Winter Light Festival
24th - 26th January 2025
4:30pm - 8:30pm
Rotherham Town Centre
Winter Light Festival
14th - 15th February 2026
6pm - 9pm
Rotherham Town Centre
FREE
Rotherham Loves Music is a free, family-friendly light and sound festival. It features brand-new light projections – turning Rotherham Minster into a musical instrument – accompanied by soundtracks created in collaboration with local Rotherham musicians.
Enjoy creative workshops inside Grimm & Co and The Imperial Buildings, meet the musical performers roaming the site, and enjoy a boogie at the giant silent disco tent in Minster yard!
A Flux Rotherham Festival, with projections by Illuminos, as part of Children’s Capital of Culture.
Plan your visit
Key:
- Car Parks
- Toilets
- Bus
- Rail
- Info
Forge Island
Grimm & Co
Rotherham Minster + Imperial Buildings
View the Programme
View our digital online programme here – Rotherham Loves Music Programme
There will also be a printed version during the festival. Just speak to a member of staff!
Access Information
We’re trying to make Rotherham Loves Music as accessible as possible.
Read our access guide here – (Word Document) or (PDF).
If you have any questions about access before your visit, please drop us an email here: [email protected]
If you have any questions about access during the event, speak to a member of staff in a hi-vis vest.
Will there be any toilets?
Yes.
There are accessible all gender Portaloos available. They can be found on Church Street.
There are gender neutral toilets at Grimm & Co.
There is a Changing Places toilet (disabled) at Grimm & Co.
There is stepped access to gendered toilets available inside Rotherham Minster.
There are free indoor baby changing facilities at Rotherham Minster and at Grimm & Co. There is stepped access to the baby changing facilities at Rotherham Minster.
Public Transport
Train
Rotherham Central Station is located in Rotherham Town Centre and is 0.3 miles from the event.
Address: Rotherham Central station, Central Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1QH
For more information booking your journey via train, and access at Rotherham Central Station visit Northern.
Bus
Rotherham Bus Interchange is located in Rotherham Town Centre and is 0.2 miles from the event.
Address: Rotherham Interchange, Frederick St, Rotherham S60 1QB
For more information on booking your journey via bus, and access at Rotherham Bus Interchange visit Travel South Yorkshire.
Bike
You can find cycle parking at:
- Rotherham Bus Interchange, near coach stand C3 & C4.
- Rotherham Central Train Station, in the car park.
Where can I park?
Closest car parks are:
- Drummond Street, S65 1EZ
- Westgate Car Park, S60 1BJ
- Clifton Hall Car Park, S60 1ED
- Rotherham Interchange Car Park, S60 1QB
Locations, charges and parking information (including electric vehicle charging points) can be found on the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s website.
RMBC offers free and time-unlimited parking for disabled drivers displaying a valid Blue Badge in all of its off-street pay and display car parks in Rotherham.
Free parking is available on Saturdays in Council-owned off-street car parks in Rotherham town centre (not Forge Island), no ticket required. The normal maximum duration time allowed still applies. Find out more here.
You can find a digital map of all the car parking provided by RMBC here.
Park and Ride
You can travel to Rotherham Town Centre using the park and ride at the following locations:
Parkgate
Address: Stadium Way, S60 1TG
Opening times: 05:00-Midnight Monday to Saturday, 08:00-21:30 Sunday
Tickets from: Parking is free. Tickets for travel can be purchased onboard from the conductor
Please note: Parking facilities outside of the dedicated Tram Train parking spaces are subject to the parking terms and conditions of Parkgate Shopping. This includes terms of maximum stay.
Swinton Train Station
Address: Lime Grove, S64 8SP
Tickets from: Parking is free. Tickets for travel can be purchased from vending machines or via the Ticket Office. For ticket office hours please visit Northern Rail
Facilities: Toilets opening during staffed hours, cycle spaces available
Accessibility: Check information on the National Rail Enquiries website
About the festival
Free and open to all, the event invites residents and families to enjoy an unforgettable experience in Rotherham Town Centre, with the projections running from 6:30pm to 9pm each evening.
There will also be free creative workshops for audiences, at Imperial Buildings and Grimm & Co. Boogie at the giant silent disco in Minster Yard. Alongside interactive roaming performers entertaining crowds.
A range of local independent businesses across the town centre will be staying open to offer food and drink options, with special offers for everyone to enjoy.
Delivered by Flux Rotherham in partnership with Illuminos, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Children’s Capital of Culture, Rotherham Music, Rotherham Minster and Grimm & Co. Funded by Arts Council England.
FAQ's
What is Rotherham Loves Music, when and where is it?
Rotherham Loves Music is a FREE 2-day festival of light, sound and art in Rotherham Town Centre.
A large projection will illuminate Rotherham Minster. Activities will take place inside Grimm & Co, The Imperial Buildings and Forge Island.
It takes place over two consecutive evenings 14th and 15th February 2026, 6pm – 9pm each evening. Projections start at 6:30pm and will run continuously.
Everything is FREE to take part, and you do not need to book!
What activity is taking place?
Projection at Rotherham Minster – A large projection will transform Rotherham Minster into a musical instrument. The projection will appear on the outside west face and inside.
Craft Workshops at Grimm & Co and The Imperial Buildings – Family-friendly craft workshops will also take place in the Imperial Buildings and Grimm & Co.
RSPB Lantern Installation – A dawn chorus of musical notes and birds will fill the trees in Minster Gardens. See how many you can spot!
Silent Disco at Minster Yard – Join the giant silent disco, with three channels of non-stop tunes to boogie along to
Walk-about Performances – Enjoy pop-up performances with entertainers on the streets surrounding the festival.
See ‘At A Glance’ at the bottom of this page for more information about venues.
Everything is FREE to take part, and you do not need to book!
Do I need a ticket?
No. Rotherham Loves Music is a FREE town centre event with no ticket required, the event starts at 6pm.
The projection starts at 6:30pm and will run continuously throughout the evening – so if you arrive and it is already underway, just wait a few minutes and it will start again!
Everything is FREE to take part.
What should I wear?
Some of this event takes place outdoors. It will take place in all weathers. Warm outdoor clothing, appropriate footwear and waterproofs (to be on the safe side) are essential.
Will it be dark?
Yes – the projection will take place after dark, when the projection looks its very best!
Any inside spaces will be well lit. See ‘At A Glance’ at the bottom of this page for more information about venues.
Will I have to queue?
There is no set itinerary to the festival – view the projection and take part in activities when you want to!
You may have to queue during periods of high demand, please be patient and kind to staff. If you would prefer not to queue, come along a little later in the evening after 8pm when it is likely to be quieter.
Where are the creative workshops?
Across both evenings, FREE creative workshops for all ages and abilities will be running for you to take part in, 6pm-9pm. They will take place at the Imperial Buildings and Grimm & Co.
The Imperial Buildings
Percussive Drum – Feel the beat! Join Mandy to make your own percussive drum.
Love Tokens – Create a beautiful, handmade love token to celebrate someone special in your life with Evelyn.
Percussive Shakers – Shake, rattle and play! Craft your own colourful shaker with Karen.
Electronic Music Club – Twist knobs, push buttons, and experiment to build beats, make strange noises, and discover how synthesisers turn ideas into music with Rian.
Grimm & Co
Musical Madness – Music and love themed workshop fun with Children’s Capital of Culture trainees.
Will it be noisy? Will there be somewhere to sit down? Somewhere quiet to get away from the hustle and bustle?
The projection has an accompanying soundtrack, and maybe a little noisy.
Areas of the festival site may become busy during peak times.
If you feel overwhelmed, you can leave an area at any point. The festival very informal, and you can come and go as you please.
The Goodysphere Sensory Bus will be joining us during the event. An inclusive space to relax, play and reset. Featuring:
- A bubble tube and fibre optic waterfall
- A sensory swing
- Sequin textures and mirrors
- Sensory fidget toys
- Soft furnishing
Will there be food and drink available?
Independent shops, cafes and restaurants will also be staying open throughout the evening event.
Food and drink will be available at the following locations:
- The Three Cranes*
- Thai River Kwai
- Ginge’s Tap*
- Mr Greek Rotherham
- Heavenly Desserts
- Grimm & Co.
- Vetro Lounge
- Sygnature Dish
*hot/cold drinks only
This list is not extensive; there will be some we have missed!
Is the event wheelchair and pushchair accessible?
Due to the town centre location of the event, hard-standing routes and dropped kerbs are present throughout the footprint of the event.
The toilets and baby change inside Rotherham Minster must be accessed via steps. Alternative toilets are available at other venues.
Read our access guide here – (Word Document) (PDF).
If you have any worries on the night, please speak to an event steward wearing hi-vis for more information.
Where can I find access information?
We’re trying to make Rotherham Loves Music as accessible as possible.
Read our access guide here – (Word Document) or (PDF).
If you have any questions about access before your visit, please drop us an email here: [email protected]
If you have any questions about access during the event, speak to a member of staff in a hi-vis vest.
Is it suitable for dogs
You are welcome to bring your dog, however, do be aware that areas may be a busy and noisy!
Well behaved dogs are welcome inside Grimm & Co and Rotherham Minster. Please note, both sites may be busy and Rotherham Minster will be dimly lit.
Service dogs are welcome across the site.
When is the BSL tour?
On Sunday 15th February at 7pm, join a specialist British Sign Language facilitator Jane Kelsall. She will take you on an illuminating tour of the festival, highlighting the projection and guiding audiences to workshop and activity areas.
If you would like to join a BSL guided tour, please email [email protected] or book here – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-rzplyqm
The tour will last approximately 1 hour.
Please note: this is a BSL tour with no spoken English that is aimed at D/deaf, hearing-impaired BSL users and fluent friends.
Photography and filming onsite
Please note that photography and filming will take place during the festival. The material may be used in social media, in promotional videos and other publicity materials, both off and online. If you do not wish to appear in Flux Rotherham promotional materials or have any other queries or concerns, please speak to a event steward in a hi-vis.
Is there a prayer space available?
Rotherham Minster will be open during the festival but will be busy. You are welcome to find a quiet space inside the pray.
MJAH Mesjid is a short distance away from Grimm & Co. on Moorgate Street.
Maghrib starts at 5:14pm on Saturday 14th and 5:16pm on Sunday 15th.
Isha Jamat, Salah will be at 7:30pm, it will be open from 7pm.
Find out more about them here: https://linktr.ee/mjahrotherham
At a glance
Rotherham Minster (Projection)
Outdoor and indoor
May be noisy, possible queues
Seating available
Toilets
Baby change
Grimm & Co. (Workshops)
- Indoor
May be noisy, possible queues
Free workshops
Seating and café available
Toilets & Disabled toilets
Changing Places toilet
Baby change
Forge Island (Microtonal Installation)
Indoor
May be noisy, possible queues
Interactive
Minster Gardens (RSPB Lantern Installation)
Outdoor
May be noisy
British Sign Language (BSL) Guided Tours
Roaming
Outdoor and indoor
Please prebook
Disco Bike (Roaming Performance)
- Outdoor
- Interactive
- May be noisy
Team BeeGee (Roaming Performance)
- Outdoor
- Interactive
- May be noisy
Disco Divas (Roaming Performance)
- Outdoor
- Interactive
Can I volunteer?
Yes! We are looking for volunteers to help support this event. If you’d like to get involved, and find out more about the role, please get in touch with the team by Friday 24th January at the latest.
Drop us an email to say hello – [email protected]
Contact Us
Got any questions or want to know more?
Drop us an email – [email protected]
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