Out of this World
Sheffield’s Festival of Sci-fi, Magic and Halloween!
Out of this World 2024
Sunday 27 October
10:30am - 5:30pm
Celebrating its tenth year, Out of this World is a FREE family event celebrating all things otherworldly!
Taking place across Sheffield City Centre, the event is for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, comic books, gaming, magic, illusion, Halloween and all things spooky.
Every year, it attracts thousands of adults and children (many in costume), who come to see and enjoy this weird, wonderful and wacky event.
The event is spilt into zones across Sheffield Winter Garden, Tudor Square, the Town Hall, Millennium Square, the Peace Gardens, Barker's Pool and along Surrey Street.
With stalls, street entertainment, magic shows, activities and fairground rides, there'll be lots to see and do, so don your favourite fancy dress and come join in the fun.
Download the official Out of this World map to see what's happening where or scroll on for more details about each zone.
Sci-Fi, Comic and Gaming Zone
Winter Garden, Tudor Square, Town Hall 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 Short Circuit’s Johnny Five (I’m Alive!). Keep your eyes open for a few superheroes too.
A popular zone to find, or photobomb, your movie and comic book favourites, get hold of the latest character and comicon and gaming must haves.
Enter the Nightmare before Christmas set to get in the mood for the festive season - maybe. Share a dance with your favourite children’s film and animation costume characters at their meet and greets.
See if you can keep up with the Slo:Ridas (a pair of cheeky, bike riding sloths) or strike your best pose with human-sized Star Wars and Barbie boxes. With Groot, Ghostbusters and Pokemon displays – there’s plenty for everyone to see and do!
Magic and Illusion Zone
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!
Step right up and witness the jaw-dropping spectacle of Dr Phantasma's Sideshow! Be amazed as fearless performers swallow blazing flames in a mesmerising display of fire-eating mastery!
Watch in awe as chainsaw juggling daredevil defies danger with every spin. Marvel at the Ladder of Swords, where one wrong step could mean disaster! And don't miss the grand finale - the Mysterious Blade Box, a spine-tingling stunt where the boundaries of reality and danger blur before your very eyes.
The World’s smallest performer dazzle at the ever popular Professor Jon’s Flea Circus returns with new fleas to perform amazing feats for your delight. It's a charming, fun-filled show for the whole family, full of wonder and laughter.
Watch closely at the Tent of Mystery as everyday objects transform before your eyes and expect the unexpected in a performance filled with comedy, surprises and where reality bends and mystery reigns supreme!
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 the 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 Zone
Town Hall Square, Town Hall, Peace Gardens, Pinstone St and Surrey St
Little Monsters will be running loose again this year, so get your Halloween fancy dress on and enjoy some spooky attractions!
Gather round all ye mummies and deadies, bouys and ghouls….listen to these dead men tellin' no tales! The captains of their very own grim galleons the OOOAARGH! Pirates glide like ghosts of the seven seas, liftin’ the spirits with their supernatural ships.
They turn Dad Jokes into Dead Jokes! Guaranteeing a moan and a groan, an ooooh and an aaargh!
But we ain’t afraid of no ghosts, because the Ghostbusters will be round and about keeping a watchful eye on the event and an ear to their PKE Meter to keep the spirits at bay.
Talented Sheffield kids from local dance groups Funky Dance Fever and Razzmataz will also give you shivers with their dance tricks, it will definitely be a treat.
Visit The Joker 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 delight youngsters and adults alike with his tongue in cheek compering and on-theme soundtrack to the event. He will be joined by the Techno Spartans dance crew with their stunning light up costumes and Lawrence Bennet Dance will demonstrate his thriller moves in Town Hall Square.
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.
