Things to Do in Sheffield in November 2026: Events, Christmas Markets, Music and More

November is bringing a different energy to Sheffield. The city is moving from autumn into the festive season, but there is plenty happening before Christmas takes over. From Bonfire Night and free cultural festivals to major concerts, theatre productions, sporting fixtures and the return of Sheffield's Christmas Market, there are plenty of reasons to spend a few days in the city this month.

For anyone planning a weekend in Sheffield, November is particularly interesting because several of the city's bigger events fall around the same weekends, making it easy to combine a show, match or market visit with a longer city break.

November starts with Bonfire Night, festivals and live entertainment

Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November, with several fireworks events taking place around Sheffield. One of the newer additions to the city's calendar is ARC Night at Don Valley Bowl, which will combine two fireworks displays with lasers, live music, DJs, street food, fairground rides and entertainment. The event runs from 4 pm to 10 pm. Further community fireworks events are taking place around Sheffield on 5 and 7 November.

The first full weekend of November is also a particularly busy one. The University of Sheffield's Festival of the Mind runs from 6 to 15 November, bringing more than 40 free exhibitions, performances, films, talks and interactive experiences to venues around the city. The programme covers everything from artificial intelligence and virtual reality to history, nature, health and Sheffield's industrial heritage.

Another festival worth knowing about is Being Human, which runs from 5 to 14 November. Although it is a national festival, Sheffield has its own programme of events, including creative workshops and activities at places such as Workstation and Kelham Island Museum. One of the local highlights, Imagining Social Rights: Global & Local Experiences of Work, takes place at Kelham Island Museum on 7 and 8 November, combining live music, theatre, discussion and creative workshops.

There is also plenty happening for music and comedy fans. Sheffield City Hall has a packed November programme, with Jack Savoretti on 5 November, The Australian Pink Floyd on 7 November, Russell Howard and Gareth Malone on 8 November, Jools Holland on 18 November, Bellowhead on 21 November, and The Big Christmas Assembly with James Partridge on 29 November, alongside a full programme of comedy and other performances.

Christmas arrives earlier than usual in Sheffield

Sheffield Christmas Market opens on 12 November and runs through to 26 December, with more than 50 cabins spread across Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor. More than 80% of the traders are expected to be local, with seasonal food, drinks, gifts and festive entertainment throughout the city centre.

The opening weekend on 14 and 15 November is set to be one of the month's most active periods. There will be street entertainment, children's activities, craft events, music and live performances across the city centre. On Sunday 15 November, Devonshire Green will host a new Christmas celebration from 3 pm to 6.30 pm, featuring live performances, festive food and drink and a Christmas light spectacular. The event is the first time Devonshire Green has been included in Sheffield's Christmas opening weekend celebrations.

There are also some notable new additions to the city's festive offer this year. For the first time in more than a decade, an artificial ice rink is returning to Tudor Square, while a snow slide is planned for Surrey Street. Christmas lights will also extend across more areas of the city centre, adding to the atmosphere around the markets.

For families, the festive calendar continues to build towards the end of November. Nativity! The Musical runs at the Lyceum from 17 to 21 November, while Singin' in the Rain opens at the Crucible on 26 November and Cinderella begins its run at the Lyceum on 28 November. At Ice Sheffield, Around the World in One Night brings a Christmas skating show to the city on 27 and 28 November.

Big concerts, theatre and sport keep the calendar busy

The entertainment programme continues well beyond the Christmas markets. At Utilita Arena Sheffield, major November dates include Paul Heaton on 6 November, The Script on 14 November, Bob Dylan on 27 November and Bloc Party and Interpol on 28 November. The arena is also home to several Sheffield Steelers fixtures throughout the month, including games against Manchester Storm, Coventry Blaze, Cardiff Devils and Belfast Giants.

The late-November weekend is particularly full. Alongside Bob Dylan and the Bloc Party and Interpol show, Novacaine Festival returns to Corporation on 28 November with a full day of alternative music. The festival follows a near sell-out debut in 2025 and brings a line-up of established and emerging rock and alternative acts to Sheffield.

Sport provides another reason to visit. Football fans have Sheffield United at home to Watford on 21 November and Southampton on 24 November, while Sheffield Wednesday host Plymouth Argyle on 14 November and Reading on 28 November. The Sheffield Steelers also have home fixtures on 7, 15, 22 and 29 November.

Swimming is also on the calendar, with the South Yorkshire Short Course Masters taking place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Saturday, 7 November, with competitors taking part in a range of short-course swimming events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley and relays.

For theatre lovers, Sheffield Theatres has a particularly strong month, with Mean Girls running from 9 to 14 November, followed by Nativity! The Musical from 17 to 21 November and the opening of Singin' in the Rain and Cinderella later in the month.

Planning a November stay in Sheffield

With so much happening across the month, November is a good time to give yourself more than one night in Sheffield. A concert or sporting event can easily become a weekend trip, while the Christmas markets, independent restaurants, theatres and city-centre attractions give you plenty to do outside the main event.

That is where location makes a difference. AVO Apartments has a range of accommodation across Sheffield, including central studios at Priestley House, apartments in Kelham Island and larger options for families and groups. Priestley House is around eight minutes from the city centre, while AVO's Kelham Island apartments offer another base close to the city centre and the restaurants, bars and independent businesses that make the area popular.

For a short city break, an apartment also gives you a little more space than a traditional hotel room, with kitchens and living areas that make longer stays more comfortable. AVO's Sheffield accommodation is designed for short visits, event stays, family trips and longer bookings, so you can choose a property around the type of trip you're planning.

Whether you're coming for a concert, a football match, the Christmas markets, a theatre show or simply a weekend exploring Sheffield, November gives you plenty of reasons to make a trip of it. 

Browse AVO's Sheffield accommodation and book your stay directly