A huge, completely free festival will be taking over one of Sheffield's proudest independent neighbourhoods this weekend.
A whopping 20 venues will come together for Abbeydale Live, turning Abbeydale Road into a bustling hive of live music, family-friendly activities, and more.
The free event will be back this weekend after a successful debut last year - and this time, it's even bigger than before.
Abbeydale Live will be taking place on both 18 and 19 April right across Abbeydale Road, with different venues hosting live performances all weekends.
Expect to hear everything from jazz to alternative, with the festival running into the early hours at local bars and nightlife hotspots.
Corner will be taking part in Abbeydale LiveTwo Thirds is another spot on the Abbeydale Live trailAbbeydale Picture House
There's a new stage being added to Abbeydale Live's line-up this year, with the Sarah Nulty Music Foundation Stage in the Abbeydale Ballroom car park, raising awareness for its work supporting grassroots music and community projects.
Some of Sheffield's top independent venues, which all happen to be based here in Abbeydale, will be taking part this year, including The Broadfield, The Gin Bar, Simz Golf, Two Thirds, Corner, Abbeydale Ballroom, Abbeydale Tap, Jameson’s, Over The Yardarm, Best Boy Bagels, Cole’s Corner, STYR, Smashed & Pulled, Dead Donkey, Rumkeg 876, Amici & Bici, Nether Edge Pizza, and The Bear.
The line-up will include two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Steve Edwards, Louis Louis Louis, and Montuno, with more acts to be announced.
There'll be a trail all the way along Abbeydale Road, encouraging visitors to explore the full length of the road and all of its many local traders.
Nicole Jewitt, organiser of Abbeydale Live and Chair of the Abbeydale Independent Traders Association, said: "Abbeydale Live is about what happens when a street really comes together. It’s independent businesses, artists, students, families, everyone playing their part.
"You can start at one end of Abbeydale Road and walk all the way through, discovering music, food and new places as you go. It’s completely free, open to everyone, and it’s something we’re really proud to build together as a community."
Get your ducks at the ready Sheffield, because the annual Duck Race is back.
Thousands of ducks are getting ready for the race of their lives as the tradition returns to Endcliffe Park this Easter Monday, 6 April 2026.
Organised by the Friends of the Porter Valley, the event has been running annually since 2009 and draws bigger crowds each year.
The race is set to start at 2pm, launching into the River Porter.
This year, all proceeds from the race will go towards new equipment for the Forge Dam Playground.
Anyone can enter by 'adopting' ducks, either individually for just £1 or as a bundle of six for £5. You can either buy your ducks online up until kick off, or in person at Endcliffe Park and Forge Dam.
There will also be stalls on the day selling ducks for any last-minute participants who want to get in on the quack-tion, sorry, or action.
Around 2,500 yellow ducks will be released from a launching tower above Holme Wheel Dam before travelling 450 metres downstream toward the finish line.
The first and fastest 40 ducks to cross the finish line will be recorded and the winners will be announced online in the few days following the race.
If you're not participating but still want to take part, get down early from 11am to cheer them on where there'll be stalls open selling refreshments.
Prizes on offer include a case of Henderson's Relish, two match day tickets to Sheffield United and a day trip for two from Maxfield Travel.
Smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to return home to Sheffield on 10th anniversary tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved musicals of the 21st century is set to return to Sheffield on its 10th anniversary tour.
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, two sold-out UK and Ireland Tours, and even an award-winning Amazon Studios film, the smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is returning for its 10th anniversary tour, and will be stopping off here in its home town.
Set to open in Leeds a decade after the original opening at the Sheffield Crucible, Jamie will be ‘coming home again’ for what is said to be ‘possibly the last time’, as the show heads out to major cities across the UK.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of 16-year-old title character, Jamie, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield but doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future, even though he wants to be a sensation.
Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.
With an original score of catchy pop tunes by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and writer Tom MacRae, the musical is said to be one the whole family should experience.
This new 10th anniversary addition of the show coming to Sheffield even features a brand-new song to the already-beloved soundtrack.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be coming to the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre on 8 March 2027, and will also be visiting other northern cities on the tour like Leeds, Chester, Sunderland, Manchester, and Liverpool, as well as other major cities nationwide.
Daisy Jackson -
16th April 2026 
