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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Migration Matters

In 2007 Sheffield became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary – a place that welcomes and offers safety to asylum-seekers and refugees. It's fitting, then, that the city is home to the UK's largest Refugee Week festival: Migration Matters.

Since 2016, the arts festival has celebrated the positive impact that migration and refugees have had on Sheffield and beyond.

Migration Matters 2023 takes place 16–24 June. The programme features music, comedy, conversation, art, theatre, film and more. Many events are free. For others, free tickets are available to those experiencing financial hardship, seeking sanctuary, or who have limited means.

See below for our highlights for Migration Matters 2023. And see the full programme for lots, lots more.