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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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S1 Artspace

CURRENTLY CLOSED. An artist-led gallery and studio complex, responsible for one of Sheffield's most exciting contemporary art programmes. Now working on plans for a new permanent home.

Yorkshire Artspace: Persistence Works

Over a hundred artists have made their home at Yorkshire Artspace. Once a year, its two sites become galleries for Open Studios weekend, a fantastic opportunity to see inside the workspaces of some of Sheffield’s creative residents.

Lyceum Theatre

From the front, the Lyceum is a candy-coloured palace, while inside, the gold swirls of its proscenium arch and its elaborate Edwardian fittings only add to the fairytale feel. The theatre is big on West End musicals, panto and opera.

Steel City Beer & Cider Festival

Kelham Island Museum

Sheffield CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) know a thing or two about good beer, cider and perry. Join them for their 50th edition in 2026 – dates and details to be confirmed.