Out of This World

Out of This World returns to Sheffield city centre on Sunday 25 October, running from 10:30 to 17:30. It's one of the city's longest-running family traditions, now in its twelfth year, and it still draws thousands of people into the centre for a single day. The whole thing is run by Sheffield City Council, and it's free to attend.

The festival takes over the pedestrianised shopping streets, with sci-fi, fantasy, magic and Halloween woven across the city centre. It's spread across a fair few spots: the Winter Garden, Tudor Square, Town Hall, the Peace Gardens, Millennium Square, Fargate, Pinstone Street and Town Hall Square. Street entertainment, live demonstrations, comic book characters, fairground rides and street food run alongside themed activity areas, and fancy dress is encouraged for all ages.

There are three main zones to work your way through. The Sci-Fi & Comic Book Zone brings out characters like Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Ghostbusters and Doctor Who, with a Retro Gaming room to go with them. The Magic & Illusion Zone has Dangerous Steve's Sideshow, Ramona on the Ladder of Swords, Professor Jon's Flea Circus and Rachel the Enchantress. Then there's the Halloween & Spooktacular Zone, with Trick and Treat, the Pre Hee Men, the Ghostbusters again, and the classic Ghost Train.

Entry is free and you don't need to book, though you'll collect your tickets from the steward in front of the Town Hall. It runs from 10:30 to 17:30 on Sunday 25 October, across the city centre.