It’s that time of year again! With brighter days and warmer weather on the horizon, Sheffield is ready and raring for its annual celebration of all things open air: the Festival of the Outdoors. Each year, the people of Sheffield gather to explore and celebrate our green city, with a range of events planned throughout the month. These events span culture, sport, and nature, so whatever your pace or passion, there will be something for everyone. We have hand-picked a few that caught our eye, but don’t let that stop you checking out the full programme here.
Culture
ShAFF
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival is the largest urban adventure film festival in the UK, offering over 100 new adventure, travel and extreme sports films from around the world. On top of the awe-inspiring selection of films available to watch, the team at ShAFF have also organised a range of outdoor activities to take part in, like the Dig Deep Night Run from the Showroom cinema, and a Community Hike at Stanage Edge.
Pollen
Experience Castlegate filled with flowers and food on Sunday 19th March, Mother’s Day, in a special edition of our much-loved Pollen Market. Championing Sheffield’s Grey to Green scheme, the market will host traders, musicians, the House Skatepark’s Skateboard Jam, and even some introductory canoe taster sessions.
Beer festivals
Why have one beer festival when you could have two? The festivities will start with Indie Beer Feast, a two-day festival at Trafalgar Warehouse, serving independent craft beer from the UK and around the world (3-4 March). The celebrations will then spill out across the whole city, with Sheffield Beer Week showcasing the best local, national, and international breweries that Sheffield venues offer (6-12 March).
Runners
Orienteering
Across the month there are plenty of chances to give orienteering a go, whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular racer. Night and dusk events at Kelham and Loxley offer a nice way to welcome in the longer days and shorter nights, and the Explore the City Centre event provides an accessible entry into the sport of orienteering, for people of all experience levels.
Sheffield Half Marathon
If you fancy a longer course, Sheffield Half Marathon will be filling the city centre streets on the morning of 26th March. Whether you’re a runner or a spectator, the race is always busy and is a great opportunity to cheer on some locals!
Climbers
CWIF
The Climbing Works International Festival is a must-see event each year at Sheffield’s Climbing Works. Elite climbers from across the world descend on Sheffield for a weekend of creative route-setting from Percy Bishton, fun competitions, and flawless fancy dress. Everyone is invited to enter, so come down, shoes and costumes at the ready.
Walkers
Arty Inner City Ramble
This 7-mile route led by author Rob Haslam will take you across Sheffield from the train station, through many of Sheffield’s best parks and green spaces. Look out for our ever-changing street art on the way!
Park Hill Tour
In the national conversation again following Sheffield Theatres’ and Richard Hawley’s Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Park Hill flats are an iconic feature of Sheffield’s landscape. This guided walk will offer opportunities to learn about the building’s heritage, architectural design, and incredible views (18 March). Don’t forget your camera!
Bikers
Uprise
Want to see urban cyclists race up a steep cobbled path in front of the largest Grade II Listed building in Europe? I do. Sheffield Urban Cyclo and Westfield Health invite sheffield commuter heros to take on the challenge. Commuters, club riders, junior Shredders and Bromptoneers to take part in the fun, on March 25th. 100% of entryfees will be split 50/50 between local charities Roundabout Sheffield and Woodhead Mountain Rescue. Enter here: https://www.riderhq.com/events/p/2qy1mq85/f/park-hill-up-rise---urban-hill-climb
Lessons
Cycling 4 All is an inclusive project run by Disability Sheffield, which enables anyone to enjoy cycling, whatever difficulties or disabilities they face. They run events throughout the year, but this month is a great time to learn more about the group and get involved. If you fancy some mountain biking but don’t have the confidence yet, there are multiple guided rides taking place across the month.
Women in cycling
The Women In Cycling Festival celebrates the local women’s cycling community. If you are a woman/non-binary person who is already a keen cyclist, or who would like to get involved in the local scene, there is a weekend of activities to get you started, including a give it a go session, a trail maintenance day, and a series of group rides and mingles (11-12 March).
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