Long days. Lake swims. Beer gardens that go on past nine.

The headline act this week is Queen Heaven at the National Space Centre in Leicester, and if you have ever wanted to hear Bohemian Rhapsody rattle around the UK's largest planetarium dome while stars wheel overhead, this is your moment. It is a genuinely jaw-dropping way to experience Queen's greatest hits, and it earns every bit of the buzz surrounding it. Book ahead, go in with an open mind, and prepare to feel very small in the best possible way. Over at Conkers in Moira, the weekend is stacking up beautifully. Family Wrestling Night brings FTGU Wrestling to the venue for one raucous, completely family-friendly evening of ringside drama on Friday — think pantomime villain boos and hero cheers from the kids. Then on Saturday, Noughty 90s takes the same stage as Ultra 90s tear through the decade's greatest anthems, from Snap to Faithless to Vanilla Ice. Two nights, two very different vibes, both absolute crackers. Elsewhere in the county, Cinder Hill Farm is delivering gentler pleasures. Come and Meet the Beekeeper on Thursday offers a proper honey tasting with J&J Bees alongside a peek into the world of beekeeping — genuinely fascinating for curious adults and children alike. On Friday, Storytime with Gillian brings Beth the Chicken and her sisters to life for all ages, which is exactly the kind of unhurried, charming morning out that makes a midweek escape so worthwhile. Add in the Classic Vehicle Meet in Hinckley on Thursday if gleaming bodywork and chrome is your kind of thing. If you are making a proper day or overnight trip of it, Highcross Leicester is the ideal base for a browse, a film, and a long lunch in its buzzing dining quarter — over 120 stores and everything under cover makes it a no-fuss option whatever the weather. The Holiday Inn Leicester City sits right alongside Highcross and beside the King Richard III Visitor Centre, so you can walk everywhere from your room. For something altogether more relaxed, The Grange Garden Centre near Melton Mowbray and its Mountain Restaurant offer a lovely excuse to slow down, wander among the plants, and linger over coffee. The forecast is sitting at a mixed 12 degrees this week in Loughborough, so layers are your friend, but the good news is that the calendar is packed with indoor spectacles and cosy farm visits that laugh in the face of a grey sky. Whether you are planning a full weekend getaway or sneaking off on a Tuesday, Leicestershire is very much open for business — go on, block out some time and make it happen.