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

Off the Shelf

Photos from Off the Shelf 2022

Autumn in Sheffield is pretty much synonymous with literary delights, as Off the Shelf festival of books, words and ideas returns to the city. The festival hosts a programme packed with talks and readings from world renowned authors and poets, famous folk off the telly, and a few knowledgable locals.

Each year, the festival absorbs audiences in topics ranging from pop music to politics, fine art to feminism.

Come back soon for dates and our highlights among the writer talks, workshops and events in the 2026 programme.

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Sheffield Heritage Open Days

Fri. 11 September 2026 — Sun. 20 September 2026

Ten days to explore heritage treasures across the city.

Sheffield Space Centre

Sheffield Space Centre opened its doors in 1978, around the time Star Wars fever first took over the world. It’s been at the centre of the city’s science fiction universe ever since.

Helen Mort

A poet with one foot in Sheffield and another in Derbyshire, who finds inspiration at the top of hills, in ghost stories, pubs, friendship, the aftertaste of whisky, the miners' strike, and in lost love.

Everywhere At Once: Sheffield

Fri. 26 June 2026 — Sun. 28 June 2026

Bringing the festival season to grassroots venues across the country for one big weekend. Sheffield's lineup includes Jim Ghedi, Jodie Harsh​​​​​​​, Toddla T and more, at venues Sidney & Matilda, Lughole, FORGE Warehouse, Gut Level and Dryad Works.