Sheffield’s Festival of the Outdoors to return in 2024

People biking at Parkwood Springs - Marketing Sheffield

Kicking off Sheffield's outdoor season, The Festival of the Outdoors will be back in March 2024 for a full month of events and activities.

Celebrating the strength of Sheffield’s outdoors and abundance of awe-inspiring green spaces, organisations, groups, clubs and businesses from across the city will be coming together to offer a diverse festival programme.

Headline events include Sheffield Adventure Film Festival at Sheffield Cathedral (15 - 16 March), Sheffield Beer Week (4 – 10 March), The Climbing Works International Festival (16 - 17 March), a bumper edition of Pollen Market (17 March) complete with urban canoeing and a Skate Jam in Castlegate, and a unique cycling event, Park Hill Uprise: Urban Hill Climb (23 March).

There’s still more to be announced, but festivalgoers can expect everything from walking, climbing, running, and orienteering, to paddleboarding, wildlife conservation, heritage discovery, adventure films and more.

While the Festival of the Outdoors aims to encourage city residents to participate in the great outdoors, it is also a prime opportunity to showcase Sheffield’s unique destination offer as The Outdoor City, to potential visitors and boost tourism.

Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

“As the Outdoor City, Sheffield is the UK's leading destination for outdoor adventure and city culture wrapped into one. 

“Greenspace is a vital part of Sheffield’s culture, and influences much of life for people in Sheffield. The Festival of the Outdoors is a great opportunity for the people of Sheffield, and our many visitors, to enjoy the UK’s greenest city.”

Sheffield is one of very few major cities with a national park within its boundary, as one third of the city sits within the Peak District. The city also boasts a whopping 61% greenspace with 13 city parks, including Sheffield Botanical Gardens, the city centre’s Peace Garden’s and our Animal Farm in Graves Park.

Sheffield is also widely regarded as the UK’s climbing capital and home to the only city centre mountain bike trail in the UK at Parkwood Springs.

Graeme Alderson, Co-owner of the Climbing Works and organiser of the Climbing Works International Festival (CWIF) said: 

“It’s another big year for climbing with attention ramping up ahead of Paris 2024, so all eyes will be on the international athletes coming to Sheffield to take part in the CWIF in March.

“Sheffield’s reputation is pretty well documented in the climbing community already, but being part of the Festival of the Outdoors gives us a great opportunity to increase awareness with those that don’t know climbing, The Climbing Works, or even Sheffield more generally, and really demonstrate the part we and this city play in this international sport.”

2024 marks the fifth edition of the Festival of the Outdoors, which first took place in 2019 having evolved from a single weekend of activity, formerly known as The Outdoor City Weekender.

For more information on Sheffield’s Festival of the Outdoors visit: www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/FOTO

Biking Parkwood Springs - Credit: Marketing Sheffield

RAB Climbing Works International Festival

Kayaking Victoria Quays - Credit: Marketing Sheffield

Walking in Sheffield - Credit Marketing Sheffield

Rivelin Valley Nature Trail