African Heritage & Culture events in Sheffield
Sheffield has a wide range of ‘African Heritage’ themed cultural events on offer throughout the year. Whether you want to be empowered, educated or entertained, there's something for everyone to enjoy. From fascinating talks, thought-provoking words and images, to music that will get your blood pumping and feet tapping – Sheffield has it all!
Events listed here are collated by the African Heritage Culture Forum, who work in partnership with organisations across Sheffield to help raise awareness, educate and support the recognition of the city’s diverse history and African heritage culture.
For more information visit their website here: www.africanheritage.org.uk
African Heritage & Culture events
Sinners
“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Jamali Maddix
Writer and actor, Jamali Maddix returns to The Leadmill next April. Jamali is best known for appearances on; Hate Thy Neighbour, Spent, Break Clause, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, and much more.
Lanre Bakare: We Were There
Join author Lanre Bakare in conversation with Sheffield writer and broadcaster Désirée Reynolds as they discuss 'We Were There', his exploration of Black Britain beyond London.
Simukai Chigudu 'When will we be free?'
IGSD Annual Lecture 2025: Simukai Chigudu 'When will we be free? On Hard Histories, Decolonisation, and Rethinking Development'
The Halfway Kid & Ashaine White
Catch The Halfway Kid and Ashaine White live at the Hallamshire Hotel.
SADACCA F.M. Screenings
SADACCA F.M. is a selection of films brought together by Memory Dance, White Teeth and Ashley Holmes, featuring a combination of archival material, installation art and experimental sound and moving image work exploring Sheffield’s rich musical and social histories.
SlamBarz: Slam City
Slam City - A Documentary by SlamBarz is a groundbreaking documentary that follows the journeys of five standout artists who have risen through the SlamBarz platform over the past year.
Festival of Debate x Gut Level Club Night ft. Plantainchipps & Savanna Boys
Powerhouse producer and DJ Plantainchipps brings high-energy sets to the dancefloor, joined by Sheffield-based Zimbabwean collective Savanna Boys for a night of amapiano, gqom, and afro-house.
Nabil Abdulrashid
Award-winning, international touring comedian Nabil Abdulrashid returns with a riotous new stand-up show.
Joycelyn Longdon: Natural Connection (Festival of Debate)
Join researcher and educator Joycelyn Longdon as she discusses 'Natural Connection', her deeply researched exploration of environmental justice, community wisdom, and the many ways we can drive positive change.
Kehinde Andrews: Nobody Can Give You Freedom
Malcolm X is a titanic figure in political history, but also one of the most misunderstood. Kehinde Andrews argues that in a world shaken by decades of injustice and racism, Malcolm’s political mission is more urgent than ever.
Maona Art: Kumba Short Film Programme + Q&A
Kumba is a dynamic African short film cinema program that serves as a bridge to home, transcending borders to connect African and Diaspora communities. It celebrates identity, culture, and heritage through the powerful medium of film.
Magic of Motown
The Magic of Motown has been seen by over one million people and it is no surprise that this show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history.
Site Gallery: Slambarz Takeover
Join Slambarz artists for an exciting live performance inspired by Site Gallery’s current exhibition Subjects of State, Labours of Love.
Rebirth of Mother Earth: To Act Or Not To Act? Partnered with Festival of Debate
This newly-devised performance from the Utopia Community Ensemble highlights the untold stories of ordinary ‘champions’ around the world who are creating change in their local environments and communities.
Songhoy Blues Live: Héritage Sur Scène
Experience the dynamic sound of Songhoy Blues, a Malian genre-blending group, as they bring their fusion of desert blues, rock, and funk to Sheffield.
Lionel Richie
International superstar Lionel Richie has announced a UK and European headline tour with ‘Say Hello To The Hits’ arriving at Utilita Arena Sheffield for the only date in Yorkshire on Sunday 8 June 2025.
Oti Mabuse - Viva Carnival
Join the Queen of the dance floor, Oti Mabuse as she celebrates the world’s most electrifying carnivals. From the sambas of Brazilian Carnival to the Tangos of Argentina’s Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, the dance scene at England’s own Glastonbury Festival and the swing of the Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Oti knows how to party.
Legend: The Music of Bob Marley
Legend, The Music of Bob Marley is an unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show extravaganza. Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, and a supremely talented cast.
Kinky Boots The Musical
After inheriting his family's failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price. That is until he meets Lola, a drag queen whose sparkle and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.
We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
Paul C Brunson, the world’s most influential matchmaker and TV star, brings his insightful commentary on how to create and sustain successful relationships through vulnerability, connection and understanding.
The Sheffield Festival of Reggae
After the huge success of ‘The Sheffield festival of Reggae 2024’, The Sheffield Festival of Reggae returns for 2025.
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, comes to the Lyceum as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour.
Babatunde Aleshe
Star of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Taskmaster, Babatunde Aleshe returns to The Leadmill after selling out his last show with there, in minutes!
Sheffield Jazz Double Bill: The Pocket Ellington/Vimala Row
Double bill featuring a classic Ellington sound followed by award-winning singer Vimala Rowe, a major talent on the British jazz scene.
Emmanuel Sonubi
Emmanuel’s hilarious and heartfelt show explores his life after surviving heart failure, facing the cause of the trauma, and the strange and funny ways we all find to keep going when life gets hard.
Black is The Colour Of My Voice
Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.
Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party
A celebration of funk classics, soul essentials and undeniable dancefloor anthems, the legendary Craig Charles brings his Funk & Soul House Party to Foundry this November following on from back to back sold out appearances at The Leadmill.
JLS - The Club is Alive: 2025 Hits Tour
This autumn will see arenas across the UK and Ireland come alive with the sound of music as JLS announce details of 'The Club Is Alive: 2025 Hits Tour'.
The Wailers
Legendary outfit The Wailers are back with another set jam-packed with the most essential reggae tunes out there.
African Heritage Culture Forum - Moonlight: Isata Kanneh-Mason
For this recital, Kanneh-Mason presents two of Beethoven’s best-loved works for solo piano: the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, with its famous extraordinarily beautiful opening movement, and the dazzlingly virtuosic ‘Waldstein’ Sonata.
Crown of Blood
A powerful retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth set during the civil wars of 19th-century Yorubaland.
The Bodyguard the Musical
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don't expect is to fall in love.
Diversity Soul 2026
Diversity is set to take to the road on a major new tour of the UK and Ireland in spring 2026. The UK's most successful dance group will bring their new concept tour SOUL to 31 towns and cities.
Sheffield Stories: Caribbean Footsteps
This new exhibition celebrates the many ways that people of African Caribbean heritage have contributed to Sheffield life.
Subjects of State, Labours of Love
Subjects of State, Labours of Love is a two-chapter film by artist filmmaker Rhea Storr.
