It is situated adjacent to Victoria Park and is named after the Father of Parliament, Simon de Montfort, the 6th Earl of Leicester.

The Leicester Symphony Orchestra, started by Sir Malcolm Sargent, was established at the hall in 1922 and perform four concerts each season.

De Montfort Hall is also the largest venue in Leicester to hold the Hindu festival of Navratri.

In 2011, a tribute for Sir Norman Wisdom was held at the venue, raising money for the Roy Castle Fund.

The charitable event also raised funds for Grand Order of Water Rats, of which Wisdom was a member, and featured notable appearances from members Bruce Jones, Nicholas Parsons, Johnny Mans, Rick Wakeman and Jess Conrad.