Eight giant illuminated monsters will take over rooftops and unexpected corners across Leicester city centre this autumn as the popular 'Leicester Monsters' trail returns following its hugely successful debut, which brought more than 80,000 visitors into the city.
Event Dates and Details
Running from Thursday, October 22 to Saturday, October 31, 2026, the free event will transform the city centre into a giant monster-hunting playground just in time for the October half-term and Halloween period. Presented by BID Leicester, with support from Leicester City Council and Leicester Cathedral, the attraction is one of the UK's largest free Halloween events of its kind.
Families are invited to explore the city in search of larger-than-life characters created by internationally renowned artists Filthy Luker & Pedro Estrellas. Visitors can expect to discover giant tentacles bursting through windows, bony fingers creeping over rooftops, and curious eyeballs peering from treetops.
Interactive Experience and Prizes
Trail panels will reveal the unique personality behind every creature, while visitors can check in using the My Leicester app for the chance to unlock special prizes. The event will also coincide with Leicester Restaurant Week, which runs from Tuesday, October 20 to Sunday, November 2. The two-week culinary celebration will see local restaurants, cafés, and bars offering fixed-price menus and exclusive dining deals, making it easy to combine monster hunting with a meal out.
Community and Economic Impact
Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester, said: "Leicester Monsters captured people's imaginations when it first arrived in 2023 and quickly became one of the city's most-loved events. Ever since then, we've been asked when the monsters would be coming back, so we're delighted to finally be able to announce their return. We're looking forward to welcoming families back into the city centre this October for another monster-sized adventure."
Further Information
Further details, including the full monster line-up, trail map, competition details, and accompanying activities, will be announced over the coming weeks. More information about the free event can be found on the official BID Leicester website. All images are credited to Alex Hannam.
