Curtain up! 10 theatre shows in Leicester to book before the end of 2026
Looking for an excuse to swap Netflix for a night at the theatre?
From world premieres and West End musicals to murder mysteries, Christmas classics and a certain chocolate factory full of Oompa Loompas, Leicester’s theatres have plenty lined up for the rest of 2026. Whether you’re a lifelong theatre lover or just fancy trying something different with friends, here’s our pick of the shows worth putting in the diary.
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
📍 The Little Theatre
📅 8 June – 13 June
Sherlock Holmes meets fast-paced comedy in this inventive adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Featuring a small cast playing dozens of characters, it’s clever, funny and brilliantly entertaining.
Perfect for: Mystery lovers and anyone who likes their crime-solving with a side of comedy.
The Incident Room
📍 The Little Theatre
📅 22 June – 27 July
Based on the true story of the Yorkshire Ripper investigation, this gripping drama explores one of Britain’s most infamous criminal cases and the detectives working against the clock to solve it.
Perfect for: Fans of true crime podcasts and crime dramas.
Waitress
📍 Curve
📅 20 – 25 July
One of the most-loved modern musicals arrives in Leicester this summer. Featuring music by Sara Bareilles, Waitress follows pie-maker Jenna as she dreams of a fresh start, serving up plenty of laughs, heart and songs you’ll be humming all the way home.
Perfect for: Musical fans and anyone who enjoys a feel-good night out.
The Silence of the Lambs
📍 Curve
📅 1 – 15 August
Not every theatre trip involves jazz hands and show tunes.
Curve hosts the world stage premiere of The Silence of the Lambs this August, bringing Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling to the stage for the very first time. Expect tension, suspense and plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments. Not one for the faint-hearted.
Perfect for: Thriller fans and lovers of dark drama.
Barnum
📍 Curve
📅 1 – 5 September
Step right up.
This spectacular musical tells the story of legendary showman P.T. Barnum and promises circus acts, acrobatics, live music and all the theatrical spectacle you could possibly want. It’s basically the closest thing you’ll get to a circus and a musical rolled into one.
Perfect for: Families, musical lovers and anyone who likes a bit of wow-factor.
Qawwali Live: A Soulful Sufi Experience
📍 The Y Theatre
📅 11 October
Something completely different.
This immersive live performance celebrates the rich traditions of Qawwali music and Sufi culture, offering a powerful evening of music, storytelling and atmosphere.
Perfect for: Music lovers looking to experience something new.
The Great British Bake Off Musical
📍 The Little Theatre
📅 13 – 17 October
Ready, steady, bake!
Everyone’s favourite baking competition comes to the stage in this warm and witty musical comedy. Follow a group of hopeful contestants as they whisk, knead and bake their way through the competition, with plenty of laughs, catchy songs and cake-related chaos along the way.
Perfect for: Bake Off fans and anyone who enjoys a feel-good night at the theatre. 🍰🎭
Ginger Johnson: Show Pony
📍 The Y Theatre
📅 16 October
Following her rise to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Ginger Johnson brings comedy, cabaret and chaos to Leicester for one night only.
Expect big laughs, bigger costumes and a night that definitely won’t be boring.
Perfect for: Comedy fans and anyone who loves a bit of camp theatrical fun.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
📍 Curve
📅 21 November 2026 – 9 January 2027
Leicester has officially got the golden ticket.
Curve’s big Christmas production for 2026 brings Roald Dahl’s classic story to life with Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket, chocolate rivers, Oompa Loompas and enough theatrical magic to make you feel like a kid again. This one will almost certainly be one of the hottest tickets of the festive season.
Perfect for: Families, Christmas outings and anyone who secretly wants an everlasting gobstopper.
Dick Whittington
📍 The Little Theatre
📅 12 December – 4 January
Because it wouldn’t be Christmas without shouting at a stage.
The Little Theatre’s annual pantomime promises all the traditional ingredients: terrible jokes, audience participation, larger-than-life characters and enough “he’s behind you!” moments to last until January.
Perfect for: Families and festive fun.
What’s on your theatre wishlist?
Whether you’re heading to a blockbuster musical at Curve, discovering something new at The Y, or settling in for a festive favourite at The Little Theatre, there’s plenty to look forward to in Leicester before the year is out.
Got your eye on something we’ve missed? Let us know and we’ll add it to our next theatre round-up.
