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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Sheffield summer holiday picks

School's out!

While the summer holiday is an absolute joy, it's not always easy to keep the good times going throughout the full six weeks. Thankfully many of Sheffield's museums, galleries and cultural organisations make it that much easier.

Here's our roundup of some of the arts and culture activities and events for families, kids and young people taking place in Sheffield over the 2026 summer break.

For more tips for adventures with young'uns, see our Sheffield for Tots tour.

Summer Holiday Activities at Sheffield Manor Lodge – Week 3

Tue. 4 August 2026 — Fri. 7 August 2026

Manor Lodge

Head along to Sheffield Manor Lodge during the third week of the summer holidays and enjoy fun nature and bug-themed craft and trail activities.

The Trip

Thu. 6 August 2026 — Sat. 8 August 2026

Playhouse

Find out what really happens when a bunch of kids from Sheffield go on a school trip to the seaside. Co-created and performed by members of the age 12-17 Sheffield Theatres Youth Theatre. For ages 7+.

PLAY Festival

Wed. 29 July 2026 — Sun. 9 August 2026

Showroom

A new summertime festival of interactive creativity for children and young audiences – for big and small screens. With an Aardman workshop, VR sessions, a Muppet all-dayer, chance to make your own stop-motion Moomin film, and lots more.

Summer Holiday Sewing Fun: Make a Water Bottle Holder

Multiple dates

Ed's Workshop, Carver House, Carver Street, S1 4FS

Sew together this summer. Designed for adult and older child pairs (aged 10+), this hands-on sewing session is a chance to get creative and learn new skills together. Over three hours, you’ll each sew your very own water bottle holder / carrier.

Family Activity: Making Lantern Slide Specimens

Tue. 18 August 2026

Kelham Island Museum

Drawing inspiration from marine zoologist Henry Clifton Sorby's lantern slide specimens, create your own creatures using light, inks, and paper.

Everyday Creativity Summer Camp

Mon. 17 August 2026 — Fri. 21 August 2026

Hagglers Corner

A week of magical fun for ages 6-12. Expect thrilling storytelling, hilarious games, enchanting upcycled creations, spellbinding singing and more. Lunch included.

Family Workshop: Glass Painting Coasters

Sat. 22 August 2026

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

Using the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet landscape as your inspiration, design and paint your own coasters to take away with you. No experience required.

Teens Sip & Paint

Tue. 25 August 2026

Cambridge Street Collective, 32 Cambridge Street, S1 4HP

A relaxed, creative and summer-inspired session for ages 11–14. Materials, soft drink and step-by-step guidance included. Leave with a finished painting to take home.

Family Activity: Play Play Play!

Tue. 25 August 2026

Weston Park Museum

Join Weston Park Museum for their final family session of the summer as they bring out their treasure trove of classic toys and games.  

Growtheatre Family Adventure - Curious Creatures and Marvellous Monsters!

Thu. 27 August 2026

Ecclesall Woods

Step into adventure this summer holidays with Growtheatre’s interactive woodland events for families in Ecclesall Woods.

The Bobeam Tree

Sat. 20 June 2026 — Sun. 30 August 2026

Millennium Gallery

Discover a magical world of interactive discovery for 0–5-year-olds and their grown-ups.

Sheffield Fayre

Mon. 31 August 2026

Norfolk Heritage Park, Guildford Avenue, S2 2PL

A bank holiday day out for all of the family in Norfolk Park. With a fun fair, demos, arts and crafts, stalls and more.

Graves Park Food Festival

Sat. 29 August 2026 — Mon. 31 August 2026

Graves Park, Hemsworth Road, S8 8LJ

A family-friendly celebration of international food, independent drink, live music, arts and charity – all taking place in the biggest park in Sheffield. Expect stalls, bars, chef demos, children's entertainment and lots more.

Together We Play

Sat. 18 July 2026 — Tue. 1 September 2026

National Videogame Museum

An exhibition celebrating the fans videogames create. With extraordinary personal collections, artwork inspired by gaming memories, and interactive experiences that transport you back to the 1980s and 1990s.

When The Sky Gets Bright

Fri. 12 June 2026 — Sun. 27 September 2026

Site Gallery

An exhibition exploring how neurodivergent young people navigate loneliness, burnout and the pull between the digital and physical worlds. By collective Babeworld with Site Gallery's youth groups Society of Explorers and Creative Producers.

Pride of Yorkshire

Mon. 1 June 2026 — Wed. 30 September 2026

A trail of 150 life-sized lions and lionesses, let loose across South Yorkshire this summer. Raising money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.