What's on this April

Photo by Sam McQueen of the UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival
Photo by Sam McQueen of the UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival

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

This month, Rotherham town centre will once again be transformed into an urban playground, as UPLIFT Rotherham Skate and Art Festival returns for its second year. (Photo above by Sam McQueen)

Running from Wednesday 5 until Friday 7 April, 11am to 4:30pm, UPLIFT is set to be even bigger than last year’s event with the addition of a roller-skating zone, two skateboarding and BMX arenas, plus three full days of live music with performances from local musicians as well as some from further afield. Putting the art into UPLIFT there will be a number of brilliant workshops on offer, giving everyone the chance to flex their creative muscles.

UPLIFT will also feature renowned circus company, Ockham's Razor who will bring their outdoor aerial theatre performance in 'Public'. Other exciting new activities include The Actual Reality Arcade, a life-sized interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games where you play for real. Plus, 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.

The UPLIFT Rotherham 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. 

For updates about UPLIFT, please check out the Rotherham Council Events on Facebook

The Rotherham Civic Theatre welcomes a family show The Not So Grimm Twins on Saturday 8 April, 2:30pm.  A (f)un-expected family adventure, where fairytales really do come true…’ Roll up one and all, to hear the fabulous Grimm Brother’s fairytales like never before, as world-famous twins Jake and Will Grimm (oh, and their little sister Lottie too!) tumble from their magical wagon brimful of famous fairytales collected from every inch of the world. But sometimes even familiar stories can take a turn for the (f)unexpected, and our heroes will need all the help they can get to defeat the creatures of their own creation!

Flux Rotherham are providing a textiles project across the borough. The final textiles session will take place on Thursday 6 April, 10am to Midday, for the Threads That Connect Us* session at Yella Brick Road/Over the Rainbow. The ‘Threads That Connect Us’ offers free creative sessions led by Amanda and other talented textile artists to bring people together to create new artworks for Rotherham, which will go on show as part of future exhibitions.  

There are various exciting activities happening in Rotherham Libraries which includes International Children's Book Day, Easter Craft activities, World Book Night and Wrestlefest.

Also, Keppel's Column Tours are now open. Tickets for April and May are selling fast but don’t panic if you miss out this time, more are being launched throughout the year. Keep an eye on social media for the latest details on Clifton Park Museum Facebook page.

Events include:

  • Open until Sunday 18 June 2023, the 'Dishes of Rotherham' Exhibition. In this exhibition, artist Simon Grennan creatively brings together food made by ten local cooks from contemporary Rotherham and Rockingham tableware from Clifton Park Museum’s collection. The cooks come from different cooking traditions, including Pakistani, Sudanese, Guinean, Ukrainian, Czech, Yemeni, Chinese and British. Each cook chose a piece of Rockingham tableware from the collection and then cooked, styles and served their dishes on the Rockingham. This fusion of contemporary and traditional comes together in an explosion of spectacle in this unique portrayal of Rotherham past and present, Clifton Park Museum
  • Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 April, 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
  • Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 April, 10am to 3pm, Canklow Creative activity sessions - Ceramic Squirrel Painting*, Canklow Pavilion
  • Saturday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 April, 9am, Rotherham parkrun, Clifton Park
  • Sunday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 April, 9am, Junior parkrun, Rosehill Victoria Park
  • Monday 3 April, 11am to 2pm, Discovery Day - join us for spring and Easter activities in the park, including a treasure hunt, create your own bird feeder and take part in craft activities, Thrybergh Country Park
  • Monday 3 April, Midday to 4pm, Wath Creative activity sessions - Circus Skills, Environmental Art, Poetry*, Keble Martin Green, Wath upon Dearne
  • Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 April, 11am to 4:30pm, UPLIFT Rotherham Skate & Art Festival returns for its second year, Rotherham Town Centre. For updates about UPLIFT, please check out RMBCEvents on Facebook
  • Thursday 6 April, 10am to Midday, Final Threads That Connect Us* session at Yella Brick Road/Over the Rainbow 
  • Friday 7 April, 11am to Midday, Family History Workshop: Census, Clifton Park Museum
  • Saturday 8 April, 10am to 3pm, Yorkshire Crafters and Makers Market, Effingham Street
  • Saturday 8 and Saturday 22 April, 10am to 2pm, Wath Creative activity sessions - Nature Sketch Book*, Montgomery Hall, Wath upon Dearne
  • Wednesday 12 April, 11am to Midday and 1pm to 2pm, ‘Cup and Saucer Stories’ -Join artist Simon Grennan in this free family drop-in workshop, inspired by the Dishes of Rotherham Exhibition. Create and design your very own paper Cup and Saucer with Simon and learn about the "Comic" drawing and design techniques he uses in our exhibition. This activity is suitable for children 6-11 years, Clifton Park Museum
  • Saturday 15 April, 10am to 3pm, Canklow Creative activity sessions - Wind Chime Making*, Canklow Pavillion
  • Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April, Midday to 4pm, Catcliffe Creative activity sessions - Circus Skills and carnival costume making*, Catcliffe Recreation Ground
  • Sunday 16 April, 11am to 3pm, Dishes in the Walker Kitchen - Join us for a fun day of cookery demonstration in the Walker Kitchen inspired by our ‘Dishes of Rotherham’ exhibition. Meet Rotherham cook Jo, who will share her tips and tricks to make her noodle dish and learn how to make a historic recipe fit for a King’s dinner service, Free event, drop-in anytime during the times listed. Walker Kitchen in Clifton Park Museum
  • Wednesday 19 April, 10am to 11am and 11:30am to 12:30pm, Nelson's Cub Club 'Pour' - In our 'Pour' session you and your teddy can join in with the teddy bear's picnic! Play with the sensory rice, serve up lots of teatime treats 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 29 April, 11am to 2pm, Catcliffe Creative activity sessions - Wind chime making*, Catcliffe Glass Cone
  • Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 April, Exhibition: 29 April to 18 June, Jason and his Argonauts exhibition - Opening Weekend*, Wentworth Woodhouse

 

A Warm Welcome

All warm spaces offer a friendly welcome and comfortable environment to meet friends or socialise. Some warm spaces may be able to provide hot drink and have activities or programmes that you can join in with. 

We have more information about the Warm Welcome initiative in Rotherham's public Warm Welcome Spaces here - which includes the Warm Welcome activities at Rotherham Libraries and the Warm Welcome events at Clifton Park Museum.

 

Rotherham Libraries events

Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 3 to Saturday 8 April, all day, Easter Break Crafts - Make a peek a boo chick and pop up Easter cards! Free, drop in activity, Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 3 to Saturday 8 April, 9am to 5pm, International Children's Book Day - come and see our display of current favourite children's authors and customer suggestions of books they loved as a child, Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Monday 17 to Saturday 22 April, World Book Night - come and see our 'Rotherham Loves Reading' adults book display and learn about the Bookworms Readers Group, Aston Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Brinsworth Community Library

  • Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April, join us for Easter Bag decorating, Free, drop in activities, Brinsworth Community Library
  • Saturday 8, 9am to 12:30pm, try your hand at Easter Bonnet decorating - Free, drop in activities, Brinsworth Community Library

Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Saturday 1 to Thursday 6 April, International Children's Book Day - come and see our display! Suggest your favourite book as a child, or join our Children's Character hunt! Drop in for this free activity! Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Wednesday 5 April 10:30am to 11:30am, Easter Crafts - booking essential. Have a go at fluffy wooden sheep threading kits, wooden Easter decorations and Easter cards. Contact the library for more information. Suitable for age 5 to 11 year olds. £1 charge per child, Dinnington Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Maltby Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Wednesday 5 April, 10:30am, Join us for Easter Basket making and an Egg Hunt! Free event, booking is required. Please phone the library or call in to book your place, Maltby Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Thursday 6 April, 10:30am, Easter Baskets Craft activity - from making easter baskets, to egg mosaics and bunny trail - it'll be an "egg-cellent" event! Mowbray Gardens Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Saturday 1 April, 9am to 1pm, World Autism Day - Drop into the library anytime and see our display stand, Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 April, 2pm to 4pm, Hop Hop Hoorary - Hop down this Easter for an "Eggciting" time at the library. A variety of Easter Crafts and Easter trail. Free events suitable for ages 3 to 12 years. Telephone the library on 01709 255682 to book a place, Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 April, 9am to 5pm, World Health Day - Why not visit the library and browse our display of health related books and see what useful information you might find Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 13 April, 10:30am to 11:30am, Spring is in the Air - A free fun and creative session suitable for children ages 3 to 12 years making a selection of Spring crafts. Telephone the library on 10709 255682 to book a place, Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Saturday 22 April, 9am to 1pm, Earth Day - Visit the library and see our display of books. Colouring sheets will also be available all day, Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Saturday 29 April, 10:30am to 11:30am, Crafty Critters - Join us at our Saturday morning craft session where this week's theme will be critters. Drop in for a free fun creative hour suitable for ages 3 to 12 years, Rawmarsh Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Riverside Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 3 to Thursday 6 April, 10am to Midday, Wrestlefest - a four day wrestling spectacular including: Create a wrestler, Make your own belt and Trash talk! Free event, booking is required. A Treasure Hunt, colouring and activity sheets will be available all week, Riverside Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Swinton Library and Neighbourhood hub

  • Monday 3 April, 10am to 11am, Easter Crafts - why not join us to build an Easter Basket? Free event, booking required. Please phone the library or call in to book your place, Swinton Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Thursday 6 April, 3pm to 5pm and Saturday 15 April 10am to 11am, Easter Craft Activity - Come and Join us for our happy Easter craft activity. You can decorate an Easter Egg and make a flowers basket! All are welcome - please drop-in! Thorpe Hesley Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Thurcroft Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Monday 27 March to 3 April (all week), International Children's Book Day - Book Display and Activity Pack, Thurcroft Library and Neighbourhood Hub
  • Thursday 6 April, 10:30am to 11:30am, Easter Crafts and Egg Hunt - Come down to Thurcroft library and Neighbourhood Hub to take part in our Easter crafts and egg hunt! Suitable for ages 4+ and booking is required. Please call the library on 01709 546150 or call in to book a place, Thurcroft Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Wath Library and Neighbourhood Hub

  • Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 April 10:30am to 11:30am, Easter and Spring Craft Activities - Drop in and take part in our Easter and spring craft activities! No booking required, Wath Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Wickersley Library and Neighbourhood Hub

Tuesday 4 April, 10:30am to 11:30am, Children’s Easter Craft activity - We are making and decorating little wooden Easter bunnies with carts. £1 charge per child and booking is required, suitable for ages 3+, Wickersley Library and Neighbourhood hub

 

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 Johnny Cash Roadshow (Saturday 1 April, 7:30pm

Tin Man (Sunday 2 April, 6pm)

The Not So Grimm Twins (Saturday 8 April, 2:30pm

Charley’s Aunt (Monday 24 to Friday 28 April, 7:15pm

Argengetram (Saturday 29 April, 4pm

 

Rotherham Markets 

For more information visit the Rotherham Markets website.

Opening times:

General Outdoor Market, Monday, Friday and Saturday, 8:30am to 4pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Secondhand Market: Every Tuesday, 8:30am to 2:30pm, Rotherham Outdoor Market

Secondhand Market: 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

 

*Rotherham Cultural Partnership, Flux Rotherham and Children’s Capital of Culture

Rotherham’s Cultural Partnership has a Cultural Strategy and 10-year vision for arts and culture. As part of this, a new programme, Flux Rotherham, will deliver lasting impact on Rotherham communities' participation in arts and culture. Flux Rotherham is led by Voluntary Action Rotherham as part of a consortium with Grimm & Co, Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance and Rotherham Council.

Flux Rotherham will also help to prepare and position Rotherham to deliver the unique Children's Capital of Culture in 2025.

In 2025 Rotherham will become the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, designed and delivered by children and young people from across the borough. And the journey to 2025 has already begun! For more information about Children’s Capital of Culture visit www.childrenscapitalofculture.co.uk

Published: 29th March 2023