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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.

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Sheffield General Cemetery

A hillside spot for both the living and the dead, containing stories of wars, epidemics, floods and more between 1836 and 1978. Today it's rich in history, wildlife and architecture. Look out for upcoming gigs, film screenings and exhibitions.

The Sheffield Darkroom

Photographer and self-professed “DSLR-girlie” Wemmy meets Sam and Chris, founders of Sheffield's new darkroom. A calm, inviting space to slow down, reconnect with process and celebrate analogue craft in a digital age.

Yorkshire Artspace: Exchange Place Studios

A beautiful 1920s art deco building, with five floors filled with artists and craftspeople of all persuasions. Also home to an exhibition space, the not-for-profit Carousel Print Studio and communal ceramic studio Clay Space.

Festival of Debate

Get informed, inspired and filled with ideas for positive change. With talks on big social, political, environmental and economic issues. The festival is taking a break in 2026 – come back for details of the 2027 event.