Abbeydale Live to return with free weekend festival across 20 Sheffield venues
A popular Sheffield street festival is set to return bigger than ever, with a full weekend of free live music and family activities.
Abbeydale Live will take place from Saturday April 18 to Sunday April 19, 2026, transforming Abbeydale Road into a two-day festival across more than 20 venues.
Building on the success of its 2025 debut, the event is expanding from a one-day celebration into a street-wide programme, bringing together independent businesses and artists.
Across the weekend, 20 venues will host free live music and DJs, 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 feature a mix of established and emerging artists from Sheffield and beyond, including local vocalist Steve Edwards - known for global dance anthem ‘World, Hold On’.
More acts are still to be announced.
New outdoor stage and family zone
A major new addition for 2026 is an outdoor stage at Abbeydale Picture House, run by the Sarah Nulty Music Foundation, supporting grassroots musicians and community projects.
Families will also be catered for, with a dedicated kids’ area and Youth Music Stage at Mount Pleasant Park, offering free activities and showcasing under-18 performers.
Alongside the music, independent traders including Greek Village, Yamm and Bear Alternative will feature on the festival trail, encouraging visitors to explore the full length of Abbeydale Road.
Last year’s event brought a surge in footfall, with some businesses reporting one of their busiest days of the year. With the move to a full weekend, organisers expect that impact to grow.
Platform for up and coming talent
Students from WaterBear Music College will perform across multiple venues, while young artists supported by Hybrid3 will take to the Youth Music Stage.
Festival organiser Nicole Jewitt said the event shows what can happen when a community collaborates.
She said: “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 something we’re really proud to build together.”
The full line-up and venue details will be announced on Independent Abbeydale’s social media pages ahead of the event.