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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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Kafka Fragments - Claire Booth (soprano) & Tamsin Waley-Cohen (violin)

Thu. 21 May 2026

Playhouse

Music in the Round presents Kafka's Fragments: 40 short excerpts from Kafka’s writings, diaries, and letters – often heartfelt and confessional.

Warda Yassin

A British-Somali poet born and raised in Sheffield. Winner of the 2018 New Poets Prize, Warda is dedicated to her craft and encouraging young people to reap the benefits of writing.

Dami 'The Gannette' Okhiria

A slam poetry champion, medic and comedy connoisseur – observing different social phenomena, expressing them in writing, bringing them to life on stage or in front of the camera, and inviting reflection.

Feldman & Beckett: Words & Music - Claire Booth & Ensemble 360

Mon. 18 May 2026

Playhouse

Originally written as a radio play by Morton Feldman and Samuel Beckett, Words & Music presents a cryptic trialogue between the ailing master Croak and his two servants, Words (played by an actor) and Music (represented by the score).