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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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Double Somersault

A playful and dramatic public artwork by William Pye, sitting at the entrance to Weston Park Museum.

Sheffield Cocktail Festival

Sat. 28 February 2026

The Steamworks, 109-111 Randall Street, Highfield, S2 4SJ

One big cocktail party. With iconic Sheffield venues, big-name brands, DJs, masterclasses and more. Plus great food and options for beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sheffield Indie Book Festival

Sat. 25 April 2026 — Sun. 26 April 2026

New for 26. Celebrating stories, and the shops and publishers who keep them alive. From La Biblioteka, Juno Books, Hillsborough Bookshop, Novel, Graphic Novel Reading Room, Rhyme & Reason, Kelham Island Books & Music, Next Chapter, & Porter Bookshop.

Sheffield Chamber Music Festival

Fri. 15 May 2026 — Sat. 23 May 2026

Playhouse

Nine days of intimate and inviting classical music performances for all ages. The 2026 event includes a performance of collaborative work by Morton Feldman and Samuel Beckett, an opera for children, a day of music and walking in the Peaks, and more.