Running alongside the main festival from 6th to 15th June 2026, the new initiative marks the first time in the festival’s history that a dedicated programme has been built for younger audiences. The lineup will feature live interactive performances, hands-on workshops, family events, and accessible screenings designed to inspire the next generation of non-fiction storytelling lovers.

GEN DocFest Programme Highlights

• Horrible Histories & Horrible Science Crossover: A behind-the-scenes look at the hit CBBC comedies. Cast members Jess Ransom, Inel Tomlinson, and Richard David-Caine will join songwriter Richie Webb and crew live on stage for clips, production secrets, and a sing-a-long.
• Educating Yorkshire Retrospective: A decade after the BAFTA-nominated series filmed at Thornhill Community Academy, headteacher Matthew Burton, creator David Clews, and current pupils will discuss how the school and real-life documentary filming have evolved.
• Wild Futures (Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday): In partnership with WildScreen, this day of adventure celebrates the legacy of the iconic broadcaster. It features an interactive global safari session with wildlife presenter and filmmaker Hannah Stitfall (BBC Springwatch), alongside animal lantern and mask-making workshops culminating in a “Mini Parade” at Tudor Square.
• Heaven 17 Family Rave: Hosted at The Steamworks by Big Fish Little Fish, this family-friendly rave celebrates the World Premiere of the legendary local band’s new documentary. It includes bubbles, giant balloons, a parachute dance finale, a licensed bar, and a Baby Chill Zone.
• Accessible & Immersive Experiences: An interactive, fully accessible live performance by FRONTLINEdance, a spoken-word show by viral activist Sam Browne, and Toddler Kino screenings—including Hamza Loves Animals: Africa! alongside presenter Hamza Yassin.
• Free Alternative Realities Exhibition: Sheffield of Stories by Adam Clarke, created with the National Videogame Museum. The project transforms Sheffield into a shared Minecraft world co-created by local children, which festival visitors can explore via projections or contribute to live online.

For schools and universities, GEN DocFest will also host three dedicated School Screening + Career Panels for Year 7 to 16+ students, featuring Q&As on breaking into the film and TV industries. Featured documentaries include Shop Dada: The Cornershop That Built Us by Sheffield filmmaker Darshan Gajjar, corporate forestry expose Wild East, and Syrian human rights film Maybe Tomorrow.

Mimi Poskitt, Managing Director at Sheffield DocFest, said:

“We decided to launch GEN DocFest, a new strand dedicated to children and families. Not only does this underscore our dedication to welcoming and inspiring the next generation of audiences and creators, but it will also help to ensure the documentary form remains inclusive, accessible and relevant for generations to come.”

The supernatural thriller will run at the Lyceum Theatre for one week only, from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th June 2026. Written by Danny Robins, the creative mind behind the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, the award-winning play has already completed seven West End seasons and thirty global productions.

The story follows Jenny, who is convinced her new home is haunted, and her sceptical husband, Sam. During a tense dinner party with their old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben, belief and scepticism clash as they resolve to stay awake until 2:22 AM to discover the truth. The Sheffield cast features James Bye (EastEnders), Natalie Casey (Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), Grant Kilburn, and Shvorne Marks (Three Little Birds).

Tickets are available now and can be booked via the Sheffield Theatres box office in person, over the phone at 0114 249 6000, or online.

The launch marks the retailer’s first-ever store in Yorkshire. Located on the Lower Level of the High Street, the massive 13,000 sq ft space will feature Pull&Bear’s signature urban menswear, womenswear, footwear, and accessories, packaged inside its latest interactive shopping concept.

The store will sit alongside major brands like Space NK, Mango, and Stradivarius, the latter of which also made its regional debut at Meadowhall just last week. Both brands join an established fashion lineup at the centre that already includes Zara, Bershka, Flannels, and AllSaints.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, said:

“Pull&Bear is a fantastic addition and we know it will be incredibly popular. The fact that both Pull&Bear and Stradivarius have chosen Meadowhall as the location for their first stores in Yorkshire speaks volumes, and we’re really excited by the breadth of fashion brands we’re now offering our visitors.”

Marking the brand’s first-ever location in Yorkshire, the 8,200 sq ft shop is located on the Lower Level of the High Street. Shoppers can now explore the full range of women’s clothing, footwear, and accessories, perfectly timed for those updating their summer wardrobes.

The opening strengthens Meadowhall’s position as a leading fashion destination, with Stradivarius joining a lineup that already includes Zara, Bershka, and AllSaints. The fashion expansion is set to continue shortly with the arrival of Pull&Bear, which will add another 13,000 sq ft of retail space to the centre.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, said:

“Stradivarius is a brand we know our visitors have been incredibly excited about, and we’re over the moon its doors will be opening. Having a brand like Stradivarius choose Meadowhall as its first – and currently only – location in the region speaks volumes.”

Building on the success of last year’s Eid on Tour, the event will take place outside the Oasis Dining Quarter on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere from 11am to 8pm daily, featuring a diverse artisan market and high-energy live performances including Middle Eastern Zaffa and Dabka, alongside traditional African drumming.

Food remains a central focus of the celebration, with a curated lineup of street food traders. Highlights include Fargos FX (Japanese steak sandos), Super Birria Bros (birria tacos), and Cattle & Smoke (Texas-inspired smoked brisket). The festival will also host popular vendors like The Brioche Team, Mocktail Girl, and Dutch Fishmen.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, said:

“Eid Street is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Eid and bring our community together. We’re excited to welcome visitors who want to enjoy brilliant food, entertainment and the artisan market over the two days.”

Bilal Khan, Event Director at Eid Street, added:

“We’re excited to return to Meadowhall. It’s a great setting for a big, family-friendly celebration, and we know the mix of street food, market stalls and live performances will create a brilliant atmosphere outside.”

The event is supported by Eid on Tour and The Halal Food Festival. While entry is free, visitors are encouraged to book their free tickets in advance at meadowhall.co.uk/eid-street.

The new 8,200 sq ft store will be located on the Lower Level of the High Street, joining an impressive roster of neighbouring brands including Space NK, Mango, and BOSS. The Meadowhall site will be the brand’s first and only location in the region, offering a complete range of women’s clothing, footwear, and accessories just in time for the summer season.

Stradivarius is the latest addition to the centre’s evolving fashion lineup, which already includes Zara, Bershka, and Flannels. The momentum is set to continue this spring with the upcoming arrival of urban fashion brand Pull&Bear, which will add a further 13,000 sq ft of retail space to the centre.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, said:

“Stradivarius is a brand we know our visitors have been incredibly excited about, and we’re over the moon its doors will be opening in just over a week. Having a brand like Stradivarius choose Meadowhall as its first – and currently only – location in the region speaks volumes. We have a really diverse and compelling range of fashion retailers at the centre and this only adds to our lineup, making us a great destination for shopping the very latest trends.”

To find out more and plan your visit, head to www.meadowhall.co.uk.

The season kicks off with the return of global sensation Bluey’s Big Play at the Lyceum from 15–17th May, featuring the original voices and puppets of the Emmy® award-winning series. Soon after, children’s TV royalty Justin Fletcher brings his high-energy “Justin Time to Rock” show to the Lyceum for a one-day-only appearance on Thursday 28th May.

Younger audience members are also catered for with specialised performances like Take Flight (22nd June), a multi-sensory aerial show created specifically for babies aged 0–2. For preschoolers, Boxed In (6th June) offers a largely non-verbal exploration of life’s rules, while Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show (26–27th June) introduces a brand-new character, baby Evie, in a musical adventure for the whole family.

The centrepiece of the summer is the sun-soaked musical Summer Holiday, which runs in the Crucible from 20th June to 18th July. This new adaptation of the 1960s classic follows Don and his friends on a musical double-decker bus trip across Europe, featuring a soundtrack of feel-good hits.

Tickets for all shows, including the vibrant DanceFest: The Big Weekend at the Montgomery, are available now through the Sheffield Theatres box office at 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

Taking place at Ponds Forge Leisure Centre, the market offers a massive selection of retro games, vintage consoles, and rare accessories. The move solidifies Sheffield’s status as a national gaming hub; the city is already home to the National Video Game Museum and industry giants like Sumo Digital, with a legacy that stretches back to Gremlin Graphics’ 1984 breakthrough.

The resurgence of “old-school” gaming is a national trend, with data from Back Market showing a 32% rise in retro console sales over the past year. Andy Brown, Managing Director of Replay Events, said: “With Sheffield’s gaming heritage… it was a no-brainer for us to make this our regional flagship event. We’re very excited to return – this time bigger and better!”

Tickets start at just £4 for general entry, though advance tickets are available for collectors looking to beat the crowds and bag the best deals. The event runs from 11am until 4pm, providing five hours of nostalgia-fuelled browsing.

Tickets can be purchased at www.sheffieldgamingmarket.com/tickets.

He joins Sheffield’s legendary, award-winning Dame, Damian Williams, who is returning for his 19th year. This year, the panto duo becomes a trio, as Matt Daines joins the cast to play the Dame’s “sister.” Produced by the team behind the 2024 “Best Pantomime” winner Snow White, the production promises the usual mix of high-quality music, lavish sets, and laugh-out-loud comedy.

Due to significant demand, the run has been extended by an additional week, allowing more families to experience the festive tradition. The show is once again written and directed by Paul Hendy.

Cinderella opens on Saturday 28th November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3rd January 2027. Tickets are available via the Box Office at 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. Please note that Andy Day will not appear in the final performances on 2nd and 3rd January.

The space features 3 distinct bookable areas: The Snug for private one-to-one meetings, The Studio for workshops and talks, and The Floor for larger events. The interior is defined by the work of Sheffield visual artist Jo Peel, whose signature architectural line drawings and murals are featured throughout the venue to reflect the city’s urban evolution.

Discovery offers daytime café service throughout the week, with extended evening opening hours from Wednesday to Friday. The project follows planning approval for a café bar unit within the central plaza, which includes outdoor courtyard seating for visitors and tenants.

Dave King, co-founder of Scrannery and managing director of Sheffield-based Intelligent Transformation consultancy Differentis, said: “Pennine Five is quickly becoming a focal point for businesses in this part of the city. We saw an opportunity to create a space that supports that community — somewhere people can meet properly, work comfortably and spend time without feeling rushed. Being based here ourselves, we understand how people use the campus day to day, and Discovery has been shaped around that.”

Co-founder Kieran Morgan-McGeehan added, “Scrannery has always been rooted in Sheffield, and opening at Pennine Five felt like a natural next step for us. Discovery carries the same approach we apply across our cafés — good food, proper coffee and considered spaces — but on a larger scale.”

“We’re pleased to be contributing to a development that is bringing more activity back into this part of the city centre.”

Christina Staniforth, RBH Campus Manager, said: “The space has been designed to enhance amenities on-site for tenants, but also to bring more people onto the plaza to enjoy our evergreen space. We’re really looking forward to seeing a wide range of events this year, from AI workshops, business networking, summer BBQs and even a board game evening.”

Discovery is now open to the public. For bookings and further information, visit discovery.scrannery.uk.