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
Kikuyu Land
When a landmark ruling lets Kenyan families reclaim stolen ancestral land, a journalist's investigation uncovers corporate exploitation, family secrets and a government fighting back.
Crocodile
A group of young filmmakers in Nigeria form a homemade collective with smartphones and recycled materials.
Hope is a Word
Come along for a special screening of Hope is a Word, plus a discussion with the director, Maria Galliani Dyrvik, followed by an intimate poetry reading by the film's protagonist, Nnimmo Bassey.
Matininó
In Puerto Rico, a multi-generational group of women confront violence and abuse through a shared creative fantasy rich in colour, mythology and play.
TCB - The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing
Friends of Black feminist writer, filmmaker and cultural worker Toni Cade Bambara come together to share her lessons on art, community and resistance.
The Brittney Griner Story
ESPN is proud to present a special showcase of The Brittney Griner Story followed by Q&A with director Alexandria Stapleton.
A Last Big Story
Jon Snow comes out of retirement for one last investigation, travelling to Zambia to uncover a mining disaster being covered up by officials.
MKO
Moshood Abiola wins Nigeria's freest election, only for the military to jail him. When U.S. diplomats arrive to negotiate his release, he is served tea, and dies.
Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s The Weight of The World)
Academy Award winner Questlove directs the definitive portrait of one of the most influential bands in music history, with exclusive access to their archives.
Notes from the Underground
A cross-generational oral history of Cape Town, told through the underground hip-hop scene that turned rhythm, resistance and mentorship into a living education system.
A House Through Time
David Olusoga returns to uncover the hidden lives within a single Edinburgh home, tracing centuries of forgotten stories held within its walls.
Hamza Loves Animals
Meet wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin in this fun, gentle toddler screening of Hamza Loves Animals: Africa! Little ones will discover amazing animals in a relaxed, playful environment—perfect for under 5s.
Toddler Kino: The Boys and the Bees
On an idyllic Georgia farm, young Black parents share their love of beekeeping, nature and life itself with their sons as they rebuild their family's connection to the land.
Migration Matters Festival Opening Party
One of the biggest nights of the YEAR! It has to be the opening party! In a festival first, the opening party will be hosted at the legendary Yellow Arch Studios, which has nurtured the talents of many Sheffield musicians and artists!
Brazil in Motion: Afro-Brazilian & Carnival Dance Workshops
Join Brazilian artist Bellas da Silveira for two joyful, participatory dance workshops exploring Afro-Brazilian traditions and the vibrant movement culture of Rio de Janeiro’s street carnival.
In between: Daughter of two worlds
In Between: Daughters of Two Worlds is a youth-led theatre project exploring what it means to grow up between cultures.
Migration Matters Festival Comedy Night
Migration Matters Festival proudly presents this exceptional lineup of the UK’s most exciting comedic talent for an evening at The Montgomery!
Vinyl Workshop with ziroziro
Enter the world of wax and vibration in this hands-on vinyl workshop.
Our Yard Foundations Pop Up
Foundations is a pop-up exhibition exploring the cultural impact of Caribbean sound system heritage in the UK. Presented by Nate Coltrane, the installation brings together a curated listening station, oral history interviews, and behind-the-scenes gallery
Sheffield's Windrush Civic Service & Father's Day Celebration
This Father's Day and this Windrush Day, we come together as one community to honour the fathers, the pioneers, and the generations whose sacrifice, faith, resilience, and love helped shape our families, our churches, and our city.
Sunday Dub Session with Aba Shanti-I
Curated by Nate Coltrane, this special event brings together sound system culture, performance and movement to explore the enduring impact of Caribbean heritage in the UK.
Hunter 77: Film Screening & Live Performance
An immersive screening of the award-winning shadow puppet film Hunter 77.
The Root: Sounds born from Windrush
This Windrush Day 2026 listening session brings people together to share records rooted in community and history. Tracing sonic lineages across the Caribbean and Africa, it reflects on Black identity and honours the Windrush generation's legacy.
Windrush Legacy Garden
A dedicated team of inter-generational volunteers have transformed a neglected piece of land into something truly special. The Windrush Legacy Garden is now developing into a vibrant community space that celebrates heritage, nature, and movement.
Migration Matters Festival Short Film Night
This short film night explores what it means to keep connections to culture alive, uncovers the resilience and sacrifice behind a family’s corner shop, and paints a vibrant portrait of dub poet activist Linton Kwesi Johnson.
Fuse ODG ft. Aziza Jaye
Fuse ODG will bring his signature style to Foundry for an electric and unforgettable night of music.
Colours to the Mast
In collaboration with artists Kazna Asker and Cheelo, The Bare Project presents a participatory flag-making workshop exploring identity, protest, and belonging.
Migration Matters Festival Closing Party
Come and celebrate the final night of Migration Matters Festival 2026!
Variety is the Spice of Life
Come and share a heartwarming afternoon of stories, poems, and song, created by a unique collaboration of asylum seekers and local Sheffield folk.
The Swamp Dwellers
Written by Wole Soyinka and directed by Utopia Theatres’ Mojisola Kareem (Crown of Blood, Death and The King’s Horseman, Here’s What She Said To Me, All Our Goals), The Swamp Dwellers will run at Utopia Theatre from 29 June to 11 July 2026.
Rum & Reggae 2026
The ultimate island experience returns next Summer! Bringing you pure reggae sounds with huge headliners & insane production...
Summer BBQ n' Brunch 1.0
Summer starts here, Sheffield’s biggest summer day party is here! Expect BBQ, brunch classics, games, nonstop music & pure summer energy!!
That Boxing Show
Hosted by Johnny Nelson and Andy Nicholson, That Boxing Show brings honest fight analysis, bold predictions, and insider stories with top boxing voices, no fluff, just real boxing talk.
Add to Playlist
A rare chance to see a live recording of Radio 4's weekly music programme, where Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe explore the rich web of connections in music, from Beyoncé to Beethoven.
Ubunye
Ubunye bring together two powerful vocalists from South Africa's Kwa Zulu Natal region combined with a dynamic rhythm section; unique and goose-bump inducing music from a brilliant 6 piece band.
I Saw the TV Glow
Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own.
Mr Vegas
Sheffield, UK – Get ready for an electrifying night of reggae and dancehall as global hitmaker Mr Vegas brings his high-energy live show to Network, Sheffield.
Sheffield Festival of Reggae
After the huge success of ‘The Sheffield festival of Reggae 2025’, the event returns on Saturday 15th August 2026.
Luther Live & Velvet Voices
Step into a world of soul, romance, and unforgettable grooves with Luther Live & Velvet Voices, the ultimate live theatre experience celebrating the golden era of R&B.
Jazz Voyage
Virtuoso composer, pianist, improviser, broadcaster, Julian Joseph is a jazz polymath. Acclaimed by critics and audiences the world over, he returns to Sheffield to promote his first studio album in 29 years.
A Night To Remember: Motown Show
A Night To Remember: Motown Show takes you back in time to 1960’s Detroit. Be prepared for a high energy show, packed with the greatest Motown hits of all time.
A Sound is Still a Sound
Open Works Festival Presents a rehearsed reading of A Sound is Still a sound.
Kalakuther: Queen of Fela's Republic
Open Works Festival Presents a work in progress, KalakutHER: Queen of Fela's Republic.
Ijakadi (The Wrestle)
Open Works Festival Presents a work in progress performance of Ijakadi (The Wrestle).
Vaughan Williams: Songs of Travel
Music in the Round’s Singer-in-Residence Roderick Williams returns with a programme of heartrendingly beautiful English song, including Vaughan Williams’ glorious cycle Songs of Travel.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe & Friends: Kool Story Bro
Kiell Smith-Bynoe (star of Ghosts, Taskmaster and Stath Lets Flats) is bringing his smash hit improv comedy show to Sheffield.
Crush
A clinic waiting room. Two Somali teens. One awkward meet-cute. Najma has been in treatment for years. Zakariya’s just starting out. She sketches. He writes poems. Neither of them is ready to talk. Until they meet each other.
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are set to bring their iconic and legendary sound back to Sheffield City Hall in October 2026.
Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party
Legendary actor, host and broadcaster Craig Charles is one of the UK’s most beloved Funk and Soul DJs.
Michael Akadiri: Don't Call Me Uncle
Following two hit UK tours, Biggest Award in Comedy nominee and resident (junior) Doctor Michael Akadiri prescribes Sheffield with a potent dose of his latest offering, Don’t Call Me Uncle!
Aurie Styla: Maverick
Aurie Styla is one of the most naturally charismatic and hilarious comedians around. Following his acclaimed 100+ date worldwide tour, he’s back on the road with his brand new show, Maverick.
Never Look Back
Uganda, 2020. Veteran Komakech ‘Abba’ Ogwang is haunted by dreams of battle. His granddaughter, Anena, urges him to share his long-buried story.
Mo Gilligan - the Mo You Know
Triple BAFTA winning stand up sensation Mo Gilligan has announced his biggest ever World Tour with The Mo You Know in 2026.
12 Letters To My Name
Tobi and Jay, the only two Africans in the class, are lambs to the slaughter. Newly arrived to England, Sheffield, they are forced to navigate a new life alongside the quiet ache of home.
Sheffield Stories: Caribbean Footsteps
This new exhibition celebrates the many ways that people of African Caribbean heritage have contributed to Sheffield life.
In Conversation: On the Border of my Peaceful Home
This new exhibition, curated by artist Kedisha Coakley, brings together artworks, objects and specimens from Sheffield’s collection to explore the relationship between Empire and the trade in fruit and flowers.
