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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Sheffield summer holiday picks

School's out!

While the summer holiday is an absolute joy, it's not always easy to keep the good times going throughout the full six weeks. Thankfully many of Sheffield's museums, galleries and cultural organisations make it that much easier.

Here's our roundup of some of the arts and culture activities and events for families, kids and young people taking place in Sheffield over the 2025 summer break.

For children eligible for free school meals, Sheffield Healthy Holidays is also once again running tons of free activities – find things in your postcode.

For more tips for adventures with young'uns, see our Sheffield for Tots tour.

My Neighbour Totoro

Sat. 26 July 2025 — Wed. 30 July 2025

Showroom

A film about, and celebration of, child-like wonder. Two young sisters move with their father to be closer to the hospital where their mother is staying. They meet creatures of the forest surrounding their home – like Totoro and the amazing Cat Bus.

Wild Play

Multiple dates

Outdoor nature-inspired activities for 3-to-9-year-olds. On themes of: survival, amazing trees, art in the woods, woodland adventure, and pond dipping. At J G Graves Woodland Discovery Centre and Greno Woods.

Kids Creative Summer School

Multiple dates

The Art House

Wednesday afternoon sessions for primary school-aged children to have fun and learn new creative skills – from fun with Posca pens to decorating a small treasure box to folk art. Led by Rebecca Brambila

Together Festival

Fri. 1 August 2025 — Sat. 2 August 2025

Crucible Theatre

A FREE annual summer celebration of theatre and arts, created with community groups across Sheffield. Featuring a show with lots of improvisation. An adventure told through theatre, film, beatbox and rap. Dance inspired by Inside Out. And more.

Desi Fest Sheffield Mela

Sun. 3 August 2025

Firth Park, S5 6HE

A festival promoting diversity, unity and community spirit, shining a spotlight on cultural traditions of the South Asian community. With live music and dance, activities for young people, exhibitions and demos, fun fair rides, stalls and more.

Sheffield Gaming Market

Sun. 3 August 2025

Ponds Forge, Sheaf Street, S1 2BP

Discover old school games, consoles and accessories at this huge retro gaming market.

Robin Hood

Wed. 6 August 2025

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Join utter legends Robin, Marian and the Merry Men for a hilariously adventurous take on the timeless tales of everyone's favourite archer. Brought to Sheffield Botanical Gardens by Pantaloons theatre company.

Lifeboat tours

Multiple dates

National Emergency Services Museum

Every Thursday this August, it's your chance to climb aboard the 47-foot-long 'City of Sheffield' Tyne-class lifeboat. Discover the vital role this vessel once played, sit in the crew's seats and see the cabins where rescued people took shelter.

Summer Family Cinema: FernGully, The Last Rainforest

Fri. 8 August 2025

Hillsborough Pavilion, Middlewood Road, S6 4HD

Join RivelinCo to enjoy this 1992 animated film full of adventure, wonder and an inspiring message about nature. Crysta is a fairy living in a rainforest under threat, on a mission to protect it from destruction. With crafts and packed lunch.

Peddler

Multiple dates

Peddler Warehouse, 92 Burton Road, S3 8DA

Food, music and art in a former warehouse, one weekend a month. Plus kids craft activities on the Saturday afternoons. With bonus Christmas crafts for their festive edition.

Eats, Treats & Moor

Sat. 9 August 2025 — Sun. 10 August 2025

The Moor, S1 4PF

A weekend bursting with flavour, fun, and festivities on The Moor. With over 30 local and national vendors, live music, face painting, rides and demos throughout the weekend.

Family-Friendly Inflatable Air Puppets Workshop with Rosie McGinn

Tue. 12 August 2025 — Wed. 13 August 2025

Site Gallery

Create an inflatable air puppet inspired by your favourite fictional characters, complete with flailing arms that will dance around the gallery. For ages 10+, intergenerational collaboration encouraged. Led by artist Rosie McGinn.

Hamlet

Fri. 15 August 2025

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company as they tackle Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy in their own anarchic style. Performing outdoors in Sheffield's glorious Botanical Gardens and suitable for all ages.

Family-Friendly Kite Making Workshop with Christopher Jarratt

Wed. 20 August 2025

Site Gallery

Design and build a unique kite inspired by the Fake Fans exhibition, and decorate it with bold, character-filled designs that celebrate your personal faves.

Sheffield Fayre

Mon. 25 August 2025

Norfolk Heritage Park, Guildford Avenue, S2 2PL

A bank holiday day out for all of the family in Norfolk Park. With a fun fair, demos, arts and crafts, stalls, and more.

Belle

Sun. 24 August 2025 — Tue. 26 August 2025

The Light, The Moor, S1 4PF

Lonely 17-year-old Suzu enters a virtual world, where she becomes world famous singer Belle. She embarks on an adventure to become her true self, in this fantastical and beautiful animated film from Oscar-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda.

Family-Friendly Fan Fiction Writing Workshop with Sile Sibanda

Wed. 27 August 2025

Site Gallery

If you were in control of your favourite characters, what adventures would they get up to? Delve into fandom as you tell our own stories through your favourite fictional characters, inspired by the Fake Fans exhibition.

Summer Holiday Activities at Manor Lodge

Mon. 21 July 2025 — Thu. 28 August 2025

Manor Lodge

A season of crafts activities and trails around the historic grounds, on a different theme each week of the holidays. Nature crafts. Castles and dragons. Birds, bees and Bugs. Brilliant buildings. And more.

Graves Park Food Festival

Sat. 30 August 2025 — Sun. 31 August 2025

Graves Park, Hemsworth Road, S8 8LJ

A family-friendly celebration of international food, independent drink, live music, arts and charity – all taking place in the biggest park in Sheffield.
With stalls, bars, chef demos, children's entertainment, and lots more.

Make It! Play It!

Thu. 24 July 2025 — Mon. 1 September 2025

National Videogame Museum

The NVM's summer exhibition takes a look at what it takes to bring a videogame to life. Including an exclusive first look at a brand new claymation game, plus drop-in sessions in sculpting clay characters, building scenes with LEGO, and animation.

Celebrating 150 Years of Weston Park Museum

Weston Park Museum

This summer, join one of our city’s best-loved museums as it kicks off celebrations for its 150th anniversary. Including chance to play retro games, build a giant 3D map of the city, create decorations for the museum's big birthday party, and more.