Thousands expected for Leicester's Eid ul-Adha Victoria Park celebrations

Thousands will attend Leicester’s major Eid ul-Adha Festival celebrations this weekend. Organisers are hoping this year’s spectacle will attract as many as possible with food and fairground rides.

The celebrations take place this Sunday (June 16) and Monday (June 17) at Leicester’s Victoria Park to mark Eid-ul-Adha, which is also known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’. The day is one of the biggest religious celebrations in the Islamic religion and is the second Eid Festival this year after events marked Eid ul-Fitr in April after the month-long fast for Ramadan came to an end.

Victoria Park will be the hub of excitement, with around 30,000 expected to attend a series of events. Alongside the main prayer, the park will be transformed into an area of celebration with funfair rides as well as food and drinks stalls, games, archery and Islamic vocal music to bring Leicester together as one - regardless of religion.

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This year marks 10 years since the first Eid ul-Adha celebration on Victoria Park. Back then, 2,500 people took part, but it has grown every year with tens of thousands expected to turn out in 2024.

Leicester City Council is working with Muslim charities, Leicester Community Assist (LCA) and Eid Prayer and Festival (EPF), to put together this year’s Eid-ul-Adha Prayer and Festival event. Leicester Community Assist, which is a partner of the EPF, has been involved in the relief of poverty in Leicester and Leicestershire for many years, delivering food supplies to families in need.

This year they established a new charity – the Eid Prayer and Festival – specifically to raise funds for the celebration events. Entry to the event is free on both days, but donations are encouraged.

Dr Abu Salam from the EPF said: “The two Eid celebrations are the most important in the Islamic calendar. We would like to welcome people from all communities to enjoy the cultural celebrations and enhance the harmony that Leicester enjoys as a multi-cultural city. These events are funded by the community, and we strongly believe they should remain non-profitable, community events, funded by the donations of the public, and we welcome any support to help us maintain this.”

What is Eid ul-Adha?

The Islamic calendar follows the 12-month lunar calendar which means the dates of both Eids change each year. ‘The Feast of Sacrifice’ highlights the story of the prophet Ibrahim (also known as Abraham in other faiths) in the Quran. Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son, Ismail, under the instruction of God.

Muslims believe that because of Ibrahim’s obedience, God quickly intervened and replaced his son with a ram. Even today, Muslims slaughter an animal to honour Ibrahim’s sacrifice, and distribute the meat to those in need.

Traditionally, the day is spent celebrating with loved ones, and gifts are distributed. The Victoria Park celebrations aim to bring thousands of people together in a way that allows everyone to mark Eid ul-Adha.

Leicester City Council hope this year’s celebrations will see many more people turn up. Graham Callister, head of festivals, events and cultural policy at the city council said: “The Eid prayers event on Victoria Park has been part of the city’s festival calendar for many years but is perhaps not as well-known as other events in the city. We are very pleased to be working with the charities to raise the profile of the event, and to encourage people to join in with the cultural and family activities on the park.”

The Eid-ul-Adha Prayer and Festival event runs from 9am to 9pm on Sunday (June 16) and from 12pm to 9pm on Monday (June 17). More information can be found on the city council’s website.

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