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

Photos from Off the Shelf 2022

Autumn in Sheffield is pretty much synonymous with literary delights, as Off the Shelf festival of books, words and ideas returns to the city. The festival hosts a programme packed with talks and readings from world renowned authors and poets, famous folk off the telly, and a few knowledgable locals.

Each year, the festival absorbs audiences in topics ranging from pop music to politics, fine art to feminism.

Come back soon for dates and our highlights among the writer talks, workshops and events in the 2026 programme.

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Warda Yassin

A British-Somali poet born and raised in Sheffield. Winner of the 2018 New Poets Prize, Warda is dedicated to her craft and encouraging young people to reap the benefits of writing.

Common Threads Festival

Wed. 9 September 2026 — Sat. 12 September 2026

108 The Moor, S1 4PD

A festival showcasing textile crafts and stories from around the world.

Kelham Island Books and Music

A secondhand book and vinyl shop with a well-curated selection of local history, fantasy, crime thrillers, walking guides, and folk recordings.

Otis Mensah

Sheffield's first poet laureate. A radical performer with a clear vision of poetry and rap as a means of communicating emotion.