This website uses cookies. Read more about our cookie/privacy policy.

Accept and Close

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.

You might also like...

Mojisola Kareem-Elufowoju

An artistic director and founder of Utopia Theatre. Working with those underrepresented in the arts and inspiring, engaging and empowering people through African theatre.

Sensoria

Thu. 22 October 2026 — Sun. 25 October 2026

Sheffield's festival of film and music. Expect a truly unique mix of performance, live film scores, screenings, exhibitions, and music industry activity. Come back soon for details of the Sensoria 2026 lineup.

The Sheffield Darkroom

Photographer and self-professed “DSLR-girlie” Wemmy meets Sam and Chris, founders of Sheffield's new darkroom. A calm, inviting space to slow down, reconnect with process and celebrate analogue craft in a digital age.

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.