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

Amazing work goes on behind university walls. New ideas constantly bounce from one laboratory or seminar room to the next. With a little help from Sheffield's creative community, that work and those ideas are let loose in the city throughout the Festival of the Mind.

Every other autumn, academic and creative minds from Sheffield come together to host exhibitions, talks, screenings, performances and more, in venues across the city. Past editions of Festival of the Mind have also brought to town a Spiegeltent, a glorious 18th century structure that's acted as the festival's hub.

Come back soon to find out what's in store for the next Festival of the Mind in autumn 2026.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the festival's Facebook page for updates.

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Relaxed Concert: Peter and the Wolf

Wed. 20 May 2026

Playhouse

For this ‘relaxed’ concert of storytelling music, doors will be left open, lights raised, a break-out space provided, and there will be less emphasis on the audience being quiet during the performance.

Fractals & Fugues: Mathematics in Music

Sat. 14 February 2026

Channing Hall, 45 Surrey Street, S1 2LG

As part of Music in the Round’s Percussion, Pattern & Primes weekend, Professor Sarah Hart explores the intriguing connections between music and maths.

Donovan Haffner Quartet

Fri. 6 February 2026

Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, S10 1TD

Rising star saxophonist Donovan Haffner is one of 2025's breakthrough artists, having won Jazz Newcomer at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Presented by Sheffield Jazz.

Pint of Science Festival

Mon. 18 May 2026 — Wed. 20 May 2026

Three nights of science fun. Academics bring their research out of the lab for a series of talks, demos and experiments in pubs, bars and creative spaces. Info for Pint of Science Festival 2026 coming soon.