Love was in the air as part of the city centre was transformed with colourful and vibrant mix of stalls and performers.
Streets and arcades were packed as visitors to Leicester enjoyed the varied attractions of the Love Lanes festival yesterday.
Traders set up stalls in and around The Lanes area of the city, and there were attractions including workshops, demonstrations, live music, dancers, a fashion show and comedy performances.
The aim of the event was to showcase everything The Lanes area, which is packed with independent businesses, has to offer.
Among the highlights was the unveiling of Leicestershire artist Shauna Richardson's latest creations - a host of crocheted animals in an empty shop in Cank Street.
Her work included a collection of life-size crocheted animals, including a warthog, a brown bear, a coyote and a lion.
Festival organiser Georgie Tansell, manager of the Sue Ryder vintage shop, in Loseby Lane, said the event had been a huge success and brought double the number of shoppers to The Lanes.
She said: "We normally see about 2,500 people come down here on a Saturday and today we have had about 5,000.
"It has been absolutely fabulous. The people in Leicester have responded brilliantly."
Shopper Aleksandra Kosiacka, of Thurnby Lodge, said the festival was "awesome".
The 18-year-old said: "This has brought me down here to have a proper look at the shops, and they are fab.
"The vibe here is so much cooler than the main high street. The things they have for sale are great. I love it."
Colin and Helen Quinn, of Coalville, had made a special trip to the city to visit the festival.
Colin, 54, said: "I think this is wonderful. The festival has a lovely feel to it.
"We love Leicester because it's always so friendly and there is so much to see."
Helen, 47, said: "All these shops down here are interesting. It's such a pretty area and deserves to be shown off like this."
Shopper Alice Smith, 18, of Western Park, said the choice of independent shops was surprising.
"I really like the fact that the stuff you can buy has a really arty feel to it," she said.
"This festival is really good because it kind of reflects the diversity the shops have to offer."
Love Lanes Festival took place in Silver Street, Cank Street, Loseby Lane, Guild Hall Lane, Carts Lane, St Martin's Square, Malcolm Arcade, Odeon Arcade and Royal Arcade.
Two-piece Leicester band Dr X, also known as Markus Reeves and Art Pridmore, rocked Silver Street with their music.
Markus said: "We love this, man. We get to play live music to people who would probably not get exposed to it. It's cool."
Lindsey Martin, who runs jewellery shop Mosaic, in Loseby Lane, said: "This is just want this part of the city needed.
"This lets us let people know that there is much more to Leicester than just a trip to Highcross. I hope it becomes an annual event."
Artist Shauna, who last year created the giant crocheted lions that were displayed in the city's Orton Square and around the country, said she was delighted with the response from the public to her latest installation, in 33 Cank Street.
She said: "It was lovely to see the look of surprise on people's faces as they walked past."
Part of the money raised over the weekend will be donated to the Sue Ryder charity, which provides care for people with life-changing illness.
Organiser Georgie said it was hoped the festival would raise £3,000 for the charity.
Shauna's work will be on display for three months.
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