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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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The House Skate Park

On the front of the skate park in Kelham Island, this piece is more structural than figurative – all piping, cogs and wrenches. It features in our top 5 murals by street artist Phlegm.

The Art House

A workshop space and occasional gallery, hidden away off busy Division Street. Try your hand at pottery, life drawing, textiles and watercolour, or join in a 'sip and paint' session over wine.

An Adequate Abridgement of Boarding School Life as a Homo

Thu. 28 May 2026

Drama Studio

This isn’t a coming out story, or a gay tragedy. It is life through the lens of a young queer man, stuck in an institution rife with hyper masculinity and shame.

Festival of Debate

Get informed, inspired and filled with ideas for positive change. With talks on big social, political, environmental and economic issues. The festival is taking a break in 2026 – come back for details of the 2027 event.