This website uses cookies. Read more about our cookie/privacy policy.

Accept and Close

The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Migration Matters Festival

Migration Matters 2024, photo by Smart Banda

In 2007 Sheffield became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary – a place that welcomes asylum-seekers and refugees, that offers a hand to people in need of safety. Held around Refugee Week each June, Migration Matters Festival is a celebration of diversity and the positive impact migration and refugees have in Sheffield.

The festival launched in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum and Syrian refugee crisis. Each year the Migration Matters programme brings communities together over fantastic, globe-spanning variety of theatre, music, dance, workshops, exhibitions, and more.

Come back soon for dates and details of Migration Matters 2026.

You might also like...

In Conversation: On the Border of my Peaceful Home

Tue. 24 June 2025 — Wed. 23 December 2026

Graves Gallery

An exhibition curated by artist Kedisha Coakley, bringing together artworks, objects and specimens from Sheffield’s collection to explore the relationship between empire and the trade in fruit and flowers.

Sheffield Wine Week

Wed. 24 June 2026 — Sun. 28 June 2026

One week of activities from wine-advocating venues across Sheffield. Organised by the folks at Tenaya Wine in Crookes and The Old Shoe in the city centre. Come back soon for details of the third Sheffield Wine Week in 2026.

Drama Studio

A beautifully converted church on the University of Sheffield campus, hosting student theatre, festival events and new performance.

Kedisha Coakley

Inspired by African and Caribbean cultures, artist Kedisha Coakley invites people on a mesmerising journey of childhood memories, cultural symbols and spiritual iconography.