Summer’s landing, Sheff – and with it comes a packed season of festivals ready to take over the Steel City. From big-top madness in Don Valley to genre-hopping brilliance across a number of city centre spots, there’s something for every kind of punter – whether you’re in it for the music, food, culture, film, general vibes or just the chance to drink some warm, overpriced bevvies in a field with pals.
Here’s a handy little guide to the best of what’s coming up.
SHEFFIELD CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025
When? 16–24 May
Where? Crucible & Playhouse, Sheffield
Celebrate 20 years of Ensemble 360 with nine days of intimate, world-class classical performances at the Sheffield Chamber Music Festival. Hosted by Music in the Round, this year’s festival promises a rich, welcoming programme for all ages. Kicking off with Schubert’s rousing Octet, the week will feature iconic chamber pieces and exciting guest artists, including the Elias String Quartet, sitar virtuoso Jasdeep Singh Degun and legendary percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.
TICKETS: musicintheround.co.uk
GET TOGETHER
When? 17 May
Where? Various venues across Kelham Island and Neepsend
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Get Together Festival returns for a vibrant day of music, art, food and drink. Headlining are Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, with the likes of BC Camplight, The Moonlandingz, Katy J Pearson, Divorce and Swim Deep also joining the bill. Beyond the music, punters can indulge in a curated selection of street food at Peddler Food Village, get stuck into the Kelham Beer Mile and enjoy specially created work from this year’s artist-in-residence Cold War Steve.
TICKETS: gettogetherfestival.com
SHEFFIELD COCKTAIL FESTIVAL
When? 17 May
Where? The Steamworks
Sheffield’s inaugural Cocktail Festival is shaking up the city’s drinks scene, bringing 25 top bars under one roof for a celebration of local creativity and cocktail culture. Expect signature serves from Sheffield’s best bartenders, exclusive masterclasses – think Negroni sessions, beer-cocktail fusions and even Bloody Marys with Henderson’s Relish – plus seasonal bites from Bench, juicy burgers by Cowboy Burger and sweet treats from Bullion. With live DJs and low-/no-alc options thrown into the mix, it’s the easiest bar crawl you’ll do all year.
TICKETS: sheffieldcocktailfestival.co.uk
SHEFFIELD FOOD FEST
When? 24–26 May
Where? Peace Gardens
The city’s largest free-to-attend – and undeniably tastiest – event of the year is back in town and ready to serve up a culinary storm. This year’s Sheffield Food Festival is bringing together 60-plus street food stalls, local bakers and artisan producers serving up everything from regional favourites to sizzling global eats. Expect a wide mix of wares from independent traders, live music and DJ sessions, plus the chance to watch top chefs show off their skills. Come hungry!
FREE – MORE INFO @SHEFFFOODFEST
MIGRATION MATTERS FESTIVAL
When? 20–28 June
Where? Various venues
Ten years ago, the first Migration Matters Festival launched in Sheffield as a way to celebrate sanctuary while bringing people together. A decade on, it has grown into a vibrant celebration renowned for its eclectic multi-genre programming and dedication to platforming under-represented artists. This year’s line-up includes Mercury Award-nominated singer-songwriter Nadine Shah, electronic dub legends the Asian Dub Foundation on their 30th anniversary tour, mesmerising Tanzanian band The Zawose Queens and British-Moroccan comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri. There’s also a community brunch, art exhibitions, fashion shows and comedy nights included in the action-packed programme of 45-plus events.
TICKETS: migrationmattersfestival.co.uk
DOCFEST
When? 18–23 June
Where? Various locations
It’s time again for six days of bold storytelling, big ideas and 100+ brilliant documentaries ranging from feature-length deep-dives to engaging shorts. The UK’s top documentary festival is bringing filmmakers, artists and curious minds from across the globe to Sheffield. Expect gripping world premieres, immersive VR experiences, live talks, social gatherings and art installations – all in venues dotted around the city. Interested? Keep an eye out for the public programme announcement later this month!
TICKETS: sheffdocfest.com
KELHAM PRIDE 2025
When? 21 June
Where? Kelham Island
Kelham Pride is back for another year following its hugely successful inauguration in 2024 which saw over 10,000 people visit the event and a 600 person-strong pride parade walking through the streets of Kelham Island and Neepsend. The free-to-enter day festival is run by a local charity working with local businesses to create a fun and safe space delivering a progressive, inclusive and respectful celebration.
FREE – MORE INFO AT KELHAMPRIDE.COM
CROSSED WIRES
When? 4–6 July
Where? Various locations
The UK’s biggest podcast party is back! Crossed Wires Festival is serving up a three-day celebration of the podcasts you love and the voices behind them. Expect live recordings, exclusive performances, big-name guests and behind-the-scenes insights from shows across comedy, true crime, current affairs, sport, culture and more. Podcasts heading to Sheffield include Dish, Help I Sexted My Boss, No Such Thing as a Fish, Not the Top 20 and Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Podcast.
TICKETS: crossedwires.live
BASSFEST
When? 20–21 July
Where? Don Valley Bowl
One of the UK’s biggest bass music festivals returns to Don Valley Bowl this summer for a weekend of heavy drops and high-energy sets. Bassfest brings together top names from the worlds of drum and bass, house, bassline, garage and more, with artists such as Aitch, Shy FX, DJ Q, TS7, Andy C, East End Dubs and DnB Allstars all going in hard over booming sound systems.
TICKETS: bassfest.co.uk
TRAMLINES
When? 25–27 July
Where? Hillsborough Park
Sheff’s biggest bash is back with some of the biggest names across the live music and comedy circuits heading to S6. Tramlines 2K25 is bringing a jam-packed three days of indie, rock and pop favourites to Hillsborough Park, with a special homecoming for Pulp slated for the Friday evening. Across the weekend, expect sets from Kasabian, Reytons, Franz Ferdinand, The Last Dinner Party, Rizzle Kicks, John Grant and much, much more across five stages – including a comedy tent headlined by Lucy Beaumont, Russell Howard and John Shuttleworth.
TICKETS: tramlines.org.uk
SHEFFIELD MELA
When? 3 August
Where? Firth Park
Get ready for a vibrant celebration of culture, community and unity at Sheffield Mela! This colourful one-day festival brings together music, dance, food, fashion and art from South Asian and global cultures. Expect live performances, delicious street food, family-friendly activities and a joyful atmosphere. Timed to coincide with South Asian Heritage Month celebrations, the festival is all about showcasing the city’s rich diversity.
FREE – MORE INFO AT SHEFFIELDMELA.CO.UK
ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS
When? 27–31 August
Where? Don Valley Bowl
Where music meets circus, and the spectacle never stops! This year’s immersive rock ’n’ roll experience under the big top will feature Queens of the Stone Age, The Wombats, James and Reverend and The Makers, alongside special guests like Viagra Boys, Fat Dog, Pete Doherty, Jenny Beth and Groove Armada. Expect high-energy sets, dazzling acrobatics, jaw-dropping circus entertainment and plenty of top-notch scranning and supping.
TICKETS: rocknrollcircus.co.uk
LICK OF PAINT FESTIVAL
When? 6–7 September
Where? Various locations
Sheffield’s first-ever mural festival is landing this year, bringing bold colour, big ideas and global talent to the city’s streets. Lick of Paint will see local and international artists transform walls, underpasses and overlooked spaces with large-scale murals and street art. Led by local artists Peachzz and Alastair Flindall, the weekend will also spotlight community projects, augmented reality technologies and sustainable creativity – all with a proper Sheffield twist. Expect plenty of striking new visuals and lasting impact.
TICKETS: lickofpaintfest.com
ART IN THE GARDENS
When? 6–7 September
Where? Botanical Gardens
Returning for its 22nd year, Art in the Gardens transforms the Botanical Gardens into the largest outdoor art market in the North. Showcasing work from professional artists, makers and local creatives, the event features thousands of pieces across fine art, sculpture, ceramics, photography and more. With open exhibitions, live demos and locally-sourced food and drink, it’s a perfect day out for art lovers and anyone after a unique handmade find.
TICKETS: welcometosheffield.co.uk
