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

Crossed Wires Festival

Thu. 2 July 2026 — Sun. 5 July 2026

Ticket prices vary

Sheffield's Crossed Wires Festival brings some of the UK's top names in podcasting from your headphones to the stage for one weekend.

The festival returns for its third – and biggest – year in July 2026.

Expect another incredible lineup of live podcast recordings across comedy, current affairs, culture and more, at venues including Sheffield City Hall and the Crucible. Plus food pop-ups, after parties and fringe events.

Led by creative director Greg James, the first names announced for Crossed Wires 2026 are:

  • Dig It with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball
  • How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
  • The Blindboy Podcast
  • If I Speak with Ash Sarkar & Moya Lothian McLean
  • Get A Grip with Angela Scanlon & Vicky Pattison
  • Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
  • Sara & Cardiad's Weirdos Book Club
  • Nick Cope's Family Show
  • Story Shed
  • The Screen Rot Podcast

The BBC Sounds stage will bring the BBC’s signature storytelling and household names to the old Cole Brothers building, for free. And new for 2026, BBC Radio 4 will take over the Montgomery.

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Desi Fest Sheffield Mela

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Sheffield Cocktail Festival

Sat. 28 February 2026

The Steamworks, 109-111 Randall Street, Highfield, S2 4SJ

One big cocktail party. With iconic Sheffield venues, big-name brands, DJs, masterclasses and more. Plus great food and options for beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.