Festival of the Outdoors
A month-long celebration of The Outdoor City
Every March, as the days are get longer, drier, and warmer in Sheffield, we celebrate what it means to be The Outdoor City, by hosting the 'Festival of the Outdoors'.
You'll find everything from large-scale international sporting events to small community gatherings; from guided walks to some of the worlds hardest bouldering problems; outdoor markets to film festivals.
Once again, we enjoyed another vibrant festival during March 2025 and look forward as the Festival of the Outdoors is set to return once again in March 2026.
Follow us on @VisitSheffield and @TheOutdoorCity on socials for the latest updates ahead of the 2026 festival.
Hosting an outdoorsy event in Sheffield during March?
If yes, let us help promote what you're doing! Submit your event to be listed as part of Sheffield's Festival of the Outdoors and we'll get your event featured here on our festival page, in our event listings and on social.
Highlights from the 2025 festival
Here are a few of the feature events as part of the 2025 Festival, but if you want to see all of them for the whole month in date order, either keep scrolling or just click here.
Outdoor adventure activities
We're joining up with DC Outdoors to bring a whole host of outdoor activities on each weekend of the Festival of the Outdoors 2025.
Get your thrill of adventure in canoe taster sessions, weaselling at Higger Tor, climbing experiences at Burbage North, and stand-up paddleboarding along Sheffield's canals for a special rate (50% off) throughout March.
1-30
March
LIVE
10-16 March
Sheffield Beer Week
Returning with the 11th edition of the citywide festival, Sheffield Beer Week hosts a range of events across various venues in Sheffield. Discover the city's rich brewing heritage and historical significance in this diverse program of events.
From brewery tours & tastings, to pub tours and walking trails, see the vibrant culinary scene go hand in hand with the bustling craft beer industry.
Orienteering
Fancy trying something new? South Yorkshire Orienteers are back! In Bolehill and Crookes, they'll introduce orienteering to newcomers and adult juniors in the 6th race of their Saturday series.
Or are you more interested in night orienteering across Loxley Common? Explore the woodlands and open common lands on a range of courses suited to your skill level in this mid-week challenge. Several events will be running throughout March, with more to be announced.
LIVE
11-26 March
Pollen Market
The Pollen Market kicks off their 2025 dates with a special edition along Sheffield's award-winning green corridor, Grey to Green.
Explore local produce and greenery, food and drink traders, live music and activities along Victoria Quays.
16
March
Sheffield Classical Weekend
Sheffield City Centre comes alive to the sounds of Classical Music! As part of the Festival of the Outdoors, Classical Sheffield have organised a range of performances and activities for people to get involved in for free.
Think ensembles, orchestras, choirs and soloists in the Winter Garden, see Tracks students perform rap alongside classical musicians in Orchard Square, or you can take part in a live workshop from the Emergence Collective at the Musical Pocket Playground in Charter Square.
LIVE
21-23 March
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF)
ShAFF is back! This year, at Showroom Cinema, to showcase the world's best adventure, travel, and extreme sports films.
Get your fill of adrenaline-fuelled and thought-provoking films, documentaries, and panel discussions with industry experts.
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival 2025 offers free panel discussions, interactive VR headsets, special screenings for little ones and a near freezing plunge pool for brave festival goers to experience the extreme first hand.
LIVE
21 - 23 March
The Climbing Works International Festival (CWIF)
Some of the world's top climbers will take on the world's best bouldering problems in this year's Climbing Works International Festival!
Those lucky enough to nab one of the very limited tickets to watch this event in-person won't be disappointed, but if you missed out then join the special CWIF Watch Party with a big screen livestream of all the action from the finals, in Sheffield Winter Garden on Sunday 23 March.
CWIF
22 - 23 March
Sheffield Half Marathon 2025
Sheffield Half Marathon 2025 is one of the best attended Half Marathons in the country, attracting thousands of runners from all over the country, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
Enjoy the scenic running route to and from the Peak District National Park and test your skills in the 'triple-test' challenge, or just grab a spot on the sidelines and soak in the atmosphere.
23
March
FOTO walk events
Street Art - Peachzz mural
Commissioned in celebration of the Festival of the Outdoors, Sheffield's street artist, Peachzz, created 'Reverie', a stunning mural located on the Cubo building overlooking Pound's Park.
It is Peachzz's largest mural to date, as well as Sheffield's tallest piece of street art, inspired by local canals and waterways in Sheffield. It features two fishing birds, a kingfisher and a heron. Reverie was crowned 2nd of the Best Street Art in the World 2024 by Street Art Cities and continues to be praised by Sheffielders.
Exhibitions
Markets
Outdoor art trail - Look Up!
Look Up is turning the rooftops of some of Sheffield's most iconic buildings into a FREE, augmented reality art gallery.
Simply download the app (available for IOS and Android) and head out to one of four locations in the city centre where you'll find a Look Up portal, Scan the QR code and then wait for the magic to happen.
What will you see? We don't want to ruin the surprise...
Watch 2023 highlights
Get a glimpse of everything that happened in the Festival of the Outdoors in 2023, to whet your appetite for another month of adventure this year...
