UPLIFT Urban Sport and Art Festival

UPLIFT Festival is a FREE 3-day festival of sport, music, and art that will bring locations throughout Rotherham Town Centre to life!

It takes place over 3 consecutive days on 31 July, 1 and 2 of August 2025, from 11am until 4pm each day.

Across all three days, there are FREE creative workshops for all ages and abilities will be running for you to take part in.

No.

UPLIFT Festival is a FREE town centre-wide event with no ticket required. The activities run constantly throughout each day.

We are running FREE creative workshops throughout the festival, these are drop-in.

This is an outdoor event and will take place in all weathers.

Warm outdoor clothing, suncream, appropriate footwear and waterproofs (to be on the safe side) are essential!

We don’t anticipate queues, however, you may have to queue for workshops and ‘have-a-go' sessions during periods of high demand.

It’s worth avoiding peak times during the middle of the day to avoid busy periods.

There is no set route for the festival – just view things as and when you want to!

Across all three days, FREE creative workshops for all ages and abilities will be running for you to take part in. They will take place at venues across the festival.

Some areas of the festival will have live music, and maybe a little noisy.

If you feel overwhelmed, you can leave at any point. Everything is very informal, and you can come and go as you please.

There is seating available in areas throughout the town centre.

Local cafes and bars will be open during the day.

Find a full list of the businesses Rotherham Council’s Town Centre website here: Places to eat in Rotherham Town Centre

Due to the town centre location of the event, hard-standing routes and dropped kerbs are present throughout the footprint of the event. If you have any worries on the day, please speak to an event steward for more information. They’ll be wearing a hi-vis vest.

You are welcome to bring your dog, however, do be aware that some areas may be noisy and busy!

Yes.

All toilets listed below are free to use:

• All gendered Portaloo’s will be available at the event, this includes disabled Portaloo’s. They can be found on Upper Millgate, just off Corporation Street, at the bottom of Minster Gardens.
• There are gendered toilets available inside Rotherham Minster and All Saints’ Centre.
• The Bus Interchange and Rotherham Markets also have gendered toilets.

Train

Rotherham Central Station is located in Rotherham Town Centre and is 0.3 miles from the event.

Address: Rotherham Central station, Central Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1QH

For more information booking your journey via train, and access at Rotherham Central Station visit Northern.

Bus

Rotherham Bus Interchange is located in Rotherham Town Centre and is 0.2 miles from the event.

Address: Rotherham Interchange, Frederick St, Rotherham S60 1QB

For more information on booking your journey via bus, and access at Rotherham Bus Interchange visit Travel South Yorkshire.

Bike

You can find cycle parking at:

• Rotherham Bus Interchange, near coach stand C3 and C4.
• Rotherham Central Train Station, in the car park.

Locations, charges, and parking information (including electric vehicle charging points) can be found on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s website.

Closest car parks are:

• Drummond Street, S65 1EZ
• Westgate Car Park, S60 1BJ
• Clifton Hall Car Park, S60 1ED
• Rotherham Interchange Car Park, S60 1QB

RMBC offers free and time-unlimited parking for disabled drivers displaying a valid Blue Badge in all its off-street pay and display car parks in Rotherham.

Free parking is available on Saturdays in Council-owned off-street car parks in Rotherham town centre (not Forge Island), with no ticket required. The normal maximum duration time allowed still applies.

Find out more about parking in Rotherham

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You can find a digital map of all the car parking provided by RMBC here.

You can download more marking information here

You can travel to Rotherham Town Centre using the park and ride at the following locations:

• Parkgate

  Address: Stadium Way, S60 1TG

  Opening times: 05:00-Midnight Monday to Saturday, 08:00-21:30 Sunday

  Tickets from: Parking is free. Tickets for travel can be purchased onboard from the conductor

  Please note: Parking facilities outside of the dedicated Tram Train parking spaces are subject to the parking terms and conditions of Parkgate Shopping. This includes terms of maximum stay.

• Swinton Train Station

  Address: Lime Grove, S64 8SP

  Tickets from: Parking is free. Tickets for travel can be purchased from vending machines or via the Ticket Office. For ticket office hours please visit Northern Rail

  Facilities: Toilets opening during staffed hours, cycle spaces available 

  Accessibility: Check information on the National Rail Enquiries website 

Please note that photography and filming will take place during the event.

The material may be used in social media, in promotional videos and other publicity materials, both off and online.

If you do not wish to appear in Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s promotional materials or have any other queries or concerns, please speak to a member of the team.

Drop us an email on events@rotherham.gov.uk if you have any questions.