Key Event Details
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Date: Friday 20 March 2026
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Location: Rotherham Town Centre, taking place across All Saints Square, Rotherham Minster, Minster Gardens and the Imperial Buildings.
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Times: 11:00am until 9:00pm
- 11:00am to 4:00pm - School workshops and surprising animation
- 6:00pm to 9:00pm - A birthday party you’ll never forget!
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Who: Everyone is invited – bring all your friends and family along to our epic finale!
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Cost: Free
About the Birthday Party
In 2025, Rotherham became the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture – a big title for a borough with a big dream.
We are now throwing a giant, free Birthday Party in the heart of the town centre to mark the closing celebration of its year as Children’s Capital of Culture.
The Birthday Party will be an all-inclusive daytime and evening celebration for children, young people, families and residents, bringing together creativity, live performance and community pride.
This event celebrates the achievements of the tens of thousands of children and young people who have shaped Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture programme since its journey began in 2017 and looks ahead to a future where young voices continue to lead the borough’s cultural life.
What to expect
The Birthday Party is being delivered by renowned outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, working alongside young creative producers, volunteers and performers from Rotherham.
The programme will include:
- A brand-new bedtime story written by young people at Grimm & Co, with music by composer Patrick Dineen
- A mass ‘Happy Birthday’ musical performance led by local youth choirs and hip-hop artists
- Large-scale walkabout puppets and performances
- Fire gardens, projections and live music around Rotherham Minster
- Performances from local bands and artists, including headliner KDOT and OneDa, who is debuting a new song co-written with Rotherham’s young people
- An exhibition of artwork created by eight local primary schools working with artist James Brunt
About Walk the Plank: Artistic Directors of The Birthday Party
Walk the Plank’s track record of making art, festivals and events that engage citizens in public celebration is founded on ambitious creativity that connects with people.
From European Capital of Culture celebrations (Liverpool08, Turku2011, Bodø2024) to immersive installations like BODY (touring to science festivals in UK, North America, Ireland), from amazing parades to spectacular Fire Gardens, the company consistently attracts acclaim and showcases talent.
Recent awards include ‘Best Use of Tech in Events’ for Green Space Dark Skies; and company’s environmental sustainability achievements recognised through winning the Sustainability category (National Outdoor Event Awards) and a Creative Green Award (4*) for Manchester Day.
The Birthday Party credits
Conceived and produced by Walk the Plank.
This story was written by Grimm & Co young people: Seve, Lydia, Kareem, Noah, Barney, Ella, Arlo, Allegra, Hugo and Areeha (aged 7-11), supported by Bev Ayre, Hannah Bacon and Dominic Sharkey.
Directed by Bev Ayre and Richard Babington.
Musical Composition by Patrick Dineen with children at Grimm & Co.
Lighting by Richard Babington.
Pyrotechnics and special effects by Peter Finegan.
Costume by Mary Lamb.
Fire Garden Designer and Lead Tom Fernyhough.
Featuring the cast of The Queen of Hearts by The Birdcage Stage and Roo’d.
Production managed by Gareth Hughes and Natasha Bennell.
Lyrical composition and performance by OneDa with young people at Liberty Church, Cortonwood Comeback Centre, Eastwood Community Centre (through Clifton Learning Partnership), Rush House and RMBC Early Help Group.
Artwork displayed in the Minster by St Gerard’s, Our Lady & St Jospeh’s, Ferham Primary School, Trinity Croft, Redscope, Aston Lodge, Kimberworth Primary, Rawmarsh Aspire.
With support from Assistant Creative Producers Grace Bower, Amber Goulty and Maria Sofragiu from Children's Capital of Culture.
Access and Additional Information
To view the event access information, see our Access Guide.
View The Birthday Party Access Guide
This event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Gainshare fund.
