A sweet surprise as Christmas prep ramps up

Preparations for Christmas at Highcross Leicester are in full swing, with this year's festivities set to feature a free pop-up panto experience, the centre’s first-ever festive food and gift fayre, and brand-new decorations inspired by a candy cane wonderland.

The seasonal celebrations will take place from 14 November, right through to 29 December, where visitors can enjoy a series of free activities scattered throughout the centre.

Kicking off the festivities is Highcross’ very first Christmas food fayre, beginning on 14 November and running until 29th of December. Taking place in St. Peter’s Square, the hub for all food and dining at the centre, the event will shine a light on a number of businesses, each offering a range of products from Yorkshire pudding wraps and cheese gift sets to mulled wine and special seasonal treats like cheesecake on a stick.

Shoppers visiting the city will have plenty to choose from, as the centre’s event will also complement the food and drink market being hosted by Leicester City Council, on Gallowtree Gate, between 13 November to 28 December.

Additionally, in the centre, shoppers will be greeted by brand new, eco-friendly decorations, themed to a candy cane wonderland, which are set to be officially lit - by stars from the Leicester Riders - on 19 November at 7 pm. Among the decorations will be hanging sweets, a giant ‘candy chandelier’, and festive photo opportunities, including a giant light-up present and a candy cane chair, perfect for capturing the moment.

Finally, each Saturday from 22 November to 20 December, with an extra special final performance on Tuesday 23 December, visitors to the centre can enjoy a ‘he’s behind you’ moment at The Candy Cane Factory: A Pop-up Panto experience. Featuring Santa himself, families can help his elves save Christmas, return the spirit of the season to Leicester and get a peek into Santa's colourful workshop.

Located on the upper mall, next to River Island, this is the first pop-up panto experience the centre has held. Featuring all the much-loved traditions you would expect, including unique interactions with both Santa and his team of elves and memorable songs, visitors will be able to enjoy 15 performances a day, running from 12-7 pm. Visitors are encouraged to join the queue by no later than 5 pm. Voluntary donations to the centre’s chosen charity, LOROS, will also be encouraged via a nearby tap and go system located on the unit.

Speaking about the centre’s upcoming Christmas celebrations, Michelle Menezes, Centre Director at Highcross Leicester, said:

“This will be my first Christmas at Highcross since joining the team in January 2025, and we wanted to make it extra special. That’s why we've unveiled not one, but three brand new experiences at the centre this year. These include the debut of our new sweet-inspired decorations, each made using eco-friendly materials, our free pop-up panto where visitors can get a peek behind the curtain into Santa’s workshop and help his elves save Christmas, and the arrival of our festive food and gift fayre.

“It's been such an exciting year at Highcross, from kicking off the year with our new look, and hosting a series of fun, community-focused events, to inviting no less than 8 new brands into the centre. Because of that, we wanted to end the year on a high and pull out a show-stopping Christmas, one with a series of firsts for the centre. We can't wait to see visitors come through our doors to experience a little bit of Christmas magic with us this year.”

Additional festive events, set to take place throughout the festive period, involve a series of performances from local choirs, including the Salvation Army and LOROS’s own choir.

For further information about Highcross and upcoming events, visit www.highcrossleicester.com/. Or, to share your festive photographs with the team, follow the centre’s social media channels – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.