Out of this World

Sheffield’s Festival of Sci-fi, Magic and Halloween

Sunday 22 October 10:30am to 5:30pm, Sheffield City Centre

Back for its ninth year, this free city centre event celebrates all things otherworldly and is for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, comic books, gaming, magic, illusion, Halloween and all things spooky.



Spread across the city centre, it attracts thousands of adults and children (many in costume), who come to see and enjoy this weird, wonderful and wacky event.

Sci-fi, comic and gaming

Winter Garden, Tudor Square, Town Hall, Millennium Square and the Peace Gardens

The ever popular sci-fi, comic book, gaming and fantasy areas are home to comic book artists, costumers, trade stalls and displays. You’ll encounter your favourite heroes and villains including Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Ghostbusters and The Superheroes to name just a few.



A popular zone to find, or photobomb, your favourite superhero, get hold of the latest character, comicon and gaming must haves and enter our Baby Kong set if you dare. Share a dance with our children’s film and animation favourites meet and greets, time travel (back to the 80s) with Transformers and enjoy an Instagram moment at the Barbie Box.



See if you can spot the Crystal Ball globe to find out your fortunes. Loveable prankster robot Sparky is always fun, but watch out for his hidden water pistol. With Pokemon, Baby Kong, Tardis and Dalek displays and a Star Trek Nerf range – there’s plenty for everyone to see and do!

Magic and Illusion

Millennium Square, Town Hall and Peace Gardens

A programme of mystifying illusion and magic - some of the UK’s best magicians and illusionists can be found in this zone. Magic that will astound you - from sleight of hand to the weird and wonderful!



Joining us this year in the Magic zone for your delight and entertainment is Dr Phantasma and his ever changing cast of the unusual and the strange, including Dangerous Steve's thrilling juggling feats, Romana’s amazing fans of fire and see her attempt to ascend a ladder of razor sharp swords completely bare-foot and blindfolded! The ever popular Professor Jon’s Flea Circus returns with new fleas to perform amazing feats for your delight and the Tent of Mystery will keep you guessing all event long.



Rachel the Enchantress invites all budding young spellcasters to enter her den of magic for a fun, imaginative and creative session. Young witches and wizards will learn magic spells, design and make a wand, turn their grownups into frogs and even make them disappear. Or try our sci-fi themed workshops to amaze and delight your friends. Led by an experienced magician, this workshop will show you how to make objects defy gravity and even disappear with the invisibility apparatus. Tickets are free but must be picked up from the steward in front of the Town Hall to ensure your place.

Halloween

Town Hall Square, Town Hall, Peace Gardens, Pinstone St and Surrey St

Little Monsters will be running loose about the event this year, so get your Halloween fancy dress on and enjoy some spooky attractions!



Our talented Sheffield kids from local dance groups Funky Dance Fever and Razzmataz will give you shivers with their dance tricks, it will definitely be a treat.



Visit Frankenstein’s monster trapped in his Pumpkin Patch as he plays his tricks in the Peace Gardens but beware of getting too close, he’s trying to persuade you to set him free to cause chaos around the event.



If that isn’t scary enough for you, you can always go retro on the classic Ghost Train on Surrey Street.



Barney Baloney will amaze and delight youngsters and adults alike with his wacky tricks, tongue in cheek humour and his on theme soundtrack to the event. He will be joined by the Techno Spartans dance crew with their stunning light up costumes.

With plenty of trade stalls and caterers around the event it may also be the perfect time to pick up your last minute Halloween must haves, grab a bite to eat or make a start on the festive shopping.