So, here we are in September!
The children are back at school and we're at the end of the summer (although hopefully there will be a few more warm, sunny days for us to enjoy!)
One thing is for sure - it's going to be a busy month in Leicestershire, with lots of brilliant events happening.
Whether you fancy a night out with friends or a day of fun with the family, there's plenty of things that you can get involved in.
Here's a few suggestions of things to do in September:
Grease the Musical, Curve, Leicester - Tue, Sept 3 - Sat, Sept 14
Tell me more, Tell me more....
OK - Grease is coming to Leicester, starring none other than Peter Andre! Yes, he'll be appearing as Teen Angel in selected performances (Sept 10-14) of this brand new production of the world's all time favourite musical.
After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more?
Tickets £10-£45. Click here to book.
The Victory Show, Foxlands Farm, Cosby - Fri, Sept 6 - Sun, Sept 8
This brilliant show - billed as the country’s largest WWII weekend - will feature an impressive line-up of WWII aircraft along with the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team.
The event begins with an educational day for school children and their teachers on the Friday, then on Saturday and Sunday, the show will be in full swing with model aircraft, military vehicles, tanks and the largest collection of 1940’s living history displays in the UK.
The air show - featuring WWII aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, and P-51 Mustang - will take place each day, as well as the UK’s largest WWII battle re-enactment. New for this year, the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will display on both days.
The event will run from 9am until 5pm each day.
Ticket prices (cash only on the gate): Adult £20, children (under 16 years) £10, infants up to two years free.
Western Park Beer Festival, St Anne's Hall, Letchworth Road, Western Park - Fri, Sept 6 and Sat, Sept 7
As well as a great selection of keg and craft beer, you can enjoy cider, prosecco, gin, cocktails, pizza, samosas and pub snacks.
There will be three sessions across Friday and Saturday, including the family session on Saturday afternoon with fun and games for the whole family.
Session times are Friday 5pm - 12am, Saturday 12pm - 5pm (family session) and 6pm - 12am.
The event will be raising money for Leicester Home-Start Horizons, Coram Adoption East Midlands and Leicester Wheels for All, plus supporting WWCE's Project Hive.
Canteen Harborough, The Square Market Harborough - Fri, Sept 6 and 7
Expect some of the best street food traders in the UK together with awesome drinks, entertainment and music.
On Friday, September 6, the event will run from 4pm until 10.30pm (food until 10pm) and traders will include The Gravy Train Poutine, Jade Rabbit UK, That's Mature and Platinum Pancakes.
On Saturday, September 7, the event will run from 12pm until 10.30pm (food until 10pm) and traders will include The Gravy Train Poutine, Stripclub Streetfood, That SmokeTruck, That's Mature and The Cookie Mumster.
Hoptimism Is Turning 5! The Two-Tailed Lion, Leicester - Sat, Sept 7
Loughborough-based 'One stop hop shop' Hoptimism is celebrating its fifth birthday, by taking over the taps - four cask and six keg - at The Two-Tailed Lion.
The beers available will be those that have all been brewed in collaboration, or specially commissioned, by Hoptimism.
Alongside the beer there will be cake and nibbles, plus a chance to win exclusive beery goodies!
The event will run from 12pm until 11pm.
Lubenham Scarecrow Festival, Lubenham near Market Harborough - Sat, Sept 7 and Sun, Sept 8
Every September, the Scarecrows take over Lubenham village.
Expect imaginative, funny and often daft scarecrows which are sure to delight visitors.
There will also be food, music and stalls.
The event will run from 11am until 6pm both days.
The Edible Forest, Charnwood - Sat, Sept 7 - Sun, Sept 15
Leicestershire's annual Edible Forest Festival is back - with the aim of celebrating the best in local food and drink at unique and iconic settings around the ancient woodland of Charnwood Forest.
Events include afternoon tea in Old John Tower in Bradgate Park, family fun (including a tractor ride!) at Stonehurst Farm, dining under the stars in a unique dining pods, and a Safari Supper around Charnwood’s finest eateries.
Click here to visit the festival's website.
Steam, Sail and Model Engineering Fun Day, Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester - Sun, Sept 8
This is a new event at Abbey Pumping Station, so why not go along and see what the team has been able to conjure up with a sandpit and sailing pond, and view model engineering projects in all scales.
The event will run from 12pm until 5pm. Entry prices: £3.50 adult, £2.50 child/concession, £8.00 family. Small charge for train rides.
Great Central Railway Beer Festival, Loughborough Thur, Sept 12 - Sun, Sept 15
Great Central Railway's annual beer festival returns for its 12th year and will feature 70 guest beers, plus ciders and perry.
Trains are running on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a variety of both steam and diesel power.
The festival starts on Thursday, September 12, at midday.
It costs £4 to enter the event at Loughborough but entry is free to anyone buying a ticket to travel on the trains that weekend. Normal train fares apply (adult all day roundabout £18.00).
Click here to visit the GCR website to book online.
Cirque du Y, The Y Theatre, Leicester - Fri, Sept 13
Roll up... Roll up... for a charity fundraiser with a Twist.
The ringmaster is ready to welcome you to a melange of circus, magic and burlesque mixed up with some of Leicester's freshest live bands. There will be a well-stocked bar and buffet, not to mention popcorn and candy floss.
Supported by Gallagher, Next, Westerby and RSM UK, the night will raise funds for young people living at The Y who have experienced homelessness, family breakdown, mental health issues or abuse.
Begins 6pm. Tickets from £22.75.
Heritage Open Days, Leicester - Fri, Sept 13 - Sun, Sept 22
Here's your once a year opportunity to discover Leicester's hidden heritage.
Leicester’s heritage buildings, parks, universities, businesses, creative venues and faith buildings will once again stage events to reveal their stories and unseen heritage to visitors.
Sites ranging from secret wartime military installations to disused tunnels under the city to the towers inside Leicester Cathedral will be available to explore.
There will even be a chance to glimpse backstage at De Montfort Hall.
Click here to find out more.
Rare Foods Festival, Round Corner Brewing, Melton Mowbray - Sat, Sept 14
In you're pretty adventurous when it comes to food, then this is the event for you!
Visitors will have the chance to try the likes of testicles, brains, scorpions and grubs at the event, which is being held in Round Corner Brewing's taproom at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market.
The quirky event has been created by the Round Corner team, who were inspired by the annual Traditional and Native Breeds Sale, which has been held at the market for decades.
The festival will feature between 10 and 20 rare food producers and there will be an emphasis on rare cuts of meat (including testicles, brains and offal) and unusual animals (scorpions, grubs, unusual birds and game).
In addition, guests will find local delicacies such as pies (although the fillings may be a bit out of the ordinary) and Stilton cheese.
All foods will be prepared and served by restaurants and food businesses from across the country and visitors will be able to wash them down with one of Round Corner's beers.
Plus, those feeling brave will have the opportunity to take on Round Corner's co-founder and master brewer Colin Paige in an eating challenge.
Entry to the Rare Foods Festival is free of charge.
Where to Vegan 100% Vegan Event, New Market Square, Leicester - Sat, Sept 14
Website WhereToVegan has teamed up with Leicester City Council to launch this new monthly 100 % vegan event in the New Market Square.
Expect food, drinks, music, organic products, and a great atmosphere.
Traders include Huns Vegan, The Loving Kebab, Currant Affairs, Healthy Louisa, No Baloney UK, Home Kitchen - The Vegan Indian Thali Company, Baked by Neelu, Rose of Laurel, Make Up Me Up, Zawadee Nature's Gift, Vegan Junk and Native Kanza.
The event will run from 10am until 5pm.
Belgrave Food and Garden Festival, Belgrave Hall, Leicester - Sat, Sept 14 - Sun, Sept 15
This popular event showcases products from local suppliers in the beautiful setting of Belgrave Hall and Gardens.
Enjoy a variety of sweet and savoury treats, including vegan and gluten-free options, plus hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages. There will also be plants for sale.
Demonstrations, talks and children's activities will be available on the day.
The event will run from 11am until 4pm.
Price: Adults £2.50, free for under 13s (no concessions).
Sunday at the Musicals, Leicester Haymarket Theatre - Sun, Sept 15
In aid of Leicestershire hospice LOROS, this star-studded concert will feature The X Factor winner Sam Bailey, West End performer Darren Day and former Blue singer Antony Costa.
The production will be hosted by Christopher Biggins and will have a large cast, including West End singers, who will each perform songs from past and present musicals, accompanied by pianist, James Church.
Tickets cost £21.50 and can be booked by calling the box office on 0116 296 1236 or by visiting the theatre's website here.
Arts Fresco, Market Harborough - Sun, Sept 15
There will be open air entertainment for all ages when Arts Fresco, one of the largest, free street theatre festivals in the UK, returns to Market Harborough.
This year’s event, taking place in the streets of the town from 11am to 4pm, will feature some intriguing, exciting, fun and interactive performances from professional UK and international street artists.
Artists will include The Bubble Wizard who will take on the town, placing spectators in bubbles and making ingenious bubble hats for passers by, Gran Turismo who will race up and down the High Street on top of their motorised scooters, encouraging spectators to join in with their spectacular routines, seven-piece outfit, King Brasstards, who will be taking their New Orleans-inspired versions of well-known songs around the town, stopping off along the way to get the crowd dancing.
A children’s village, supported by the Market Harborough Building Society, will feature circus workshops, entertainment and more.
For more information, click here to visit the Arts Fresco website.
Hinckley BID 9th Annual Motorshow, Hinckley town centre - Sun, Sept 15
You'll be able to see hundreds of classic vehicles and vehicles of special interest in Hinckley town centre and Argents Mead.
There will be entertainment for the children too, and many of the town's cafes, bars and shops will be open.
Free entry. The event will run from 10am until 4.30pm.
Station Open Day, Leicester Southern Fire and Rescue Station, Meridian East, Leicester - Sun, Sept 15
This fun, free event will include a range of attractions and activities, including 'soak the firefighter', count the balloons competition, road safety virtual reality car, Lester the lion, and a barbecue.
The event will run from 10am until 4pm.
D-Day Darlings Afternoon Tea, Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse Eaves - Sun, Sept 15
Join the D-Day darlings - as seen on Britain's Got Talent - for a WWII themed afternoon tea with homemade sandwiches and cakes and a pot of tea, plus historical entertainment.
Performances will take place at 2.15pm and 4.15pm (arrive 15 minutes before)
Tickets cost £28.50 per person. Pre-booking is essential. Call 01509 890 119 to reserve a table.
Leicester International Music Festival, New Walk Museum - Thur, Sept 19 - Sun, Sept 22
Here's your chance to enjoy live music, played by some of the world’s best musicians in the beautiful Victorian Gallery.
The festival's artistic director is Nicholas Daniel, winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1980 and now acknowledged globally as one of the greatest oboe players.
Every year, he assembles a team of friends and colleagues from around the world to work in Leicester for a week in order to create a unique series of concerts.
This year's theme, Finding Your Soul, derives from Oprah Winfrey, who wrote that your twenties were all about ‘finding your soul’. So the music for the festival features pieces by the youthful Mozart and Schubert as well as the young British composer and clarinetist, Mark Simpson, who will be at the festival.
There are evening concerts (7.30pm) on all three days and lunchtime concerts (1- 2pm) on Thursday and Friday, as well as a free Family Fun Event on Saturday from 12 -1pm. Free tickets are available to anyone 25 and under, thanks to support from the Cavatina Music Trust.
Tickets can be purchased online here, or at New Walk Museum.
Dine in the Dark, National Space Centre, Leicester - Sat, Sept 28
Leicester foodies are being invited to take part in an eating out event with a difference. 'Dine in the Dark', hosted by the National Space Centre in conjunction with sight loss charity RNIB, will be a journey through the senses - except one.
Diners will be served a five-course tasting menu while wearing glasses provided by RNIB. Some will simulate blindness and some will simulate visual impairments, meaning guests will not be able to properly see - or see at all - what they are eating.
Things to do in Leicestershire
The attraction has also worked with Everards, Majestic and Gelato Village to put on the event, which is hosted for charity.
Tickets cost £70 per adult (18+ only) and include wine tasting, five course tasting menu, and entry to the National Space Centre, including galleries. Click here to book.
