Hundreds of pupils to take part in festival parade
Jesse LindemannMore than 300 schoolchildren will parade through Leicester to open a free festival as it returns to the city for the first time in three years.
The Light Up Leicester festival will include projections, light and sound installations plus interactive performances by local and international artists.
Leicester City Council says the parade, which starts at 11:00 GMT on 12 March, is inspired by Richard III and the city's diverse cultural heritage
The festival will finish on 15 March.
'Extraordinary performances'
More than the 80,000 people attended the event when it was last held in 2022, according to the city council.
The festival will feature a range of events, including a light, paint and dance performance by Nupur Arts at the Clocktower at 18:30 on 14 March.
The final night will see a performance delivered by French street theatre company Compagnie des Quidams featuring giant illuminated horses.
It will run from New Walk to The Circle at 19:00.
There will also be a trail of illuminated artworks on display for each of the festival's four days.
Assistant city mayor Vi Dempster said: "For four nights in March, Leicester will come alive with light and colour, with extraordinary performances and installations by international artists that people will be able to enjoy free of charge."
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