De Montfort Hall is getting ready for a summer of music, laughter and fireworks to celebrate its centenary year.
The venue is staging a series of special events from June 16 to July 28, with musicians, actors and comedians performing in the hall and gardens to mark the occasion.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman will be the star of a tea dance on the opening day, while Wynne Evans, one of the UK's leading tenors - probably best known as the star of the Go Compare TV adverts - will be performing in July.
The closing weekend will be a showcase of Leicester's music scene, to make up for the absence of the Summer Sundae festival this year. This will be run in conjunction with promoters from The Musician, The Donkey and Firebug, along with the BBC Introducing programme, hosted by Dean Jackson.
As well as being the venue's centenary year, it is also its first full year under new general manager Antony Flint, who said he was keen to put on more open-air theatre.
He said: "From the first time I saw the hall's gardens I wanted to make more use of our outdoor space and the centenary has given us a real opportunity to do that.
"The wide range of summer events will, I hope, allow a large number of people to come and celebrate our centenary with us."
Kicking off the events on June 16 will be a centenary tea dance with music, led by Mr Goodman, to celebrate the spirit of the 1930s and 40s.
On Saturday, July 6, organisers of the Leicester Comedy Festival will be putting on shows at a marquee in the gardens.
The first open-air play will be Babe the Sheep Pig on Saturday, July 13, which will be followed the next day by an al fresco performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado.
Ahead of each outdoor show, the public will be invited to have a picnic in the gardens.
Also among the main events of the summer will be a concert of classical music, followed by a fireworks display, on July 20.
Leicester Symphony Orchestra will perform with the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, with Mr Evans singing as guest soloist. The night will features a mix of popular classics from films and television shows.
During the final weekend, on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday 28, local music talent will be celebrated, with performances from bands and musicians inside and outside the hall.
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor responsible for culture, said: "De Montfort Hall has a very special place in Leicester's heart and it's great to see a summer programme with such broad appeal.
"It's also good to see that it connects well with other key cultural partners and businesses in the city such as the comedy festival and the music venues.
"It all looks very exciting and I am looking forward to it very much."
To book tickets, visit: www.demontforthall.co.uk
