Sheffield’s celebrated independent coffee culture is set to take centre stage this autumn with the launch of Sip Fest, a brand-new, week-long festival running from Monday 28th September to Sunday 4th October 2026.
The event will bring a packed programme of free citywide fringe events alongside a major weekend hub at the city’s Trafalgar Warehouse. Designed to bring together independent cafés, roasters, makers, baristas, street food traders, and DJs, the festival is a true celebration of the community and people behind the local speciality coffee scene.
The week-long programme is structured into three distinct parts:
- The Citywide Fringe (Monday 28th September – Sunday 4th October): More than 40 local coffee shops, roasteries, bars, and creative spaces across Sheffield will host free events. The fringe is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore local independent businesses and discover new favourite spots.
- The Industry Party (Friday 2nd October): Trafalgar Warehouse will host a free industry gathering dedicated to individuals working across the coffee, hospitality, food, drink, events, and independent business sectors.
- The Public Festival (Saturday 3rd October): Trafalgar Warehouse will transform into the main festival hub for a ticketed public event, split into morning and afternoon sessions. The Saturday line-up features over 30 stalls, tasting sessions, educational “Coffee School” classes, street food, live DJs, the UK’s biggest coffee run, and Sheffield’s largest-ever latte art competition.
The festival was founded by prominent figures in the local hospitality scene, including Matt Cottrill of Steam Yard and Corner Store, and Neil Midgley of Motore Cafe, with creative direction and illustration by Molly Kirk of Steam Yard.
“Sheffield has one of the most exciting independent coffee scenes in the country, and we want to showcase this to the city and beyond,” said co-founder Matt Cottrill. “Sip Fest is about celebrating the places, people and energy that make Sheffield’s coffee culture what it is. We want it to feel like something people genuinely look forward to every year, with a sense of fun but also something meaningful behind it.”
Organisers have designed the festival for a diverse crowd – ranging from speciality coffee enthusiasts and home brewers to casual cafe-goers, families, freelancers, and anyone seeking a high-energy social event that does not revolve around alcohol.
Local businesses, roasters, makers, and traders interested in participating in either the Trafalgar Warehouse hub or the citywide fringe are invited to contact the organisers at hello@sipcoffeefestival.com.
For those planning to attend the Saturday public hub, early bird tickets are currently available for £5 via the official website at sipcoffeefestival.com.
