Hear one of our most beloved poets read from this collection, a first aid kit for the heart, as well as his other work. Part of Off the Shelf Festival.
What's On
Our Sheffield culture calendar. Filled with picks of the city’s arts, culture and heritage events, both in-person and virtual. Plus reviews and festival guides.
Vanished – Sadiah Qureshi
Mon. 13 October 2025
Drama Studio
This new book explores the history of unnatural extinction, combining stories from the animal and plant world with the extinction of people. It reveals the nature of extinction as imperial legacy and political choice. A necessary and hopeful read.
Celebrating Black Writing
Sat. 11 October 2025 — Fri. 17 October 2025
Winter Garden, 90 Surrey Street, S1 2LH
Guest curator Ruth McDonald celebrates the legacies of Black writers whose powerful words have profoundly transformed our world. This free event invites local voices to share a 5 minute reading of works by poets, song writers, authors and rappers.
Studio Electrophonique: The Sheffield space age, from The Human League to Pulp – Jamie Taylor
Fri. 17 October 2025
Showroom
Author Jamie Taylor and broadcaster Deb Grant discuss Studio Electrophonique, the makeshift home studio Ken Patten constructed in 1961. His legendary DIY pursuits shaped the futuristic sound of 1980s pop of The Human League, Heaven 17, Pulp and ABC.
Sounds of Now: Eliane Radique Roundtable
Sat. 18 October 2025
Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, S1 2JD
Musicians Rhodri Davies, Angharad Davies and Dominic Lash are joined by Louise Gray (writer for The Wire) and author Julia Eckhardt to discuss the work of pioneering French composer Éliane Radigue.
BFI London Film Festival
Wed. 8 October 2025 — Sun. 19 October 2025
Showroom
The BFI London Film Festival is brimming with the world’s best new films, series and immersive storytelling. Everyone is invited when films from the festival come to Sheffield's Showroom this October.
Ramping Up Rights: An Unfinished History Of British Disability Activism – Rachel Charlton-Dailey
Sun. 19 October 2025
Millennium Gallery
This new book synthesises a century of disability resistance. Over 16m people in the UK are disabled yet disability activism is overlooked in history, media and politics. The book honours those who fight for disabled people to live. BSL interpreted.
On Community, Solidarity and Burnout – Preeti Dhillon, Tawseef Khan, Evie Muir
Tue. 21 October 2025
Millennium Gallery
Author Preeti Dhillon is joined by Tawseef Khan and Evie Muir to discuss important aspects of community activism, solidarity and burnout. Told through 10 moments, her book brings to light the forgotten history of Britain’s anti-racist campaigners.
The Starspotter’s Guide – Sheila Kanani
Thu. 23 October 2025
The Auditorium, University of Sheffield Students’ Union, Western Bank, S10 2TG
Planetary physicist, science presenter and educator Sheila Kanani weaves together science and storytelling to explore our infinite night sky. Her new book shares stories about the stars that cultures across the world have told through time.
Diverse Islands: British and Irish Multiculturalism – Kieran Connell, Emer O’Neill & Charlotte Rea-Patel
Sat. 25 October 2025
Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Recent years have seen white ethno-nationalists parading British & Irish towns & cities expressing hatred of people different from them. The panel explores causes, their experiences as racialised people & lessons from history to aid our resistance.
SEN Living in Colour
Sat. 25 October 2025
Showroom
A vibrant, inclusive event celebrating neurodiversity. Connecting families, professionals and the wider community through workshops, storytelling and creative activities that promote understanding, acceptance and belonging
Kelham Island Walks
Multiple dates
Kelham Island, S3
Explore the past and present of characterful Kelham Island and Neepsend, with walks on three themes. Discover stories of industrial Sheffield, working class community, and inspiring art.
Black History Month Community Civic Service
Sun. 26 October 2025
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral host the second annual Community Civic Service for Black History Month, celebrating the national theme for 2025: Standing Firm in Power and Pride. With gospel music, speakers and community information.
Sonita: Daughters for Sale – Sonita Alizada
Sun. 26 October 2025
Firth Hall
Sonita Alizada is a global changemaker, activist and rap artist. In conversation with Auriel Majumdar, she shares her powerful memoir, growing up in Afghanistan and becoming an artist and activist, creating a world where every girl’s voice is heard.
Messiaen Roundtable
Sat. 1 November 2025
Playhouse
Leading Messiaen scholar Professor Christopher Dingle joins musicians from Ensemble 360 for a roundtable discussion of one of the great masterpieces of the twentieth century: Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
Black History Month: A Touch of Black Health
Fri. 3 October 2025 — Sat. 1 November 2025
Showroom
An immersive, community-led Black History Month programme designed to explore and honour the full spectrum of Black health: physical, mental, financial, environmental and social.
Untold Story: Empowered – Nina Bhadreshwar
Thu. 6 November 2025
Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Journalist, writer and cultural connector Nina Bhadreshwar talks to her former student and Slambarz founder Dom Heslop. They'll explore Nina’s work with artists such as Tupac and inspiring young people to write, question and express themselves.
Sheffield Home of Football Guided Walks
Multiple dates
Take a fascinating stroll around Sheffield city centre, as you explore the stories of how the modern game of football emerged in Sheffield and the early pioneers of the global game.
Sheffield Transformed Festival
Fri. 28 November 2025 — Sun. 30 November 2025
SADACCA, 48 Wicker, S3 8JB
A weekend of left-wing politics and culture. With discussions on local, national and international issues, plus a party.
Gaslight Melodramas: Murderous Men and Persecuted Women!
Wed. 15 October 2025 — Wed. 3 December 2025
Showroom
The origin of the term ‘gaslighting’ dates back well before the internet made it commonplace. This series of talks and screenings in the Showroom's Film Studies programme will look at four films from the 1940s in this rich vein of murder melodramas.
Too Much: Melodrama on Film
Wed. 15 October 2025 — Thu. 4 December 2025
Showroom
A season celebrating the visual and emotional excess of melodrama in film – from the silent era to the present day.
Celebrating 150 Years of Weston Park Museum
Weston Park Museum
This summer, join one of our city’s best-loved museums as it kicks off celebrations for its 150th anniversary. Including chance to play retro games, build a giant 3D map of the city, create decorations for the museum's big birthday party, and more.
Making Our Own Table: African Theatre and Performance in the UK
Mon. 2 February 2026
Utopia Creative Hub, 11 Rockingham Gate, S1 4JD
Join Utopia Theatre for their new symposium-style event. You can be a part of an inspiring exchange amongst local, regional and international creatives and academics.
Sheffield Beer Week
7 days of beery fun. With brewery tours and tastings, beer and food pairings, pub walks, workshops tap takeovers, and more. Held each March – come back soon for details of Sheffield Beer Week 2026.
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 usually takes place in April and May – come back soon for details of the 2026 event.
Kelham Pride
Sat. 20 June 2026
Kelham Island
A parade and street party, celebrating and bringing together the local LGBTQ+ community and their allies. With live musicians, DJs, drag queens, comedians, family-friendly activities, fringe events, and more. Stay tuned for Kelham Pride 2026 details.
Crossed Wires Festival
Thu. 2 July 2026 — Sun. 5 July 2026
Bringing some of the UK's top names in podcasting from your headphones to the stage for one weekend. Come back soon for details of Crossed Wires 2026.