The Big Weekend has arrived in Coalville and the National Forest as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

North West Leicestershire is hosting a series of events from today (Thursday) to Monday, February 7.

North West Leicestershire District Council has worked with the festival organiser to bring events into the National Forest area during the first weekend of the festival, resulting in a feast of comedy entertainment - for all ages.

Venues such as Coalville's Newmarket, Century Theatre, Conkers and the Lyric Rooms in Ashby are on board, along with other smaller venues such as Coalville Escape Rooms and Ashby and Coalville libraries to ensure a real variety of performances.

Here is what you can see in the Coalville area over the next few days.

On Saturday, there is An evening with Rob Gee - storytelling, comedy, and poetry at Coalville's Newmarket.

Join Rob Gee (comic, poet & psychiatric nurse) for an evening of storytelling, comedy & poetry that will provide a celebration of the chaos and adventure that lurks behind the veneer of everyday life.

All hosted in the new Newmarket in Coalville with a bar and street food available - the perfect evening out!

Full details are HERE.

Also on Saturday, the Century Theatre has a comedy night of its own.

On bill are a string of comics. Tom Wrigglesworth: Wonderful wordsmith with several highly popular Radio 4 series and sell-out Edinburgh Festival runs under his belt; Eric Rushton: Since his comedy debut in 2014, Eric Rushton has been mixing with the best newcomers on the comedy scene, and impressing audiences with his intelligent, playful material and likeable, self-deprecating stage persona; Anthony King: With a unique dead-pan style Anthony has been a fixture on the U.K. comedy scene for over 30 years playing top U.K. Clubs, Theatres, Arts Centres and at Festivals.

The compere is Barry Dodds, winner of Best Compere at The Midlands Comedy Awards.

More details can be found HERE.

Also on Saturday, you can have your portrait done for free by Paul Rose Caricature Artist.

Paul will be at Newmarket Coalville between 10am and 12pm and at Colliery Cafe from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.

There will also be an interactive comedy trail across Coalville town centre with Escape Coalville Escape Rooms from Today (Thursday) to Monday, February 7.

You can find more details about that HERE.

There are also music gigs in the area this weekend.

The Victoria Bikers Pub has Renegades of the Rage on Saturday night.

You can read more about that gig HERE.

Meantime, the Black Horse in Whitwick plays host to local band Top Secret.

You can find out ore about that gig HERE.

On Monday, there is a night of country and western music on offer at Hugglescote Social Club when the Lone Ranger Club returns.

Remember, you can let us know about your event - big or small, music gig or club meeting - for FREE by going to our What's On section on the Coalville Nub News page.

Click on the black Nub It button and fill in your details - don't forget to add a photo or logo - press 'submit' and we will do the rest.

Or just follow this link HERE.