where it will then be taken to Buckingham Palace by King Charles III, Camilla, the King’s consort and other members of the Royal Family. On Wednesday 14^th September Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be moved to Westminster Hall where she will lie in state for four days, The Queen's coffin will leave Buckingham Palace at 14:22.

The LCB Depot Sound exhibition itself will include works from up and coming talent as well as already established artists all based in Leicester and beyond. The exhibitions and activities are going to be advertised on social media and you can follow their handle @lcbdepot for more information

First held in York in 1831 and organised by the British Science Association; The British Science Festival is the longest running science Festival in the United Kingdom and it stemmed from a tradition of annual meetings of the Association usually based in a key city.

The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking, UK art education project to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us. To commemorate this fantastic project a trail of large Globe sculptures representing an element of historic slavery will be displayed across Leicester until the end of October.

This year as well as a full weekend of awe-inspiring live entertainment attendees can expect to see street theatre, dance art, music and sport. The highlight of the festival however will be the journey of STORM – a folklore giant come to life. This magnificent spectacle stands at ten metres tall and is an homage to a goddess of the seas,

With Bella Italia, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. After recently introducing a number of ways to help enhance your summer, our on-site Bella Italia is now offering a set lunch menu for just £8.99!*

Returning for its twelfth year, Leicester Pride 2022 is set to take place on Saturday 3^rd September and is the annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in and around the city. Like previous years, the festival is set to take place in Victoria Park after the procession navigating its way through the city centre.

Summer fun at Bella Italia Wigston

The school term is ending, and the summer holidays are here! Part of the fun of summer is enjoying evenings out with your family and here at our on-site Bella Italia.

Holiday Inn is branded as part of the “Essentials collection” under the IHG umbrella and boasts having 1,192 open hotels with 215,841 rooms based across all sites. When discussing Holiday Inn, IHG say that “At Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts we pride ourselves in delivering warm and welcoming experiences for guests staying for business or pleasure.

StayPlayExplore is an extravagant assortment of deliberately curated, amazing value, flexible and easy to book family holidays based in the United Kingdom.

After recently winning the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Tournament, members of Leicester Tigers enjoyed some well-deserved time off by visiting local, family run Everards brewery in Leicester.

We’ve been keeping this one quiet for a bit but we’re extremely excited to announce the launch of a new Bella Italia Wigston menu rolling out of our on-site restaurant very soon!

You can’t beat the feeling of spending invaluable time with loved ones, and having time to spend quality time with your friends whilst soaking up the local culture? Indescribable.

In Europe and the UK, IHG Celebrate Service week is currently underway. During this week we use this opportunity to recognise and thank our amazing colleagues who really go above and beyond to deliver the best customer service our guests could ask for.

Work from Hotel in Leicester Wigston is a new concept that the Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston is offering to its customers. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, both leisure and business trips at hotels in Leicester have seen a massive decline.

The official name of Leicester Tigers is actually Leicester Football Club, not to be confused with Leicester City Football Club which plays an entirely different game! The Leicester Tigers nickname has been around since at least 1885.

There are so many reasons why Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston is the best Leicester hotel with free parking.

Due to the current coronavirus emergency, most hotels open in Leicester have had to close.  Many key workers and other essential businesses are struggling to find hotels open in Leicester.

Looking for the perfect weekend away? There’s plenty to bring you to Leicestershire this year.

Book a night stay at Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston and take advantage of these incredible events in the city.

Dairy-lovers will be delighted to hear that the UK’s largest cheese fair returns to Leicestershire on Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd May. With over 70 cheesemakers from across Britain and Ireland, this artisan fair showcases more than 300 delicious cheeses to try and buy, so you can buy your old favourites and also discover scrumptious new cheesy tastes!

As the February half-term holidays approach, it's time to plan some fun-filled days out with the family - and there's certainly no shortage of places to go right here in Leicestershire.

Book Now and take advantage of our favorite attractions in the city. 

Take advantage of these incredible events taking place in Leicester this year. We can not wait to enjoy this array of wonderful events and attractions. 

Book a night stay at Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston and take advantage of these incredible 2020 events in Leicester. 

Welford Road stadium has been home to the Leicester Tigers since September 1892 and now has a capacity of 25,849, making it the largest purpose-built club rugby ground in the UK.

BOOK a night stay at Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston and enjoy the rugby at Welford Road just moments away. 

Jump aboard the magic carpet in Leicester as we travel to ancient China to meet our hero, young Aladdin.

Starring X Factor winner Sam Bailey and popstar Antony Costa from Blue, as well as Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter Nathan Connor, BBC Radio Leicester's Martin Ballard, Paul Burling from Britain's Got Talent and magicians Matthew Pomeroy and Natasha Lamb.

Stay the night and enjoy Aladdin just moments away from Holiday Inn Leicester Wigston

Are you looking for a Christmas celebration with extra sparkle? Then head to Leicester’s best Christmas party, The Christmas Cracker, at the Morningside Arena from 13^th to 15^th December! With a delicious five-course meal, drinks a-plenty, and a cracking DJ and dance floor, it’s the perfect way to kick-start your Christmas celebrations!

If you’re after a splash of culture while staying with us, head to Leicester’s original museum, the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery. With a wide range of collections and displays, spanning both the natural and cultural world, the diverse exhibitions at this free-to-enter museum provide something for all the family.

Celebrate Halloween at Twinlakes Park this October with their exceptional Greatest Halloween Circus! This not-so-scary, spook-tacular show is open from 18^th to 27^th October and features breathtaking acrobatics, unbelievable stunts and dazzling costumes – perfect for a family celebration to suit all ages.

The days are getting shorter, the nights are drawing in, and soon be upon us! Fortunately, Leicester has a fantastic line-up of family fun from 16th November to 7th January to get you into the festive spirit.

Celebrate bonfire night with a bang this year at Leicester’s biggest fireworks extravaganza, the Abbey Park Bonfire and Fireworks Display. This year’s spectacular main fireworks display event in Leicester takes place on Saturday 2^nd November – and, with over 15,000 visitors each year, you’ll be celebrating in excellent company in Leicester!

Every October, Leicester joins with the rest of the UK to celebrate Black History Month (BHM). Experience a series of events, exhibitions and conversations that recognise and rejoice in Leicester’s incredibly diverse heritage, and celebrate the history and cultural contribution that African and Caribbean communities have made to the East Midlands over the years.

In August 2012, a skeleton was uncovered beneath a car park in Leicester and scientists concluded it was indeed the remains of the long-lost Last Plantagenet King of England, King Richard III. The award-winning Visitor Centre offers the journey back in time to experience the incredible story of King Richard’s life and death.

Located in nearby Loughborough is the Charnwood Museum: this hidden gem is well worth a family visit – especially during the summer holidays, when there are activities a-plenty to keep young minds entertained!

The Western Park Beer Festival is Leicester’s very own way  to come together and enjoy a variety of local beer and local fine foods! It will be held on 6th and 7th of September, 2019 at the St Anne’s Church and Community Hall, Letchworth Road, Western Park.

The International Music Festival, is one of the most prestigious music festivals to visit Leicester annually. The father of classical music, Mozart, will be featured at the festival with legendary Schubert and Britain’s young composer, Mark Simpson from the 19th to 21st September, 2019. 

After a hugely successful first year, Fake Festival is back in Leicester this summer! Head over to Victoria Park on 10th August to experience six of the best, pro-level “Fake Bands”, for a celebration that’s guaranteed to have you singing and dancing well into the night!

Head over to Leicester this summer for a family-friendly bike ride through its beautiful city streets! On Sunday 25th August, the city centre will be closed to vehicle traffic, and more than 12,000 people will see the city from the saddle.

2019 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landings, and Leicester is celebrating with festivities truly out of this world! With partners such as the National Space Centre, Arts Council England and Inspirate, One Giant Leap will be an intergalactic exploration like no other.

Leicester’s very own Caribbean Carnival is back on Saturday 3rd August, and promises to be bigger, brighter and better than ever before! Since its inaugural year in 1985, it has grown each year to become one of the largest carnivals outside London, attracting over 110,000 visitors!

Experience a gig unlike any other with De Montfort Hall’s “Gigs in the Garden”, where some of the biggest names in the music industry will perform in this stunning outdoor setting. Events take place from Friday 16^th to Monday 26^th August; and, as Leicester’s largest entertainment venue with more than a hundred years of experience hosting live acts, you’re guaranteed a top-quality concert!

For a truly out-of-this-world experience, bring your family to Leicester this summer to visit the award-winning National Space Centre! With its iconic forty-two-metre rocket tower, the largest planetarium in the UK and six interactive galleries, the Space Centre is a mind-blowing day out for all the family.

There is an exciting new exhibition coming to Leicester’s New Walk Museum and Art Gallery from 13^th April to 30^th June: ‘Mods: Shaping a Generation’. Open seven days a week, this fascinating collection celebrates the Mod scene in Leicester and Nottingham, through remarkable stories told by those who were there.

The cathedral is open for visitors and all are welcome within its doors. From the fine stained glass to the story and tomb of King Richard III, explore over 900 years of history in this peaceful and beautiful building. 

Using fantastic storytelling, beautiful design and 21st century technology, the King Richard III Visitor Centre tells the fascinating and moving story of the life, death and discovery of King Richard III.

DMU Orchestra and Chorus

This exhibition is a survey of 50 years of the paintings of Brendan Neiland, one of the leading artists of his generation. 

The Asian Wedding Exhibition shows, arguably the most awaited shows in Leicester, are coming up and we don’t want you to miss out. The shows are unlike any other and allow Brides and Grooms the opportunity to meet wedding specialists and plan their dream wedding all under one roof.

Bring the kids and explore the animal kingdom at Twycross Zoo this summer.

Don’t miss out on this action-packed family day out and book to stay at the Holiday Inn Leicester –Wigston.

Next Sunday, the 12^th of August, Leicester Race course is hosting its famous Family Fun Day which has been described by all as a ‘Day to Remember’.

This is definitely an event not to miss so bring the whole family and make a weekend out of it. Book to stay at the Holiday Inn Leicester –Wigston.

This summer, Rutland Watersports Centre is the place to be. Conveniently located just an hour’s drive from the heart of Leicester, Rutland Watersports offers many fun-filled activities to enjoy.

Bring the whole family and enjoy the hot weather while it lasts. Book to stay at the Holiday Inn Leicester –Wigston.

Get ready for the 4th of November 2018 and be dazzled by Leicester’s biggest Bonfire and Firework display at Leicester’s Abbey Park.

Don’t miss this attraction and book to stay at Holiday Inn Leicester -Wigston.

Enjoy Bradgate park while the sun is shining, there are many things to do that we are sure you’ll enjoy. Whether it is enjoying the wilderness or going for an ice cream – there is something for everyone.

Bring the kids and make a weekend out of it! Book to stay at the Holiday Inn Leicester -Wigston, located minutes away from Bradgate Park

Hurry to purchase tickets as last time Chris Ramsey was in the City his show sold out.This is stand up like no other and Chris Ramsey is critically acclaimed and an award winner.

One day a group of ladies decided to create something amazing. This is now Calendar Girls The Musical. A Musical comedy with amazing West End reviews is now vising Leicester with a jaw dropping cast of stars.

On the 11^th September 2018 England will play Switzerland at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.

Hilarious comedy, filthy innuendos with no apologies fun.

Amazing firework displays over the night sky, mouth-watering exotic aromas of Indian cuisine, open air music, and celebration of lights – everywhere – Diwali Leicester – a glorious sight.

Do you think your brave enough? Try Xtreme located at Twinlakes. Think twice as Scarecon have voted this epic Scream Park No1.

This is a two week focus on the joy and celebration of cycling.

Leicester is a City of many cultures and traditions. Spend the day at the Caribbean festival which is full of colourful, celebrations and atmosphere.

When organizing a corporate conference in Leicester, it is important to know what facilities they have. Choosing the right hotel as a conference venue can really make a difference and it is beneficial to know in advance exactly what you require from a meeting place before booking.

We get it, searching for wedding venues in Leicester can be quite a daunting task. The selection is vast and it’s extremely difficult to decide which venue is best for you. The most important thing to consider is location.

Conference rooms in Leicestershire are a fantastic option when hosting a business meeting away from your usual company office spaces.