FAQs and Accessibility at WOW Rotherham

FAQs

What is Wow Rotherham Festival, When and Where is it?

WOW Rotherham is a festival that celebrates women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Rotherham Town Centre. It takes place on Saturday 9th May 2026, 11am-4pm, in venues across Rotherham Town Centre. Everything is FREE to take part in.

There are eight main sites, at the festival. These are:

  • Rotherham Minster
  • All Saints’ Square
  • Minster Yard
  • Minster Gardens
  • High Street
  • Snail Yard (High St)
  • The Imperial Buildings

There will be performances, workshops, exhibitions, panels and more taking place across these sites. See the digital programme for more information.

There are two evening events taking place,

Big Fatt Pool Party

Drag Bingo at Three Cranes

WOW Rotherham Festival

No. WOW Rotherham Festival, taking place 11am-4pm, is a FREE town centre-wide event with no ticket required.

We are running FREE creative workshops throughout the festival, these are drop-in.

Some activities may be busy, so you might have to queue.

WOW Rotherham evening events

Yes. There are two WOW Rotherham events taking place during the evening, these do require tickets.

Big Fatt Pool Party (free) – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/flux-rotherham-tickets/t-zznkzzz

Drag Bingo at Three Cranes (paid) – https://the-three-cranes-tickets.sumupstore.com/ 

This is an outdoor event and will take place in all weathers.  Warm outdoor clothing, appropriate footwear and waterproofs (to be on the safe side) are essential.

You may have to queue for workshops during periods of high demand, please be patient and kind to staff.

Across the event there are FREE creative workshops for all ages and abilities running for you to take part in. They will take place at the following venues:

  • WOW Community Village at Minster Yard
  • The Imperial Buildings

There will be quieter areas of the festival. If you feel overwhelmed, you can leave at any point. All the activity is very informal, and you can come and go as you please.

Local cafes and bars will be open during the day. Find a full list of the businesses Rotherham Council’s Town Centre website here: https://www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk/enjoying/eating-town-centre

WOW Rotherham Festival takes place across Rotherham Town Centre, both indoor and outdoors. There is level or ramped access across the outdoor parts of the site, but some indoor venues have stepped access. Some of the indoor buildings are old and have some limitations.

If you have any worries during the festival, please speak to a member of staff for more information. They’ll be wearing hi-vis or a black t-shirt with the WOW Rotherham logo on it.

You are welcome to bring your dog to any of the outdoor activity, however, do be aware that it might be noisy! Well behaved dogs are welcome in Rotherham Minster and the Imperial Buildings. Guide dogs are welcome.

During WOW Rotherham Festival head to the Information Point at Rotherham Minster where you can meet two BSL interpreters who will be happy to guide you around the festival site.

See the digital programme here to find out more about the panels.

Yes.  All toilets listed below are free to use.

There are gendered toilets available inside Rotherham Minster and All Saints’ Centre.

There are gender neutral toilets at Grimm & Co.

There is a changing places toilet at Grimm & Co.

The Bus Interchange and Rotherham Markets also have gendered toilets.

Yes. Baby changing facilities can be found inside Rotherham Minster and Grimm & Co.

Please note, the baby changing facilities inside Rotherham Minster have stepped access.

Train

PLEASE BE AWARE THERE ARE WORKS TAKING PLACE AT SWINTON TRAIN STATION ON SATURDAY 9TH MAY 2026. This will effect anyone wanting to travel from Swinton Train Station to Rotherham Central.

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.

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.

You can download more parking information here.

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 

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, RMBC, Children’s Capital of Culture, WOW Global or any other event partners promotional materials or have any other queries or concerns, please speak to a member of event staff.

Drop us an email on [email protected]

1. Rotherham Minster – Exhibition

  • Indoor
  • May be noisy, no queues
  • Genders toilets
  • Baby Change
  • Some seating available

2. All Saints’ Square – Performances

  • Outdoor
  • May be noisy
  • Gendered toilets
  • Disabled toilet
  • Some seating available

3. Minster Yard – Community Village, Performances

  • Outdoor
  • May be noisy
  • Some seating available

4. Minster Gardens – Marketplace

  • Outdoor
  • May be noisy, possible queues
  • Some seating available

5. High Street – Performances, Night Sisters Market, Colour Analysis

  • Outdoor
  • May be noisy
  • Some seating available

6. The Imperial Buildings – Workshops

  • Indoor
  • May be noisy
  • Some seating available
  • May have to queue

Accessibility

At WOW Rotherham we care about making all of our events as accessible as possible.

If you have any questions or queries about access please drop us an email here: [email protected]