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

Festival of the Mind

Amazing work goes on behind university walls. New ideas constantly bounce from one laboratory or seminar room to the next. With a little help from Sheffield's creative community, that work and those ideas are let loose in the city throughout the Festival of the Mind.

Every other autumn, academic and creative minds from Sheffield come together to host exhibitions, talks, screenings, performances and more, in venues across the city. Past editions of Festival of the Mind have also brought to town a Spiegeltent, a glorious 18th century structure that's acted as the festival's hub.

Come back soon to find out what's in store for the next Festival of the Mind in autumn 2026.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the festival's Facebook page for updates.

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Pinball Park

Florence Blanchard's playful, 1000-square-metre floor painting makes Pinball Park come alive with energy. With its pops of colour and fantastic flowing forms, this mural – titled Bounce! – is a truly joyful feature in the Cultural Industries Quarter.

Kedisha Coakley

Inspired by African and Caribbean cultures, artist Kedisha Coakley invites people on a mesmerising journey of childhood memories, cultural symbols and spiritual iconography.

Otis Mensah

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

Yorkshireman

A friendly rock pub with the motto "silence is overrated" – complete with jukebox and basement gig venue. Live performances specialise in rock, punk and metal, while it also hosts comedy nights and a regular drag show.