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Sheff Herd.
We are a community magazine, bringing you the best of Sheffield.
Herd Hangouts - Venue Spotlights
Scene and Herd - News & Reviews
Herd the Word - A Celebration of Steel City's Peak Creative Writing.
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Scene and Herd
EVENT OF THE WEEK
w/c 18th May 2026
Sheffield’s biggest free celebration of food and drink returns Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May 2026 across the city centre. Now in its 15th year, Sheffield Food Festival once again takes over the Peace Gardens, Winter Garden, Town Hall Square, Millennium Square and Fargate, positioning itself as a broad showcase of local food, drink and music.
Street food remains the backbone of the food offerings, with around 60 traders offering a mix of global dishes - ranging from Caribbean and Vietnamese street food to pizza, poutine and loaded fries - designed for informal, walk-and-eat browsing. Alongside this, the Artisan Market shifts the focus towards produce and take-home items, with stalls selling everything from baked goods and craft chocolate to coffee, spirits and preserves from independent producers. A separate drinks and desserts offering rounds things out with sweets, iced drinks and patisserie-style options, with plenty of dietary alternatives available.
A notable addition this year is Yard Ball, which brings a more social, activity-led element into the programme, sitting alongside the food as part of the festival’s wider appeal. This fits into a broader mix of “festival fun” that extends beyond eating and drinking, helping to keep the event accessible to families and groups.
Music also continues to play a central role. The Grassroots Music Stage runs across the weekend in the Peace Gardens and Town Hall Square, with a line-up focused on emerging Sheffield artists rather than big-name headliners. Performers including Scarlet Kirwan, Thom Cowley, Kelain James and Georgie Mills reinforce the festival’s wider commitment to showcasing talent from the city.
This bank holiday festival looks both delicious and entertaining!
Read more about the full line up here
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Herd the Word
EVENT OF THE WEEK
w/c 18th May 2026
For Sheffield’s poetry community - or anyone curious about stepping into it - Poetry Sub Club offers a different kind of literary gathering this week at Sheffield Central Library.
Taking place on Wednesday 20th from 6–7.30pm, the free event moves away from the traditional open mic format and instead creates a space for readers and writers to explore poetry magazines and journals together, led by local poetry legend Susie Wilson.
The evening will feature group discussion, recommendations and a chance to delve into publications including Hope Valley Journal and Carmen et Error. Attendees are also invited to bring along magazines to share or swap, although newcomers can simply turn up and join in.
Designed as an inclusive and informal space, it’s an opportunity for Sheffield’s poetry lovers to discover new writing, exchange ideas and perhaps even find inspiration for where their own work could end up next.
MAY 2026
TOP 4
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Your guide to the month ahead.
Check out our weekly event recommendations every Monday.
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Get Together Festival
Kelham Island and Neepsend’s Get Together on 16th May is one of Sheffield’s key indie all-dayers, and 2026 is looking great.
The lineup is led by The Horrors, Fat Dog, Erol Alkan, DEADLETTER, Lime Garden, Jessica Winter, Gwenno, and Alexis Taylor, alongside a deep bill of emerging bands spread across lots of venues: Peddler; Yellow Arch; Heist,
Neepsend Social Club;
Alder; Grafters and
The Victoria
It’s very much a “bounce between stages and discover your new favourite act” kind of day, with a mix of indie, electronic and left-field pop. Tickets are selling out but available here
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Weston Park Fayre
The Weston Park May 17th Fayre is a free, day-long event that brings together live music, performances and local stalls in the centre of Sheffield. It’s designed as an accessible, family-friendly occasion with activities spread across the park so people can dip in and out throughout the day.
Music plays a steady background role, with performances from local brass bands, folk acts and acoustic musicians, alongside the occasional indie-style set. Around this, visitors can browse craft and food stalls, watch roaming circus performers, and use the children’s rides and activity areas.
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Sheffield Food Festival
Sheffield Food Festival returns to the city centre from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May, marking its 15th year as one of Sheffield’s largest free public events. Taking place across key central locations including the Peace Gardens, Town Hall Square and Millennium Square, the festival brings together street food traders, artisan producers, bars and drinks specialists, with a clear focus on local and regional businesses. The layout encourages people to move between areas at their own pace, with food stalls, markets and pop-up kitchens spread throughout the heart of the city.
Alongside the food and drink, the festival also programmes live music and family-friendly activities across the weekend. A dedicated grassroots music stage showcases emerging Sheffield artists, while demonstration kitchens host chef-led talks and cookery sessions.
There’s also a strong emphasis on accessibility and participation, from fairground rides and children’s activities to informal spaces to sit, eat and take a break.
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Too Damn Loud Festival
At Sidney & Matilda, Too Damn Loud Festival puts its full weight behind the heavier end of Sheffield’s DIY music scene.
Taking place on Saturday 30th May, the festival is built around punk, noise, hardcore and abrasive electronics, with a tightly packed line-up that prioritises energy over polish. The focus is very much on bands and artists who thrive in intense live settings, making the most of one of our city's best venues.
Running from mid‑afternoon into the night, Too Damn Loud leans into the raw character of the basement space, where volume, sweat and proximity are part of the appeal. The line up is really strong with acts including Skint Knees, Mannequins, Harlot, Ratpakk and The Red Stains, amongst others.
It’s a festival that reflects Sheffield’s long-standing grassroots culture and is a great way to end the month.