Rotherham town centre will be transformed into an urban playground for the UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival on Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 April.
Rotherham Council is bringing back this popular event for young people which is set to be even bigger this year, with the addition of a pop-up roller rink hosted by the Roller Girl Gang which will also include an amazing DJ line-up, and two arenas for skateboarding and BMX. Entry to UPLIFT is free, and the majority of activities will run from 11am until 3.30pm, with headliner bands playing until 4.30pm.
The festival features demonstrations from three amazing professional skateboarders including Skateboard Great Britain national team member, Alex deCunha, plus, Tommy Corbridge and Adam Kay. Pro-BMXers Antonio Smallwood and Brandon Steele will be riding alongside the pro-skaters in the Effingham Square Skate Arena from 2.30pm until 3.30pm each day.
During all three days this year, there will be live music performances from bands including Blood Stained Reputation, Paper Scenes and Friday’s headliner, the Sheffield rock beasts, Black Spiders.
A number of creative workshops will take place as part of the UPLIFT art activities. Everyone has the chance to join artists Ed Syder, Natasha Clarke and Phil Padfield and flex their artistic muscles whether it’s the first time trying an activity or if they’re an accomplished artist.
Rotherham Council has teamed up with The Teenage Market to offer free stalls to young people aged 16 to 25 years, so be sure to check out the market, where you will find handmade jewellery, hand-drawn posters, clothing and more. The town centre is a vibrant place, well-used by young people and students.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr David Sheppard, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the return of the spectacular UPLIFT Skate and Art festival which will feature exciting demonstrations from professional skateboarders. The event includes The Teenage Market which gives young people the opportunity to showcase their creative talents. It’s a real chance for people to try something new or join in a much-loved activity and also soak up the festival vibe with market stalls and street food also available.
“We’re encouraging residents to come along to Rotherham town centre with their family and friends and experience the wide range of free activities on offer and enjoy this three-day event. We’re delivering top-class events that attract visitors from Rotherham and further afield.”
Exciting new activities will include The Actual Reality Arcade, a life-sized interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games where people play for real. Game players can dodge barrels and lasers, build Tetris walls, shoot aliens and become a Pac-Man.
The Actual Reality Arcade has been commissioned by Without Walls, Hat Fair, Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Out There International Festival of Circus and Street Arts and Stockton International Riverside Festival.
The critically acclaimed circus company, Ockham’s Razor will bring their brand-new outdoor performance “Public” to UPLIFT on Wednesday 5 April. Renowned for their aerial theatre performances, which blend contemporary circus and visual theatre explores the use and ownership of public space in this unmissable production.
In 2025, Rotherham will become the first Children’s Capital of Culture, and as part of this journey, UPLIFT offers a vibrant and exciting three-day event for young people, offering opportunities, and ways to showcase all the amazing talent they have to offer.
The locations and activities due to take place on every day of the festival are:
- All Saints’ Square – Roller-skating arena and DJs
- Pitch 13 (next to All Saints’ Square at the bottom of Effingham Street) – BMX/skateboarding arena
- College Street – Actual Reality Arcade
- Effingham Street – The Teenage Market and Creative Workshops
- Effingham Square – Music Stage and skateboarding arena including pro-skater and pro-BMX demonstrations
The UPLIFT Skate and Art Festival is delivered by Rotherham Council, Flux Rotherham and Children's Capital of Culture in partnership with The Hive, Skateboard GB, The Teenage Market, The House Skatepark and Without Walls.
Go to Rotherham Council Events social media pages for regular updates about the UPLIFT festival on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMBCEvents
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RMBCEvents
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rmbcevents