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...

Pinball Park

Florence Blanchard's playful, 1000-square-metre floor painting makes Pinball Park come alive with energy. With its pops of colour and fantastic flowing forms, this mural – titled Bounce! – is a truly joyful feature in the Cultural Industries Quarter.

The Ladies Football Club

Sat. 28 February 2026 — Sat. 28 March 2026

Crucible Theatre

When World War 1 forces men onto the frontline, the women of Sheffield take their place in the factories – and on the football pitch. They play to crowds of over 50,000, unaware that something will soon blow the whistle on their beautiful game.

Future Now Festival of Creativity

Wed. 1 April 2026 — Fri. 31 July 2026

An annual showcase of work by Sheffield Hallam University’s graduating artists, designers, filmmakers, animators, writers, architects and performers.

The Misses Vickers

When he painted this piece in 1886, John Singer Sargent said: "I am to paint several portraits in the country and three ugly women at Sheffield, dingy hole." Nevertheless, it's one of our Jane's top 3 Sheffield artworks.

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