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

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 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.

Sheffield Ceramics Festival

Sat. 18 April 2026 — Sun. 19 April 2026

Kelham Island Museum

Browse the wares of around 50 ceramic artists, potters and sculptors from South Yorkshire and beyond.

Paul Allender: The Promise

Thu. 11 June 2026 — Sat. 20 June 2026

Yellow Arch Studios

Sheffield-based artist Paul Allender presents his recent paintings in the White Room at Yellow Arch. Many aspects of Paul's paintings reflect his experiences of growing up in Neepsend and Parson Cross. With an exhibition opening evening on the 11th.

The Actors Works Play Reading: The Road to Mecca

Sat. 2 May 2026

Unit 13, Harland Works, 70 John St, S2 4QU

May's Play Reading with The Actors Works is The Road to Mecca by Athol Fugard.