This website uses cookies. Read more about our cookie/privacy policy.

Accept and Close

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

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 programme for Crossed Wires 2026 includes:

  • British Scandal
  • The Blindboy Podcast
  • Get A Grip with Angela Scanlon & Vicky Pattison
  • Uncanny Cold Cases
  • Bad Chat with Alice Levine and Greg James (+ friends)
  • The Elis and John Show
  • Psychology of your 20s
  • That Boxing Show with Johnny Nelson and Andy Nicholson
  • Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
  • The Screen Rot Podcast
  • If I Speak with Ash Sarkar & Moya Lothian McLean
  • All My Friends Indie Disco after party

Already sold out are:

  • Dig It with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball
  • How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
  • Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club
  • Northern News with Amy Gledhill and Ian Smith
  • Nick Cope's Family Show
  • Story Shed
  • Fun Kids Science Weekly
  • I'm ADHD No You're Not

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.

If I Speak with Ash Sarkar & Moya Lothian McLean

You might also like...

Online Talk: Jyll Bradley In Conversation with Ben Harman

Wed. 25 November 2026

In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, British artist Jyll Bradley will join Ben Harman, Senior Curator of Photography at the National Galleries of Scotland, to talk about her extensive body of photographic work.

Reframing the Lens: spotlight on contemporary Japanese Women Filmmakers

Thu. 5 November 2026 — Fri. 6 November 2026

Showroom

A two-day event focusing on women in Japanese cinema, including screenings, filmmaker Q&A's, and an optional workshop.

The Words Are Coming

Thu. 26 November 2026

Showroom

Showroom's monthly open mic invites writers of all styles are welcome to perform their work.

Kayd Somali Arts presents: Untold Stories Part 2

Sun. 8 November 2026

Showroom

A powerful documentary delving into the experiences of the Somali community in Tower Hamlets. Plus two short films exploring the legacy of Somali women in Sheffield and a Q&A with the directors Asma Kabadeh and Hamda Ali.