Get ready to take a trip to outer space as Leicester celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings with a series of special events, including a special outdoor cinema screening on Jubilee Square.
Yes, on 20 July 1969 the world watched in awe as the Apollo 11 mission sent the first humans to the moon and now One Giant Leap has been programmed to commemorate the historic event.
Intergalactic Outdoor Cinema
It all kicks off on Friday 19 July when Jubilee Square will be turned into an outdoor cinema, with everyone invited to a free blockbuster movie screening under the stars.
The chosen film is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12A). Guaranteed to transport viewers to a galaxy far, far away! The story follows Jyn, the daughter of an Imperial scientist, as she joins the Rebel Alliance in a daring plot to steal the Death Star plans.
If you want to head down, admission is free and the film is set to start at 9pm. Local businesses, Peter Pizzeria and Gelato Village will be there to keep you fed and Wygston’s House will be providing bar services throughout the event so you can enjoy your drinks on the square. Customers are encouraged to bring a folding chair to guarantee themselves a comfy spot and also a blanket and warm clothes. There may be a few showers expected but the event will most definitely still be going ahead, so let’s all wrap up and enjoy the film!
CreatACon in Space
The fun doesn’t end there, as CreateACon in Space is also taking place at Haymarket Theatre on Saturday 20 July. Families are invited to get involved in the free STEM arts event, with a variety of activities on offer to get young people hands on and excited by science and technology. There’ll be space-themed video games made by Leicester students, Micro:Bit-powered lunar landers and Mars rovers, physics experiments and more. Head down between 11am – 4pm to join in.
Space Lates
Of course, the National Space Centre are involved too and they’ll be kicking off their summer of Apollo 11 fun with a special Space Lates event, offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend the whole night reliving that historic moment 50 years ago. Yes, you event get to sleep over! Enjoy a full evening of lunar mission workshops and fun, 1960s science, music, food, fashion, and family storytelling at bedtime, before settling down to sleep in the heart of the Museum. There’ll event be a super special film showing in the Planetarium.
Visit the National Space Centre website for full info, tickets and FAQ.
Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester – one of the funders of the One Giant Leap programme – commented, “BID Leicester is really excited to be supporting the One Giant Leap programme of events to commemorate the Apollo moon landing. Leicester has a strong connection to space and is home to the National Space Centre, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate this anniversary in style.
“With so many fantastic events planned as part of One Giant Leap there is something for everyone to enjoy and it will be great for families. I hope the upcoming summer events – the Intergalactic Outdoor Cinema and CreateACon in Space – will encourage people to visit and enjoy the city centre.”
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More fun and activities will be taking place over the coming weeks and also in October half term when it’s National Space Week, so keep your eye on the full One Giant Leap programme over at onegiantleap-leicester.co.uk.
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