What's on this October

Dan Walker smiling with arms folded

It’s nearly October and there are lots of fun events taking place across Rotherham. 

This month, Rotherham Civic Theatre (in partnership with Off the Shelf festival) welcomes the journalist and TV presenter Dan Walker on Saturday 15 October, 7:30pm to talk about his new book Standing on the Shoulders, which is a beautiful, illuminating celebration of ordinary people and the incredible things they do. The book dives into the stories of lesser known everyday heroes in extraordinary situations. Dan also talks about household names such as 2021 Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis and his own Strictly partner Nadiya Bychkova. Don't miss it! 

We know that budgets are stretched for some of you at the moment so to help out a little, Rotherham Theatres are offering you the chance to 'Pay What You Can' for some of our fantastic upcoming shows in October: Hero & Leander on Friday 21 October, 7:30pm and When Another Dragon Roars on Tuesday 25 October, 2:30pm. To book for the quality theatre and music productions - click the title of the show you want to see and pay what you can for your seats.

Also, a variety of fun events are happening in Rotherham Libraries from National Poetry Day on Thursday 6 October, the National Libraries Week from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 October and Halloween Crafts from Monday 24 to Friday 28 October.

Events Include:

  • Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October 2022, drop-in, Rotherham Fun Palaces events - share your skills, learn new ones, watch, listen and enjoy!  Come and try free activities across Rotherham, music, arts, writing, flower arranging, drama, join in, have fun! All ages welcome. Activities will be taking place at lots of venues across Rotherham including Libraries, Clifton Park Museum and the Theatre. Find out more information - Read the Fun Palaces leaflet here or visit www.funpalaces.co.uk and enter 'Rotherham' in the search button to find events in Rotherham.
  • Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October, 9am, Rotherham parkrun, Clifton Park
  • Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October, 9am, Rother Valley parkrun, Rother Valley Country Park - a 5K Run for beginners to experienced runners, all welcome. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you. You need to register online before you first come along. Please register in advance to gain your free bar code on the parkrun website. Only register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time. Normal Parking charges for the park apply. To volunteer please email: rothervalley@parkrun.com
  • Sunday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 October, 9am, Junior parkrun, Rosehill Victoria Park
  • Wednesday 5 October, 10am to 11am and 11:30am to 12:30pm, Nelson's Cub Club 'Achoo'. In our 'Achoo' session you will learn how to take care of your poorly teddy. Pretend to be a doctor or nurse in the table-top pharmacy and enjoy a story. £3.50 per child, adults free. Book by searching 'Nelson's Cub Club' at www.rotherham.gov.uk/events, Clifton Park Museum
  • Saturday 8 October, 10am to 3pm, Yorkshire Crafters & Makers Market, Effingham Street
  • Sunday 9 October, Registration 9am to 9:45am, Run starts at 10am, the 10k Run, Rother Valley Country Park 
  • From now until Sunday 9 October 2022, exhibition open during opening hours. Rotherham UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 presents - Grass Roots To Glory: "Our Story So Far". The new exhibition charts the story of the heritage of women’s football across Rotherham, Clifton Park Museum
  • Wednesday 19 October 10am to 11am and 11:30pm to 12:30pm, Nelson's Cub Club 'Chop'. In our 'Chop' session we have lots of fruits and vegetables for you to 'chop' and make a healthy lunch! Make some play-doh food and enjoy a story. £3.50 per child, adults free. Book by searching 'Nelson's Cub Club' at www.rotherham.gov.uk/events, Clifton Park Museum
  • Wednesday 26 October, 3pm to 5pm, Family Day, Thrybergh Country Park

Rotherham Libraries Events

Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 3 to Sunday 9 October, Libraries Week - The 3 October marks the start of Libraries week! Why not pop in to find out more about the services and activities we offer? With National Poetry Day on the 6 October we are running a poetry competition all week for children aged 5 to 11 years with the theme of ‘Why I Love My Library’. We can’t wait to read the entries!, Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 24 to Friday 28 October, Drop in anytime, Creepy Crafts for Halloween - For autumn half term we are getting ready for the Spooky Season with creepy crafts and Halloween artistry! All week we will have our crafting trolley out full to the brim with things to make and do, suitable for ages 5 to 11 years, Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Central Library, Riverside House

  • Every Wednesday, 10:30am to 11am, Rhymetime at Riverside – Songs, stories and rhymes for under 5’s, Central Library, Riverside House

  • Every Wednesday, 10am to 10:30am, Mini Music Makers – Instrumental play for the under 5’s, Central Library, Riverside House

  • Every Saturday, 11am to Midday, Saturday Story Stop – Activities, crafts and games for ages 6+ (The first Saturday of every month is board game day, come and play!), Central Library, Riverside House
  • Every Saturday, Midday to 3pm, Lego Club – Imagine, create, build, Central Library, Riverside House
  • Every Wednesday, 10am to Midday, Fancy a brew and a chat too? – Join us for our weekly coffee morning, Central Library, Riverside House
  • Tuesday 4 October at 11:30am - Business Model Canvas for Creatives - Whether you are an artist, crafter, creator, maker or into video and film, this workshop is for you - It’s free to join! To book a place email Julia.millea@rido.org.uk
  • Saturday 22 October, 11:00am to Midday, Saturday Story Stop – Spooky Special 1 – Monster Making Mayhem! Central Library, Riverside House
  • Saturday 22 to Saturday 29 October, drop-in during opening hours, Ghastly Ghost Hunt! Drop-in and follow our terrifying trail, Central Library, Riverside House
  • Tuesday 25 October, 10:30am to 11:30am, Ghost Blasters! Make a ghost hunting backpack. Booking is required call the Central Library in Riverside House on 01709 336774, Central Library, Riverside House
  • Saturday 29 October, 11:00am to Midday, Saturday Story Stop – Spooky Special 2 – Monster Mask Making! Central Library, Riverside House

Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October, Fun Palace - Come and learn a new skill or share your talents with your local community. Watch, listen and enjoy. Suitable for all ages, Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 3 to Sunday 9 October, National Libraries Week - Display promoting your local library services, activities and information, Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 October, National Poetry Day - Display of Poets and Poetry books, Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Tuesday 25 October, 10:30am to 11:30am, Half Term Activity - Decorate a Ceramic Monster Money Box and windchime. Halloween colouring, word search all week, Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Greasbrough Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 3 to Sunday 9 October, during opening hours, Libraries week - Find out just what goes on in your local library. There will be book displays, author displays, what books are coming soon, Greasbrough Library and Neigbourhood Hub
  • Monday 24 to Friday 29 October, Half term crafts and activities – Try our creepy crafts and Spooky scavenger hunt, also lots of colouring sheets and mini activities, Free activity, Greasbrough Library and Neigbourhood Hub

Kimberworth Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Thursday 6 October, 4pm to 5pm, World Space week - Clangers Jigsaw Activity, Kimberworth Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 27 October, 4pm to 5pm, Halloween Craft Activity - Skeleton Puzzle, Kimberworth Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Saturday 1 October, 10am to Midday, Fun Palace - Fun packed weekend to see our local community showcase their skills hobbies and professional abilities. Free to enter and suitable for all ages so come and join us,  Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Sunday 2 October, 10am to Midday, Fun Palace - Fun packed weekend to see our local community showcase their skills hobbies and professional abilities. Free to enter and suitable for all ages so come and join us, Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Sunday 30 October at 10am-12pm, Paper Pumpkin Craft - Make paper pumpkins for this spooktacular Halloween event. Suitable for ages four years and over. Booking is required, Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Rawmarsh Library & Neighbourhood Hub

  • Friday 30 Sept – 2 October, Fun Palace - Come along and see a range of different artists in our local community sharing their skills and interests for free. Watch, Listen and Enjoy or even learn new ones.
  • Monday 3 - Sunday 9 October - National Libraries celebration - Come and visit our displays full of information and inspirational ideas for life-long learning. Various activities taking place in our library.
  • Tuesdays September at 10am - Readers Group meeting once a month
  • Every Tuesday at 2pm - Knit and Knatter group - Come along and enjoy knitting whilst enjoying some company
  • Every Wednesday at 09am - Shared Reading Group
  • Every Wednesday at 11am - Mini Melodies for 0-5 year-olds - Come along and enjoy making fabulous live music. Creative movement and fun for all
  • Every Wednesday at 3.00pm – Homework club
  • Thursday at 12pm - Readers Group meeting once a month
  • Every Friday - Rhymetime - Songs, stories and rhymes for 0-5-years-olds
  • Thursday 27th October – Half Term – Come along and join in our creepy activities.
  • Every Saturday - 10:30am - Lego club for all ages – Activities alternate Saturdays’

Swinton Library & Neighbourhood Hub

  • All October, Black History Month – book display, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Saturday 1 October, Fun Palace – Kilnhurst Choir and Local Author, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 3 to Saturday 8 October, Libraries Week – book display, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 October, National Poetry Day – book display, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 24 October, 10am to 11am, Autumn half term – Halloween themed craft, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • All October, Black History Month – book display, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Saturday 1 October, Fun Palace – Craft session, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 3 to Saturday 8 October, Libraries Week – book display, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 October, National Poetry Day – poster display, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Tuesday 25 October, 2:30pm to 3:30pm, Make an autumn window pane, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 27 October, 4pm to 5pm, Autumn Half Term – make an Autumn Window pane and Make a decoder to find the secret message, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Saturday 29 October, 10am to 11:30am, Make a skeleton, word searches and Halloween themed colouring sheets, Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Thurcroft Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Saturday 1 October, 10am to 1pm, Fun Palaces – Hey talented people of Thurcroft, we NEED you… Thurcroft Library is hosting a community fun palace. What skills or knowledge could you share and demonstrate? Arts, crafts, languages, sport, dance – literally anything goes! Would you be prepared to come and show off your talents, passions and share your knowledge with the community? Get in touch on 01709 546150 if you are interested, Thurcroft Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  •  Friday 28 October, 11am to Midday, Halloween Spooky Crafts and Slime Making, free event. Booking is required - please call on 01709 546150 or pop in to book a place. Suitable for ages 4+, Thurcroft Library & Neighbourhood Hub

Wath Library & Neighbourhood Hub

  • Wednesday 5 October at 3:45pm-4:45pm – Makerspace: Junk Modelling

  • Wednesday 12 October at 3:45pm-4:45pm – Makerspace: Bristle Bots
  • Wednesday 19 October at 3:45pm-4:35pm – Makerspace: Pin and String Art
  • Wednesday 26 October at 10am-11am – Makerspace: 3D Printer Halloween Theme

Rotherham Libraries

Host regular weekly activities across the borough such as: Lego clubs, Rhymetimes, computer classes, knit and natter groups, advice sessions, craft sessions, readers groups and local history groups.

Rotherham Theatres

Rotherham Civic Theatre has lots of entertaining performances taking place which includes:

The Tell-Tale Heart (Saturday 1 October, 7.30pm)

West Side Story (Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 October, 7.15pm and 2pm Saturday matinee)

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Monday 10 to Friday 14 October, 7.15pm)

Dan Walker: Standing on the Shoulders (Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm)

One Night in Dublin (Sunday 16 October, 7.30pm)

Swan Lake (Wednesday 19 October, 7.30pm)

Talon (Thursday 20 October, 7.30pm)

Hero & Leander (Friday 21 October, 7.30pm) - Pay What You Can

The Greatest Magician (Sunday 23 October, 7.30pm)

A Very Odd Birthday Party (Monday 24 October, 7.30pm)

When Another Dragon Roars (Tuesday 25 October, 2.30pm) - Pay What You Can

Once Upon A Princess (Wednesday 26 October, 1pm & 4pm)

Plus many more shows, for more details go to: www.rotherhamtheatres.co.uk

Rotherham Markets 

For more information visit the Rotherham Markets website.

General Outdoor Market, Monday, Friday and Saturday, 8.30am to 4pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Second - Hand Market: Clothes and Shoes, Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 8.30am to 2.30pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Bric-a-Brac and Second - Hand: Clothes and Shoes, Every Wednesday, 8.30am to 2.30pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Street Market, Every Tuesday 8.30am to 4pm, Effingham Street, Effingham Square, and Howard Street

Rotherham Bazaar, Every Thursday 10am to 4pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Indoor Market, Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm, Rotherham Centenary Market

For more information see www.rotherham.gov.uk/events or visit our Facebook pages at:

Rotherham Markets

Rotherham Libraries

Rotherham Town Centre

RMBC Events

Clifton Park Museum

Rotherham Theatres

Thrybergh Country Park

Rother Valley Country Park

Rotherham Parks and Countryside

Published: 21st September 2022