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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 5th October 2026
Sheffield gets a suitably surreal night out this week with a theatrical listening party to celebrate the launch (25th September) of TSarzi’s second album Gone to the Dogs - inspired by the award-nominated Fringe show.
Described as “Victoria Wood on acid” and "the history of England filtered through Lewis Carroll’s subconscious", the show blends comedy, music and satire to take a skewed look at nostalgia, national identity and Britain’s obsession with its past.
The evening brings the world of Gone to the Dogs to life with its cast of eccentric characters, theatrical storytelling and songs, before moving into an acoustic piano set from TSarzi. It promises something closer to a cabaret-style performance than a conventional album launch, with plenty of humour and a deliberately offbeat approach.
For those after something a little different from the usual gig or club night, it’s an intriguing addition to Sheffield’s October line-up.
The Gone to the Dogs listening party takes place on Saturday 10th October at 7.30pm at The White Room, Yellow Arch Studios, with tickets priced at £8–£10.
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Herd the Word
EVENT OF THE WEEK
w/c 5th October 2026
Juno Books has a magical treat in store for book lovers this Bookshop Day, Saturday 10th October, with local author Anna Caig, of bestselling The Wise Witch of Orkney fame, bringing her talents as a tarot reader to the shop.
From 12.30–2pm, Anna will be offering one-card readings to customers using her literary tarot deck — a suitably mysterious addition to the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Caig’s acclaimed novel draws on the folklore and history of Orkney, telling the story of women caught up in Scotland’s terrifying witch-hunts.
There’s plenty more to tempt visitors into Juno, too. Sweets will be available for everyone, while anyone spending £20 will receive a free Juno tote bag to carry their books home in. It’s a chance to meet a local author, browse Juno’s brilliant selection of feminist, queer and independent writing, and perhaps let the cards decide what you should read next.
And why not make a day of Bookshop Day? Take the kids to Rhyme & Reason on Ecclesall Road (particularly good for young readers) or head into town for the beautifully curated shelves at La Biblioteka at Leah’s Yard.
For second-hand treasure hunters, there’s Kelham Island Books + Music and Porter Book Shop, while Knollys and Smart Vintage Books, tucked inside Arundel Emporium on Matilda Street, is a city-centre treasure trove of vintage books, folklore, horror, cult fiction and sci-fi.
With so many independent bookshops to explore, 10th October is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Sheffield’s brilliant bookish community.
OCTOBER 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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Off the Shelf Festival
Sheffield’s Off The Shelf Festival of Words once again brings an impressive range of writers, journalists, historians and performers to venues across the city. Among the headline names are Marina Hyde, whose sharp political commentary has made her one of Britain’s most recognisable columnists; crime novelist and screenwriter Chris Chibnall, best known for creating Broadchurch and leading Doctor Who; and thriller powerhouse Lee Child, appearing with his brother Andrew Child to discuss the latest instalment in the hugely successful Jack Reacher series. Visitors can also hear from Booker Prize-winning novelist Ben Okri, forensic scientist Sue Black, and neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow, ensuring a programme that spans literature, science and contemporary affairs.
The festival also has a strong Yorkshire and Sheffield flavour. Local journalist and author Daniel Dylan-Wray will present Groovy, Laidback and Nasty, his celebration of Sheffield’s musical heritage, while historian David Templeman explores the city’s past in Ye Olde Sheffield Part 2. Poetry remains central to Off The Shelf, with appearances from Helen Mort, Katharine Towers, Carolyn Forché and Kwame Dawes, alongside an event marking the conclusion of Beth Davies’ tenure as Sheffield Poet Laureate. The programme demonstrates the festival’s continuing commitment to both internationally renowned guests and distinctive local voices.
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Contemporary British Painting Prize
As part of Sheffield’s busy autumn cultural calendar, the Contemporary British Painting Prize returns to Yorkshire Artspace this October, showcasing some of the most exciting painting being produced in the UK today. Running until 17th October, the exhibition brings together work by shortlisted artists from across the country, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of styles, subjects and approaches shaping contemporary painting. The prize has established a reputation for highlighting both emerging and established talent, making it a key event for anyone interested in current developments in British visual art.
Rather than focusing on a single theme, the exhibition celebrates the breadth and vitality of contemporary painting, presenting works that explore personal identity, politics, place, memory and the changing nature of representation itself. Visitors can expect to encounter everything from large-scale figurative canvases to more abstract and experimental approaches, reflecting the richness of Britain’s current artistic landscape.
Hosted by Yorkshire Artspace, one of Sheffield’s leading centres for contemporary visual art, the exhibition provides an opportunity for local audiences to experience nationally significant work without leaving the city. For those interested in painting, contemporary culture or the wider visual arts scene, the Contemporary British Painting Prize is one of Sheffield’s most notable exhibitions this autumn and a strong reminder of the city’s growing reputation as a destination for contemporary art.
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Steel City Beer & Cider Festival
Steel City Beer & Cider Festival returns to Kelham Island Museum from Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th October, marking its 50th edition. The festival will feature around 200 cask ales, 70 rotating keg beers and 30 ciders and perries, alongside street food, live entertainment, traditional pub games and demonstrations of the River Don Steam Engine.
The 2026 programme includes talks, tours and tutored tastings, including Where Are All the Women?, a Women On Tap session at 1pm on Saturday led by Rachel Auty, founder of Women On Tap CIC. The session explores women’s role in beer and features three beers brewed by women. Other highlights include a beer-and-music pairing with Pete Brown, a history of Kelham Island Brewery and the popular Heritage Walk, while live music comes from Highway Child, Soul Battalion and The 88s.
The festival opens from 5pm on Wednesday, with earlier preview access for CAMRA members, trade and sponsors, then from 11.30am on Thursday and Friday and 11am on Saturday. Entry is free for CAMRA members, while non-members pay £5 on Thursday and £8 on Friday and Saturday, with a £3 festival glass required.
With its mix of Sheffield brewing heritage, guest beers, cider and a packed programme of events, the festival promises a lively end-of-October celebration at Kelham Island.
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Sensoria Festival
Sensoria returns to Sheffield from 22nd - 25th October for its 19th edition, bringing together music, film and digital creativity across venues throughout the city. This year’s theme, “Plantasia”, takes inspiration from the cult 1976 Moog album Mother Earth’s Plantasia, exploring connections between technology, music and the natural world. As ever, Sensoria’s appeal lies in its willingness to move beyond the conventional festival format, creating a space where experimental sound, cinema and visual art can collide.
One of the weekend’s standout events comes on Saturday 24th October with Turntablism and Tapes: analogue audiovisuals at the University of Sheffield’s Drama Studio. Reel Steel and Zaron (Interworld) will mix vinyl film scores with live VHS cinema, before Sculpture deliver an immersive set built from samplers, tape reels, cassette players and custom projection. Their use of turntables to create zoetrope animation promises an especially tactile experience - nostalgic and radically inventive.
Elsewhere, the programme ranges from live electronic music and audiovisual performance to film screenings, installations and SynthFest UK, while SensoriaPro brings together composers, filmmakers, music supervisors, publishers and games developers. Taken as a whole, the 2026 festival continues Sensoria’s distinctive fascination with the space where music meets moving image and technology. For the full programme, click here