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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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The Other Festival

Fri. 24 July 2026 — Sun. 26 July 2026

Sidney & Matilda

Sidney & Matilda may take the cake for the most stacked lineup of the fringe with over 50 acts across three days (won’t somebody think of the sound guy!). Including country-dream-pop, new-wave electronica combined with general hilarity, and lots more.

Otis Mensah

Sheffield's first poet laureate. A radical performer with a clear vision of poetry and rap as a means of communicating emotion.

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.

Lick of Paint

A mural and street art festival. Returning for a second edition in 2027. Expect smaller creative events from the team throughout 2026 though – watch this space for details!