Find out about the festivals, events, and activities coming to Rotherham, for everyone to enjoy!
What if, a magic flying car...?
Where: The Arc Cinema, Forge Island, Bridge St, Rotherham S60 1QJ
When: Monday 10 November
Over 500 children from five Rotherham primary schools worked with Kettu Studios to co-create a new animation about a magic car that flies over Rotherham, casting spells.
What sort of car is it? What magic does it create? What change do the children of Rotherham want to see?
Expect imagination, invention, sparkles and a few surprises on the way. The film is being premiered at the REPLAY opening event at Arc Cinema on 10th November and will also be shared with the children who made it and their families.
Children's Games
Premiere
Where: The Arc Cinema, Forge Island, Bridge St, Rotherham S60 1QJ
When: Monday 10 November
Exhibition
Where: Wentworth Woodhouse, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TQ
When: Saturday 15 November from 6:00pm until 9:00pm
What games do children in Rotherham love to play?
Inspired by the work of artist Francis Alÿs’ Children’s Games, over 200 children from seven schools have worked with their teachers, filmmaker Rachel Bunce and Into Film to create short films that celebrate and share the games they play and their creativity and ingenuity.
The films will be premiered at the REPLAY opening event at Arc Cinema on 10 November and will be exhibited at Wentworth Woodhouse on 15 of November at Big House: Short Films.
Picturing play
Launch
Where: ROAR’s Garage Gallery, the Hope Centre, Grove Road, Rotherham S60 2ER
When: Tuesday 11 November from 4.30pm until 6:00pm
Exhibition
Where: ROAR’s Garage Gallery, the Hope Centre, Grove Road, Rotherham S60 2ER
When: Tuesday 11 November until Saturday 15 November, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm
Pricing: Free
Young people from a Rotherham secondary school have worked with artist Moira Lovell to produce their own exhibition exploring play. Inspired by a visit to the Wentworth Woodhouse’s 'House of Fun' exhibition, the young people have created photographs and zines that invite you to think about playfulness in your own lives and why play is important to us all.
Join us to celebrate the Picturing Play exhibition:
Opening event on Tuesday 11 November at the Hope Centre, Grove Road, Rotherham, S60 2ER, from 4:30pm until 6:00pm.
This free exhibition will be open from Tuesday 11 until Saturday 15 November, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm daily.
Selected images will also be exhibited at Wentworth Woodhouse on 15 November at their Big House: Short Films event.
Festive Films
Where: The Arc Cinema, Forge Island, Bridge St, Rotherham S60 1QJ
When:Saturday 15 November at 2:00pm
Join us for a festive double-bill of Magic Light Picture's 'The Gruffalo's Child' and 'Stick Man' at the Arc Cinema on Saturday 15 November at 2:00pm.
This special seasonal screening for families with young children will also feature a new short animation about a magic flying car made by over 300 children in Rotherham schools, as part of Children's Capital of Culture's REPLAY festival of film and media: www.childrenscapitalofculture.co.uk/creative-learning/Replay.
Cast Offs Youth Drama Performance
Where: Rotherham Civic Theatre, Catherine Street, S65 1EB
When: Saturday 15 November
A bold, brand-new theatre piece, created and performed by young people in collaboration with Chol Theatre and Arts.
Inspired by Cast Offs, a life-changing drama provision run by Rotherham’s Youth Services, this new play gives young people a platform to share their worries and wishes for how we can take care of our world.
Big House | Short Films: An Interactive Film Festival
Where: Wentworth Woodhouse
When: Saturday 15 November, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
For four weeks this September, Creative Lives is taking over the Imperial Building courtyard and filling it with lots of fun creative activities.
Tales Untapped: An opera imagined by the young people of Rotherham
Where: Magna Science Adventure Centre, Magna Way, S60 1FD
When: Tuesday 25 November and Wednesday 26 November
Rotherham is set to host its first ever opera in partnership with the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), in what will also be the UK’s largest community opera!
Inspired by Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, the spectacular Tales Untapped will feature storylines, songs, choreography, sets and performances co-created with over 2,000 of our borough’s children and young people.
It’s not to be missed! Keep an eye on our socials and this web page for more information, including how to get a ticket to the final performances.
SELF: There's More To Me Than What You SEE
Where: Clifton Park Museum
When: Saturday 3 May 2025 to Sunday 1 March 2026
Cost: FREE
An exhibition by artist Rob Young, created in collaboration with local young people. Reflect on identity through interactive installations and thought-provoking displays.
House of Fun
Where: Wentworth Woodhouse
When: Tuesday 5th August to Sunday 16th November 2025
In 2025, Wentworth Woodhouse has been transformed into the House of Fun! Wentworth Woodhouse isn’t a whisper-while-you-walk stately home. It’s a place where children can lead the way, adults can let loose, and everyone is free to have fun in a space that belongs to us all.
Explore stories of parties, excess, and fun in a new playful and interactive exhibition – expect costumes, games, and the grandest playground you’ve ever stepped into!
Gallery Town
Where: Across the Rotherham Borough
When: All year round
Cost: FREE
From murals to sculptures to playful creations, Gallery Town transforms Rotherham into an outdoor art gallery and it’s all created by local children and young people!
This summer, look out for Rotherham Remix, a reimagination of All Saints’ Square through a surreal lens, blending real and fantastical imagery. Created by artist Ian Kirkpatrick in collaboration with 25 students from Bramley Sunnyside Junior School, the artwork features flying fish, dragons, and robots in a vibrant vision of Rotherham.
Join us for Children's Capital of Culture 2025!
Together, we will make Rotherham a place that young people are proud to call home.
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