We confirmed 10 Christmas events for kids in Sheffield for 2026. The season starts on 12 November with Sheffield Christmas Market 2026 and runs until 10 January (Manor Operatic Society presents Peter Pan). 3 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 10 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Sheffield
- First: Sheffield Christmas Market 2026, Sheffield, 12 November
- Free events: Sheffield Christmas Market 2026, Sheffield Christmas Weekend and Kids Winter Wonderland
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Sheffield Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 10 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Sheffield
- Season
- 12 November to 10 January
- Free events
- 3
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Sheffield
10 confirmed events in Sheffield, soonest first.
Sheffield Christmas Market 2026
Meet SantaFreeSheffield City Council and Percival Markets · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield City Council and Percival Markets (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor, Fargate, Sheffield S1 2HE
- When
- Daily, Nov 12 to Dec 26, 2026, from 10am
- Price
- Free to attend; attractions may charge
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Sheffield City Council and Percival Markets run the Christmas Market across Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor from 12 November to 26 December 2026. It is free to wander, with more than 50 festive cabins, most run by local traders, selling handmade gifts and food such as Yorkshire pudding wraps, churros, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.
For children, the city centre programme includes Santa's Grotto on Barker's Pool, an artificial ice rink in Tudor Square, a new snow slide on Surrey Street and the Big Wheel, plus Christmas lights across the centre. Cabins on The Moor open 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday and until 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, while Pinstone Street cabins open 10am to 8pm daily. Prices for the grotto, rink and rides are set separately.
Parent tip: Entry to the market is free, but the ice rink, snow slide, big wheel and grotto are separate attractions, so check each before you go.
See dates and details from Sheffield City Council and Percival Markets (opens in a new tab)Sheffield Christmas Weekend
Christmas lightsFreeSheffield City Council · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield City Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sheffield city centre, Fargate, Sheffield S1 2HE
- When
- Sun, Nov 15 and Mon, Nov 16, 2026
- Price
- Free to attend city centre
- Ages
- Families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Sheffield Christmas Weekend celebrates the opening weekend of the city centre Christmas Market on Sunday 15 and Monday 16 November 2026, with festive family entertainment spread across the centre. It comes in a season the council has described as its biggest yet, with an ice rink returning, a new snow slide on Surrey Street and a new festive lights spectacle on Devonshire Green.
The Christmas Market itself runs along Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor, with Santa's Grotto on Barker's Pool and the Big Wheel nearby. Wandering the streets and enjoying the entertainment is free, though rides and attractions are charged separately. A ticketed family show, the Sheffield Christmas Celebration on Devonshire Green, takes place on the Sunday but was already sold out when checked. Full timings were not listed, so check the Welcome to Sheffield listing nearer the date.
Parent tip: Timings were not yet published when checked, so look at the Welcome to Sheffield listing the week before.
See dates and details from Sheffield City Council (opens in a new tab)Cinderella | Lyceum Panto 2026
Panto or Christmas showSheffield Theatres · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lyceum Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA
- When
- Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
- Price
- Sold out when checked; watch for returns
- Ages
- Family pantomime
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Lyceum pantomime is a Sheffield Christmas tradition, and for 2026 Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Productions present Cinderella. Damian Williams returns as dame, joined by Strictly winner Ore Oduba as Prince Charming, CBeebies star Andy Day as Dandini, Rita Simons as the Fairy, Joey Wilby as Buttons and Bibi Simpson as Cinderella. Paul Hendy writes and directs, promising comedy, costumes, sets and music.
The run is from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with performance times that include morning, afternoon and evening shows. Accessible performances are offered, with audio description, captioning and BSL interpretation on selected dates. The theatre page was showing the run as sold out when checked, so families hoping to go should keep an eye on the booking page for returned tickets.
Parent tip: The run was listed as sold out; check the Sheffield Theatres booking page regularly for returns.
See dates and details from Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)Ukrainian Christmas Market 2026
Christmas craftsMillennium Gallery (Museums Sheffield) · Sheffield
- Host
- Millennium Gallery (Museums Sheffield) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2PP
- When
- Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 11am to 4pm
- Price
- Free workshops; ticket details via QR code on the poster
- Ages
- Families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
On Sunday 29 November 2026 the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield city centre hosts a Ukrainian Christmas market from 11am to 4pm. Visitors can try traditional Ukrainian food, browse handmade gifts and listen to live music, including a Ukrainian choir.
For families, the listing highlights free creative workshops and family activities alongside the market stalls, making it a good chance for children to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine while doing something hands on. The gallery is on Arundel Gate, in the city centre, so it fits easily into a day in town while the city centre Christmas Market is running. The event poster carries a QR code for tickets, so check it before you travel in case some activities need booking.
Parent tip: Workshops are listed as free, but scan the poster's QR code or check ahead in case places need booking.
See dates and details from Millennium Gallery (Museums Sheffield) (opens in a new tab)Stick Man
Christmas story timeSheffield Theatres · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Montgomery Theatre, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 2LG
- When
- Dec 5, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, shows at 10.30am, 1.15pm or 4pm
- Price
- See Sheffield Theatres for prices
- Ages
- Ages 3+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Stick Man is having its first Christmas run at the Montgomery Theatre, booked through Sheffield Theatres. Freckle Productions' adaptation of the picture book follows Stick Man as his morning jog turns into an adventure involving a dog, a swan and a fire, in a festive family show. Three actors tell the story with puppetry, songs and live music.
The show lasts about 1 hour 5 minutes with no interval, which suits younger attention spans, and the age guidance is 3+. Performances run from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with start times of 10.30am, 1.15pm and 4pm on different days. Accessible performances are available with audio description, captioning and BSL interpretation, and a BSL flyer can be downloaded from the event page.
Parent tip: The morning and lunchtime shows are good for toddlers and preschoolers. Check the dates page for accessible performances.
See dates and details from Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)Santa's Grotto and Enchanted Forest
Santa’s grottoSheffield Theatres · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA
- When
- Sat Dec 12 to Tue Dec 22, 2026
- Price
- See Sheffield Theatres for prices
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Alongside its Christmas shows, Sheffield Theatres is running Santa's Grotto and Enchanted Forest from Saturday 12 to Tuesday 22 December 2026. The listing sits on the theatre's own what's on page, and the event is at the Sheffield Theatres complex on Norfolk Street in the city centre, home to the Crucible and the Lyceum.
Session times, prices and the exact space used were not shown on the listing page when checked, so open the event page to choose a slot and see what is included. It is a handy add-on for families already heading into town for the Lyceum pantomime, the Stick Man show at the nearby Montgomery Theatre, or the city centre Christmas Market, which runs a few minutes' walk away on Fargate and Pinstone Street.
Parent tip: Details were limited when checked, so confirm times and prices on the event page before you travel.
See dates and details from Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)Festive Baby Disco
Panto or Christmas showSheffield Theatres · Sheffield
- Host
- Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA
- When
- Tue Dec 15 to Thu Dec 17, 2026
- Price
- See Sheffield Theatres for prices
- Ages
- Babies and toddlers
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Sheffield Theatres lists a Festive Baby Disco on its what's on page for Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 December 2026. As the name suggests, it is a Christmas themed disco session for babies and their grown ups, held at the theatre complex on Norfolk Street in Sheffield city centre.
The listing page did not show session times, prices or the exact room when checked, so use the event page to see the schedule and book. Midweek timing makes it a good fit for parents on leave with a baby or toddler, and the city centre location means it can be combined with a stroll round the Christmas Market on Fargate and The Moor, making for an easy festive morning in town.
Parent tip: Book ahead and check the event page for session times and age guidance.
See dates and details from Sheffield Theatres (opens in a new tab)Polar Pip at the Moor Market
Panto or Christmas showMoor Market · Sheffield
- Host
- Moor Market (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Moor Market, 77 The Moor, Sheffield S1 4PF
- When
- Tue, Dec 22 and Wed, Dec 23, 2026
- Price
- Price not listed
- Ages
- Families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Just before Christmas, the indoor Moor Market on The Moor welcomes Polar Pip for two days, on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December 2026. The listing introduces The Pips as brothers with a shared passion for mackerel and plenty of festive charm, a light hearted walkabout style visit that younger children should enjoy meeting while the grown ups shop.
The Moor Market is Sheffield's main covered market, with fresh food stalls and cafes, and it sits at the southern end of The Moor, where the city Christmas Market cabins also run through December. Times and any costs were not given on the listing, so it is best treated as a bonus while you are in town rather than a trip on its own. Check the Welcome to Sheffield listing nearer the date for timings.
Parent tip: Timings were not listed; pair it with last minute food shopping or a walk along the Christmas Market on The Moor.
See dates and details from Moor Market (opens in a new tab)Kids Winter Wonderland
Christmas craftsFreeCrystal Peaks Market · Sheffield
- Host
- Crystal Peaks Market (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Crystal Peaks indoor market, opposite the food court, Peak Square, Waterthorpe, Sheffield S20 7PJ
- When
- Wed, Dec 23 and Tue, Dec 29, 2026, 11.30am to 2.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- Families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Kids Winter Wonderland is a free family drop-in at Crystal Peaks in south east Sheffield, set up opposite the food court in the indoor market. Children can make Christmas crafts, decorate gingerbread, write letters to Santa, play festive games and pose at an elf photo opportunity. The organisers describe it simply as a chance to create, play and make magical Christmas memories.
There are two sessions, on Wednesday 23 December and Tuesday 29 December 2026, each running from 11.30am to 2.30pm. No ticket price is listed because the event is free, which makes it a handy stop for families doing last minute shopping or looking for something to fill the days between Christmas and New Year. Crystal Peaks has shops, a food court and parking on site.
Parent tip: It is a free drop-in, so arrive early in the session if you want a calmer turn at the crafts and gingerbread table.
See dates and details from Crystal Peaks Market (opens in a new tab)Manor Operatic Society presents Peter Pan
Panto or Christmas showManor Operatic Society · Sheffield
- Host
- Manor Operatic Society (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sheffield City Hall, Barker's Pool, Sheffield S1 2JA
- When
- Dec 28 to 31, 2026, Jan 2 to 3 and Jan 8 to 10, 2027
- Price
- See City Hall box office for prices
- Ages
- Family pantomime
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Manor Operatic Society has staged a family pantomime at Sheffield City Hall every year since 1986, and its 2026 show, Peter Pan, marks forty years of the tradition. The listing describes it as a high-flying pantomime adventure, and it is produced by the society's own company of performers for local families.
Performances fall in three blocks after Christmas: Monday 28 to Thursday 31 December 2026, Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 January 2027, and Friday 8 to Sunday 10 January 2027. That timing makes it a good choice for the quieter days between Christmas and New Year or as a treat before school returns. Performance times and ticket prices were not shown on the listing, so check with the City Hall box office when booking.
Parent tip: The run is after Christmas, so it is handy for the holiday week; book through the City Hall box office.
See dates and details from Manor Operatic Society (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Sheffield Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Sheffield in 2026?
We confirmed 10 Christmas events for kids in Sheffield for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Sheffield Christmas Market 2026, Sheffield Christmas Weekend, Cinderella | Lyceum Panto 2026, Ukrainian Christmas Market 2026, Stick Man, Santa's Grotto and Enchanted Forest, Festive Baby Disco, Polar Pip at the Moor Market, Kids Winter Wonderland and Manor Operatic Society presents Peter Pan. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Sheffield?
Yes. 3 of the 10 events here are free, including Sheffield Christmas Market 2026, Sheffield Christmas Weekend and Kids Winter Wonderland. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Sheffield this year?
Santa appears at Sheffield Christmas Market 2026 and Santa's Grotto and Enchanted Forest. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Sheffield?
Christmas story times on this page: Stick Man.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
