Leicester's Planet Parade: A Cosmic Art Walk for All Ages!

Leicester is about to host an exciting new event called Planet Parade, which will transform the city centre into a walkable solar system. This unique art and science trail is the result of a collaboration between more than 250 school children and local artists, who have designed and created planets that will be displayed at different venues across the city. The Planet Parade is free for everyone and will run from 30 March to 31 May, giving people plenty of time to explore and enjoy the creative displays.

The project is a partnership between the National Space Centre and BID Leicester, with extra support from the DMUEngagement community challenge fund. The main aim is to encourage people to discover more about Leicester by combining art, science, and creativity. Artist Marcus Dove played a big role in the project, especially in co-creating the planets Mars and Neptune. He worked closely with children, helping them turn their ideas into real pieces of art. To follow the trail, visitors can use the My Leicester App or pick up paper maps at each location, making it easy for everyone to join in.

Some of the main locations for the planets include the National Space Centre, which will feature the Sun, and the Jewry Wall and Roman Baths, where Venus will be displayed. Jupiter can be found at the Haymarket Shopping Centre. The launch event will take place today, starting with a parade at 16:30 BST from Leicester Cathedral to Haymarket Shopping Centre. After the parade, there will be performances and activities by young dancers and musicians from the Moving Together and Pedestrian groups. Chas Bishop, the chief executive of the National Space Centre, described the initiative as a fantastic celebration of creativity and teamwork. Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester, said that Planet Parade is a great way to bring the city together and encourage families to explore Leicester, support local venues, and appreciate the incredible work created by young people and artists. The event is expected to attract many visitors and inspire the community to see their city in a new and imaginative way.