Posted: 31 July 2026
City of Doncaster Council is delighted to announce the opening of Summer in the City, a month-long programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment beginning this Saturday, 1st August, on Yorkshire Day.
Summer in the City set up...
Made possible through the Government's Pride in Place Fund, Summer in the City will transform the city centre into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors throughout August, with activities taking place from Thursday to Sunday each week, culminating in an extended finale over the August Bank Holiday weekend, including Bank Holiday Monday.
At the heart of the event will be a popular beach-themed attraction featuring sand, mini golf and children's rides, offering families the perfect opportunity to enjoy a traditional seaside experience in the heart of Doncaster.
More than 20 partner organisations will be contributing to the programme, delivering a wide range of activities and experiences throughout the month. Visitors can take part in arts and crafts sessions, circus skills workshops, yoga classes and a variety of sporting activities.
To mark the opening day on Yorkshire Day, visitors can enjoy a special performance from the Flat Cap Brass Band, which will take to the Square during the afternoon celebrations.
Access to the beach-themed activities is available for £5 per child for a two-hour session, while many of the additional activities and entertainment on offer throughout the programme will be provided free of charge.
The programme has been designed to provide something for all ages, with a focus on family-friendly activities during the daytime from art lessons to yoga, film making to skateboarding, with a relaxed evening atmosphere centred around the event's tipi venue, featuring music and an inviting space to unwind and socialise.
"I am delighted that, through the Government's Pride in Place Programme, we have been able to support this fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy everything that Summer in the City has to offer. This investment allows us to build on our already strong programme of events, including this year's celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the St Leger Festival, while bringing a wide range of activities into the heart of Doncaster for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.
This really does feel like one of our strongest summer programmes yet. Alongside popular events such as Doncaster Pride and DN One Live, Summer in the City will transform Sir Nigel Gresley Square into a vibrant destination throughout August, creating new opportunities for families, young people and visitors to spend time in the city centre. We also have fantastic local businesses, market traders, cafés, restaurants, bars and shops that make Doncaster a great place to visit, and I would encourage everyone to come and experience the atmosphere, support local businesses and make the most of everything on offer this summer. Summer in the City is exactly the sort of enhanced programme I set out to achieve when Cabinet approved our City Centre Strategy. By animating public spaces, delivering more events and creating vibrant experiences we are attracting visitors and encouraging longer stays in the city centre. The programme aims to boost footfall, support local businesses and provide families with accessible, affordable entertainment during the school holidays.
For the latest programme information and event updates, visit the Summer in the City webpage and follow Doncaster's Summer in The City - Supported By Kids Zone Funfair | Doncaster | Facebook on social media.
