About this event
Join us at the University's beautiful Botanic Garden on Sunday 6 September 2026, from 11.00am onwards, for our Community Festival, proudly sponsored by Rockstar Promotions.
We have lined up some fantastic activities, food and entertainment for all ages. Bookmark this page for updates.
Attractions already confirmed include:
Outdoors
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Musical performances by The Wigston Brass Band (12.00pm-12.45pm and 1.45pm-2.30pm), Oh My Dhol (1.45pm-2.30pm), Contrast Steel Band (2.30pm-4.00pm) as well as a DJ.
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Children’s activities include free face painting from Flutterby Face Painting, free arts and crafts provided by Attenborough Arts Centre and a free Minibeast Stampers Hunt from the Botanic Garden Education team.
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Free henna designs by ZARX HENNA
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A selection of outdoor games, bouncy castle and nine-hole crazy golf course.
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Local food vendors including a BBQ from Leicester Food and Drink, Hot Potato Shop, coffee from Bada Bean and an ice cream van.
Inside Beaumont House
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Enjoy our local mini-market, such as the Graphite Botanist, Maisie Makes, a popular coffee vendor, the University of Leicester Archaeological society and more. The University Science Kitchen will also be attending selling focaccias inspired by the Botanic Garden and serving up its Festival favourite liquid nitrogen ice cream.
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New for 2026! There will be a farm-themed soft play area inside, complete with a ball pit, slide, rockers and horse hoppers. Suitable for under 3s only.
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Gardens Director, plantsman, garden designer and BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Nick Bailey will be giving three exclusive, 30 minute tours of the new World Food Garden. As tours are limited to 25 people, you must book a ticket for a tour - book your tickets.
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Join the Friends of the Botanic Garden and Botanic Garden Director, Nick Bailey, in the Wedgewood Room for an insightful look into the garden’s future. Hear about exciting future developments and get an inside look at the Botanic Garden’s 10-year master plan.
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Free public engagement talks for children and adults will take place throughout the day, schedule to be confirmed.
Tickets
There is a small admission fee, with ticket prices listed below. Tickets are available to purchase online.
- Adult, £3.00
- Child (5-15), £1.00
- Under 5s, Free
- University of Leicester student (with valid student ID), £1.00
- University of Leicester staff (with valid staff ID), £2.00
- University of Leicester alumni, £2.00
- Senior (65+), £2.00
- Family ticket (covers two adults and up to three children), £6.00
Location and parking
The Botanic Garden is situated about three miles south-east of Leicester city centre, opposite Leicester Racecourse. There are two entrances to the festival: Entrance 1 is on Glebe Road, LE2 2LD, Entrance 2 is at Beaumont Hall on Stoughton Drive South LE2 2NA.
View a map of the available car parks at the Botanic Garden (PDF, 101kb)
Parking at the festival is limited, so we strongly encourage you consider using public transport, or walking/cycling to get to the event. Public transport routes can be found online.
If arriving by car, please use the free, designated university car parks (listed below) and refer to the map for their locations. We will be offering blue badge parking on a first come, first serve basis in Beaumont House. Additional disabled car parking spaces can be seen on the car parking map. To respect our garden’s neighbours, please avoid parking on nearby residential streets, ensure driveways remain clear, keep noise to a minimum and take all litter home with you.
University car parks:
- Lasdun (near Rosenfels) - Lasdun, Stoughton Drive South, LE2 2ND
- Bowder Court/Southmeade Court - 17 Southmeads Road, LE2 2LR
- The Coppice - 1 Manor Road, LE2 2LG
- Stamford Court - Manor Road, LE2 2LG
- The Pavilions/John Foster - John Foster Hall, 15 Manor Road, LE2 2LG
- Disabled parking can be found at the Beaumont House car parks
