The events and festivals showing Rotherham in a whole new light

Illuminating light festivals are set to return to Rotherham this winter and an innovative drone show is being added to the calendar.

The popular Land of Lights festival returns to Rotherham this winter, with Gulliver’s Valley once again hosting the breathtaking spectacle.

Featuring new lanterns and displays, Land of Lights will open its gates at Gulliver’s Valley theme park on selected dates from Sunday, November 8 and run until early January 2027.

Super early bird tickets for Land of Lights, starting at just £10, are on sale now. The early bird sale ends Midnight September 15.

Land of Lights features a one-mile route, covering 12 dreamworlds and featuring an array of incredible dinosaurs, all under the theme of ‘legends’, with glowing trails and fantastic scenes to light up the dark winter nights. There will also be music, entertainment, and street food for the thousands of visitors expected this year.

Rachael Lyon, festival manager, said: "This is the second year running Gulliver’s Valley has hosted Land of Lights and we aim to build on the success of last winter and make it even more spectacular. The magical atmosphere that the festival creates is so special and it’s a real thrill for our team to see so many families enjoying the incredible displays. The early bird tickets are a bargain – but they are only available for a limited period, so make sure you get in quick to secure your place!”

In Rotherham town centre, Flux Rotherham is preparing to host another Winter Festival at the start of 2027. The community-led arts and culture programme has run a Winter Festival in Rotherham annually since 2023. It previously lit up the town with Rotherham Loves Music in 2026 and Otherham in 2025.

For 2027 the organisation has been searching for immersive artwork or series of artworks for Rotherham, using projection, light and sound to animate the interior of Rotherham Minster. This commission is for a Winter Story Festival, celebrating the power of narrative and the magic of "looking up" to find wonder in shared spaces.

The artist brief hints at what is to come. It states: "We are looking for a lead artwork that explores the theme of "Looking Up" — drawing the audience’s eyes to the stunning heights of the Minster’s architecture to discover children’s stories and fairytales. We want to celebrate the stories that have shaped us, from traditional folklore to the modern-day fairytales created with Rotherham's own children."

At Wentworth Woodhouse, the grade-I listed mansion in Rotherham is set to provide an impressive backdrop for WILD: The Drone Light Show. On October 31, attendees will be able to watch the animal kingdom come to life in the night sky as hundreds of synchronised drones transform the darkness into giant lions, soaring birds, glowing insects, dolphins, crocodiles, giraffes and more in a breathtaking open-air spectacle choreographed to a powerful cinematic soundtrack.

The 40-minute spectacle is accompanied by a roaring soundtrack and is set to be joined by street food, drinks and family entertainment. Tickets are available now.

Gulliver's Valley website
Flux Rotherham website
Wentworth Woodhouse website



Images: Gulliver's / Flux Rotherham / WILD