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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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Open Works

Mon. 28 September 2026 — Sat. 10 October 2026

Playhouse

A theatre festival dedicated to fresh perspectives and powerful stories, bringing unheard stories to the stage. Apply now to be part of it.

Float Along Festival

Sat. 26 September 2026

Float Along music festival returns to Sheffield city centre to do it all again for the fifth year running. The lineup so far includes: White Lies, Sprints, Warmduscher, Opus Kink, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Nuha Ruby Ra, Gia Ford and more.

Porter Book Shop

A chalkboard out front invites “stuff fans” into this small but stacked secondhand bookshop on the independent high street of Sharrow Vale Road.

Rhyme and Reason

For over two decades this colourful, charming shop has specialised in books for children. In recent years it’s expanded into a place where adults too can treat themselves to a new read.