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

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.

Let the Light In – Lemn Sissay

Sun. 12 October 2025

Firth Hall

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.

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.