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

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.

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Evening Talk: Ryan Mosley

Wed. 18 March 2026

Graves Gallery

An enlightening evening talk with acclaimed British painter Ryan Mosley, whose richly imaginative canvases have made him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary figurative art.

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Mon. 9 March 2026 — Mon. 16 March 2026

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Higher Fields Festival

Sat. 27 June 2026

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An outdoor grassroots music festival, new for summer 2026. Bringing together DIY musicians, crews and communities from South Yorks and beyond – including Gut Level, Hatch, Groundwork and Grub Records and more. Followed by an afterparty at Steamworks.

More Than a Degree: 120 Years of Life at the Student Union

Mon. 2 February 2026 — Sun. 28 June 2026

Western Bank Library

An exhibition of historic items and photographs from the University archives and heritage collections, sharing a wealth of stories of student life to inform, surprise and entertain.