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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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Sheffield Adventure Film Festival

Fri. 20 March 2026 — Sun. 22 March 2026

Enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your seat. With some of the best new adventure films from around the world plus a spotlight on locally-made films. Come back soon for details of ShAFF 2026.

Symmetries in Sound - Ensemble 360

Fri. 13 February 2026

Playhouse

A celebration of musical games and mirrors includes. Including Der Spiegel, a piece for two violinists looking at the same sheet of music – one the right way up, the other upside down.

UDAGAN

UDAGAN combine the contemporary technology of live coding with indigenous folklore and shamanic culture from the Arctic North, resulting in otherworldly soundscapes. We spoke to Saydyy-Kuo and Oscar ahead of the duo's performance at Sensoria.

The Sheffield Darkroom

Photographer and self-professed “DSLR-girlie” Wemmy meets Sam and Chris, founders of Sheffield's new darkroom. A calm, inviting space to slow down, reconnect with process and celebrate analogue craft in a digital age.