UPLIFT Skate & Arts Festival returns to Rotherham

This April, Rotherham town centre will once again be transformed into an urban playground as UPLIFT Rotherham Skate & Art Festival returns for 2023.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, UPLIFT is back with a new Easter slot with three days of free skating activities, live music and art workshops taking place from Wednesday 5th until Friday 7th April.

Get ready for plenty of bunny hopping with BMX and skateboarding demos from professionals including Skateboard GB National Team member, Alex deCunha. There will also be a chance to hit the ramps yourself in the pop-up skating arenas.

This year there will be two arenas so everyone can show off their stunts regardless of age or experience. As well as the main arena in Effingham Square for teenagers and Tony Hawke wannabes, there will also be one next to All Saints’ Square more suitable for younger children and beginners.

Another new addition for 2023 is the roller-skating zone in All Saints’ Square with a roller disco taking place, too.

Why not flex your creative muscles and show off your inner Banksy with the drop-in art workshops hosted by Flux Rotherham along Effingham Street.

Marvel at circus dance company Ockham’s Razor as they move with the architecture of the streets using acrobatics and parkour. There will also be a chance to join in with the flash mob dance performance.

Or could you become Player One in the Actual Reality Arcade? This is a life-sized interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games where you play for real away from the video screen. Build Tetris walls, shoot aliens, and become Pac-Man for a nostalgic blast from the past. Actual Reality Arcade has been supported by Without Walls and commissioned by UPLIFT.

Throughout the event there will be a live music stage showcasing a jam-packed programme of performances covering a range of genres including rock, punk and indie. Local bands and musicians will take to the stage including Sheffield rock beasts Black Spiders who are headlining on the Friday. Look out for more exciting performer announcements on social media.

With young people at the centre of UPLIFT, event organisers Rotherham Council have teamed up with The Teenage Market which will be taking place along Effingham Street. They are offering free stalls to anyone aged 16 to 25 years old who would like the chance to sell their very own handmade creations, whether it’s for the first time, or even if they are a seasoned seller. For further details email events@rotherham.gov.uk