‘Fierce’ lineup, new theme and director for 2026 festival
Migration Matters Festival will celebrate how the city has been shaped by global communities when it returns with an ‘unapologetically fierce’ lineup this summer.
Headliners of the 11th edition of our Sheffield festival include Mobo Award-winning Ghanaian-English singer Fuse ODG plus Live At The Apollo star Desiree Burch.
The festival has a theme, Forged By Migration, this year
Critically acclaimed theatre show The Horse of Jenin by Alaa Shehada, about the removal of a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and a screening of the powerful Oscar-nominated Bosnian war drama Quo Vadis Aida? also feature.
For the first time, the city-wide festival from June 19-27 will have a theme, called Forged By Migration. This recognises how different communities have shaped Sheffield and contributed to its diverse international population.
New festival director John Rwothomack, who has taken over the role from event founder and now producer Sam Holland, said: “Forged By Migration is a way to celebrate Sheffield’s diversity today but also recognise the people who have been coming to and shaping the city for generations.
New director John Rwothomack
“It’s a play on words, symbolising what Sheffield stands for and how it is now a City of Sanctuary for so many people.
“Our lineup this year is a carefully curated collection of unapologetically fierce and present headliners, as well as many fantastic Sheffield artists.
“Together we will dance, laugh, eat and celebrate, but we will also not forget the painful history and truths that have made the world what it is today.”
Award-winning Migration Matters Festival is the biggest Refugee Week event of its kind, attracting audiences of more than 15,000 annually.
Other 2026 festival headliners include legendary dub producer Aba Shanti-I, once voted the best DJ in the world, and a stalwart of Notting Hill Festival.
Afghan footballer Khalida Popal, the inspirational founder of activist organisation Girl Power, will also appear in a thought-provoking conversation.
Our full lineup for the festival has just been revealed.
It also features club nights, art exhibitions, family theatre, poetry, Afro-Brazilian dance workshops and much more.
New additions for this year include the festival’s first outdoor stage, the Forged By Migration stage, in collaboration with Kelham Island Museum.
This free event will spotlight Sheffield artists across vibrant music, DJs, dance, exhibitions, international food, workshops and a special museum tour on Saturday, June 28.
The 2026 guest programmer is Nate Coltrane, an artist whose work explores the impact of immigration on UK culture through Caribbean sound system heritage and amplifies voices from the Windrush generation.
Ugandan-born, Sheffield-bred director John added: “After ten years of incredible growth from a single event festival, 2026 marks the start of a new era for Migration Matters.
“We have a hugely exciting year ahead, and we can’t wait to welcome even more people to our energetic, powerful celebration of sanctuary.”
Arts Council England, Sheffield City Council, the Brelms Trust and Evan Cornish Foundation fund the festival.
