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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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Beth Davies

"Everybody’s life is worthy of poetry." The Sheffield Poet Laureate for 2024–2026 talks to us about creative community, accessibility in poetry, and the potential for inspiration in everything.

Otis Mensah

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

Kelham Pride

Sat. 20 June 2026

Kelham Island

A parade and street party, celebrating and bringing together the local LGBTQ+ community and their allies. With live musicians, DJs, drag queens, comedians, family-friendly activities, fringe events, and more. Stay tuned for Kelham Pride 2026 details.

Sheffield Indie Book Festival

Sat. 25 April 2026 — Sun. 26 April 2026

New for 26. Celebrating stories, and the shops and publishers who keep them alive. From La Biblioteka, Juno Books, Hillsborough Bookshop, Novel, Graphic Novel Reading Room, Rhyme & Reason, Kelham Island Books & Music, Next Chapter, & Porter Bookshop.