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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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The Crawl

Thu. 14 May 2026

Drama Studio

An explosive physical comedy, as two swimmers go head-to head in the race of a lifetime – on a stage with no water.

The Actors Works Play Reading: My Sister Wife (film script)

Sat. 6 June 2026

Unit 13, Harland Works, 70 John St, S2 4QU

Read together through Meera Syal's film script for My Sister Wife.

Sheffield DocFest

Wed. 10 June 2026 — Mon. 15 June 2026

Showroom

The world of documentary film descends on Sheffield each June. With fascinating factual films, innovative storytelling exhibitions and inspiring talks. Come back soon for our guide to the 2026 festival.

Westhill Lane

Book and record shop Rare and Racy is no longer with us but at least we can enjoy the Phlegm mural round back while it's still standing. The cosmic scene features planets hanging from claw machines and astronomers whose eyes bulge through telescopes.