Leicester city council have announced they will be investing £88,000 into this years Diwali celebrations in Leicester.

In recent years, the city’s Diwali celebrations – which attract about 35,000 people to Leicester – have been criticised as ‘stale’, so the city council have taken action this year.

The centrepiece of the 2015 Diwali celebrations will be a specially constructed 110-foot Ferris wheel, which will be located just off Belgrave Road.

The ‘Wheel of Light’ will arrive at the start of half-term (16 October), and will last until the end of Diwali (15 November).

The Ferris wheel will be illuminated at night to provide a stunning showpiece of the celebrations.

Following Diwali, the wheel will then be moved to Jubilee Square in time for Christmas.

Other new features this year include a parade through the city centre on Saturday 7 November, Indian cookery demonstrations at Leicester Market, a Diwali Mela Bazaatr on Humberstone Gate West, an art exhibition at the Peepul Centre and loads more.

See the full Leicester Diwali 2015 schedule at the Visit Leicester site.

Piara Singh Clair, the assistant city mayor for culture, leisure and sport said of the plans:

Diwali is always a fantastic time in Leicester, but this year it will be bigger and brighter than ever as we introduce our two-week long Diwali Leicester Festival.

As well as the traditional activities and wonderful food and shopping on the Golden Mile, this year we will also have activities in the city centre, in our libraries and museums, and even at the football stadium.

The Diwali festivities kick off on Sunday 1 November on Belgrave Road, where a vibrant stage programme is planned at 5.30pm to build up to the switching-on of the lights at 7.30pm.

There will also be a spectacular firework show on Cossington Street Recreation Ground starting at 8pm.

What do you think of the new Diwali Festival plans? Are you planning on attending this year? Join the discussion in the comments below…

Comments

comments