Conker season. Golden woods. Pubs that take Sunday lunch seriously.

Friday evening gets things moving with the 14/48 Theatre Festival, one of the most thrillingly unpredictable nights out you can have under a Leicestershire roof. Seventy artists have just 24 hours to write, direct, rehearse, score and design entirely new short plays, then perform them for a live audience. It is theatre at its freshest and most spontaneous, and the energy in the room is always something special. Catch it in Leicestershire this Friday and prepare to be thoroughly entertained. Saturday is where the weekend really opens up. The Great Central Railway invites families to step behind the scenes and explore beautifully restored stations as part of its Discover Your Railway event in Loughborough. It is a rare and genuinely charming chance to see the living history of steam travel up close, and little ones absolutely love it. Meanwhile, Tom Davis brings his sharp and warmly funny show Spudgun to De Montfort Hall in Leicester, delivering freshly cooked observations on life that are perfect for a relaxed Saturday evening out. Saturday evening lights up the sky across the county with not one but two fireworks events. Huncote Sports and Social Fireworks Night gathers the community around a classic bonfire and fireworks display hosted by Huncote Football Club, full of that lovely neighbourhood warmth. Over in Loughborough, LSU's Fireworks Extravaganza promises a spectacular show of its own. Guided Walks also run on Saturday, offering a fascinating historical journey through beautiful country parkland with knowledgeable guides leading the way. When you need a destination to anchor your weekend, Leicestershire delivers brilliantly. Burrough Hill Country Park near Melton Mowbray rises dramatically from the eastern Leicestershire landscape, full of history and wide open views that reward every step of a weekend stroll. Twinlakes Park, also near Melton Mowbray, is a pure treat for families, with go-karts, water slides and friendly farm animals keeping children happily occupied from first thing to last light. The Victory Show in Cosby brings wartime history to vivid life through vehicles, re-enactments and displays that fascinate all ages. The weather this weekend will be cool and atmospheric, with overcast skies on Friday and Saturday giving way to misty, foggy conditions on Sunday, with temperatures ranging from around four to ten degrees. Layers are your friend, and a warm flask will earn you serious points with the family. The cooler air only adds to the cosiness of a steam railway visit or a fireworks evening, so do not let a few grey clouds put you off. This weekend in Leicestershire is waiting for you, and it is well worth the trip.