Sheffield Events and Festivals

(Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK)

There is always something going on in Sheffield, whether it's athletics or another sporting event at the Don Valley International Stadium, an arts festival, seasonal markets, or celebrations at one of the city's many outdoor venues. During the summer months, a number of events and family based festivals take place at various outdoor settings, especially the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, which boasts an impressive calendar of events, including 'Art in the Gardens' each September.

Amongst Sheffield's biggest and most prominent events, the Sheffield Fayre each August is particularly special and rates as one of the area's best days out. If you are struggling to find a suitable event during your visit to the city, there is usually a production, concert, comedy gig or musical at one of Sheffield's three theatres, which are based around Tudor Square - the Crucible, Lyceum and Studio.


Useful local publications include:

• Sheffield Star (published daily)
• Sheffield Telegraph (published every Friday)
• York Port (published daily)
• Exposed (a popular listing magazine published monthly)

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March or early April
• First and last Monday in May
• Last Monday in August
• 25th December - Christmas Day
• 26th December - Boxing Day

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• British Junior Open Squash Championships - early January, free sporting event taking place at the Abbeydale Park Squash Club and also at the Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club
• January Sales - throughout January, with huge discounts at many of the main shops and department stores, who are eager to make way for the coming season's stock

February

• Norwich Union Indoor Athletics - mid-February, featuring the European Trials and UK Championships, held at the English Institute of Sport on Coleridge Road

March

• English Table Tennis Senior National Championships - early March, important sport event at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, located along Sheaf Street
• Lovebytes International Festival of Digital Art and Media - late March / early May, a gathering of graphic designers, film makers and people from the IT industry, at the Millennium Galleries

April

• Sheffield Adventure Film Forum is Back - early April, one of the country's biggest cinematic events of its kind, at the Showroom Cinema on Paternoster Row

May

• Sheffield's Steel City Beer Festival - early May, with more than 90 different ales and ciders on offer, at the St. Phillips Social Club along Netherthorpe Road
• Highland Fling and Farmers Market - early May, sporting fun with a Scottish theme and plenty of local produce, at Graves Park
• Circus - usually held in May, all the fun of the circus, suitable for families and children of all ages, held at Hillsborough Park
• Sheffield Half Marathon and Great Fun Race - mid-May, starting and ending at the Don Valley Stadium, with the main route around the city centre, passing many prominent buildings and landmarks along the way

June

• Showcomotion Young People's Film Festival - late June to early July at the Showroom Cinema, with around 200 different screenings from all over the world and attended by 6,000 children
• Sheffield Festival of Transport - late June, attracting huge crowds each year at Graves Park, the region's biggest motor show

July

• The are no significant events held in Sheffield during the month of July

August

• The Noddy Festival - early August, all of the favourite characters from the famous Enid Blyton books at Graves Park, particularly appealing to young children
• Gay Day Picnic - mid-August, major gay pride event also known as the 'Picnic in the Park', taking place at the Endcliffe Park, with plenty of food and drink to go around
• The Sheffield Fayre - late August, a superb family day out, with flower tents, battle re-enactments, children's entertainers, markets, food stalls and much more besides

September

• Art in the Gardens - early September, the Sheffield Botanical Gardens are transformed into an appealing arts and crafts village setting
• Proposed Circus Tour - usually held in September, a fun family attraction complete with Big Top at Endcliffe Park

October

• Sheffield International Documentary Festival - late October to early November, a prominent yearly film festival often known as the 'Doc Fest'

November

• Christmas Crackers - early November to early January, a range of unique and unusual gifts for sale at the Millennium Galleries at the Arundel Gate
• After Dark Bonfire Night - around November 5th, with spectacular fireworks next to the Don Valley Stadium
• International Food Festival - mid-November, two-day food and drink event at the University of Sheffield
• Clock Tower Gallery Christmas Extravaganza - late November to early January, a Christmas Extravaganza held each year during this festive season, at the Clock Tower Gallery

December

• Christmas Concerts - throughout December, choirs gather to perform at various religious venues around the city, including Sheffield Cathedral
• Seasonal Pantomime - throughout December and January, all the high jinks and popular characters at the panto at the Lyceum Theatre, including the ugly sisters and plenty of silly jokes
• A Real Magical Christmas - mid-December, festive illuminations, Father Christmas and an ice skating rink, at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens