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

Migration Matters Festival

Fri. 19 June 2026 — Sat. 27 June 2026

Migration Matters 2024, photo by Smart Banda

In 2007 Sheffield became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary – a place that welcomes asylum-seekers and refugees, that offers a hand to people in need of safety. Held around Refugee Week each June, Migration Matters Festival is a celebration of diversity and the positive impact migration and refugees have in Sheffield.

The festival launched in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum and Syrian refugee crisis. Each year the Migration Matters programme brings communities together over fantastic, globe-spanning variety of theatre, music, dance, workshops, exhibitions, and more.

Migration Matters returns from 19 to 27 June 2026.

Initial announcements for Migration Matters 2026 include Ghanaian-English afrobeats artist Fuse ODG, Live at the Apollo comedy star Desiree Burch, and a symbolic drama on Palestinian resistance in The Horse of Jenin.

Full lineup to be announced soon.

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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.

Tim Etchells

The writer, artist and artistic director has some amazing ideas on how to improve the city.

Zoyander Street

An artist repurposing old technology and “toxic garbage” to create playful and playable forms of documentary – using art and gaming to process ideas around emotion, trans experiences and the self.

The Fringe at Tramlines

Fri. 24 July 2026 — Sun. 26 July 2026

Devonshire Green, 158 Devonshire Street, S1 4GT

Home to the official Tramlines Fringe, the Devonshire Green stage showcases an array of local talent over the festival weekend, all for free. On top of that, expect official and unofficial fringe events to pop up in bars and venues all over the city.