Classical Weekend returns in 2025.
The biennial festival is one big celebration of classical music – in all manner of forms, from near and far.
It brings chamber musicians, choirs and orchestras to some of the city's finest music halls, and beyond into public spaces and more intimate and unusual venues.
Many events are free, others start at just £5.
See our top highlights below and check the full Classical Weekend 2025 programme for more.
Programme highlights:
Friday
The Hallé Open Rehearsal
4pm, Sheffield City Hall, free
Chance to see the renowned Hallé orchestra for free, as they prepare for their evening concert at Sheffield City Hall. Arrive by 3:45pm at the front doors of Sheffield City Hall.
Choir Crawl
6–8pm, various city centre venues, free
A series of pop-up choir performances at various venues across the city in succession.
Saturday
Pop-up performances
Times TBC, Winter Garden & Leah's Yard, free
TRACKS Live
1:30pm, Orchard Square, free
TRACKS inspire and nurture the next generation of musicians in Sheffield. Expect to hear live instruments, classical inspired beats and an exploration of how some of the next generation are approaching the sounds of orchestral instruments.
Musical Pocket Playground Workshop with Emergence Collective
3pm, Charter Square, free
Musicians from Emergence Collective host a wonderfully unique free workshop 5-to-8-year-olds. Let your young ones explore the idea of improvisation and experiment with the sounds that these instruments (that are permanently based in Charter Square's Musical Pocket Playground) have to offer in a free collaborative workshop. Pre-booking required – find out more.
Kaoru Bingham
4:30pm, Upper Chapel, £5
Sheffield-based concert pianist Kaoru Bingham presents a recital that spans two centuries of music for piano, with music by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Chopin, and Nick Ray.
Black Gold – Sounds of the Earth
7pm, Sheffield Cathedral, £10–15
A moving celebration of the rich musical history of miners across South Wales and South Yorkshire, featuring Cwmdare and Pelenna Valley Male Voice Choirs with Dodworth Colliery Band.
Hallam Sinfonia: Dance!
7:30pm, Victoria Hall, £5–£15
A variety of dance music, joined by three Sheffield-based dancers led by choreographer and dancer Georgia Rowan.
Sunday
New Music Ensemble
1pm, Gut Level, free (Gut Level membership required – from £2)
A relaxed afternoon concert will be focussed on new LGBTQIA+ composers, performed by the University’s New Music Ensemble, at DIY and LGBTQIA+ space Gut Level.
Carmen
3pm, Canon Medical Arena, £22
Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera on Location, Hallam Choral Society, and the Sheffield Music Education Hub together present a reimagined, English version of Bizet’s classic opera Carmen – a thrilling tale of passion, jealousy and revenge.
- Featured in
- Music picks
- Sheffield Festivals Guide
