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

Migration Matters Festival

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.

Come back soon for dates and details of Migration Matters 2026.

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GLOAM Gallery

GLOAM is an exhibition and studio space, run by a collective of six artists. Look out for exhibitions here, often shining a spotlight on emerging contemporary artists from across the north.

The Montgomery

Named after 19th-century hymn writer James Montgomery, "the Monty" still retains a Christian ethos, whilst also putting on a theatre programme aimed at "inspiring Sheffield's generations to wonder".

Tom J Newell

One of the most distinctive illustrators in town, with a back catalogue of creepy creatures and writhing skulls.

Graves Gallery

The Graves feels like a bit of a secret, tucked away above the Central Library. But with pieces by Bridget Riley, Marc Quinn, J.M.W. Turner, Grayson Perry and Sam Taylor-Wood, and brilliant temporary exhibitions, it's only right we let you in on it.