These are the 20 dates you must have in your diary for 2020 if you live in Sheffield

A new year has begun – and while 2020 is still very young, the next 12 months are already shaping up to be eventful in Sheffield as the calendar fills up with festivals, activities, shows and exhibitions.
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Here are 20 dates mapping out some of the biggest things happening in the city.

January 18: Britain’s Strongest Man 2020

Britain’s Strongest Man will be back in Sheffield for a third consecutive year at the FlyDSA Arena, where audiences can be thrilled by feats of toughness and endurance. Visit www.flydsaarena.co.uk/whats-on/britains-strongest-man-2020-5622 to book.

Tramlines, After Dark, Sheffield Half Marathon, Sheffield Food Festival, Harry Styles and Everybody's Talking About Jamie are some of the key events in Sheffield in 2020.Tramlines, After Dark, Sheffield Half Marathon, Sheffield Food Festival, Harry Styles and Everybody's Talking About Jamie are some of the key events in Sheffield in 2020.
Tramlines, After Dark, Sheffield Half Marathon, Sheffield Food Festival, Harry Styles and Everybody's Talking About Jamie are some of the key events in Sheffield in 2020.

February 8: Kell Brook’s homecoming bout

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Sheffield boxer Kell Brook takes on Mark DeLuca at the FlyDSA Arena on a bill featuring Kid Galahad taking on Claudio Marrero, Terri Harper fighting Eva Wahlstrom and heavyweight favourite Dave Allen. See www.flydsaarena.co.uk/whats-on/championship-boxing-5653 for more information.

February 8 – 29: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns to the Sheffield stage

The hit musical, which has enjoyed an extended run in the West End and is being turned into a movie, comes back to Sheffield – where the show began as a production at the Crucible Theatre in 2017 – as part of a national tour. The tale of a 16-year-old aspiring drag queen who wants to attend his school prom wearing a dress and high heels will be at the Lyceum Theatre this time, and the cast features guest star Shane Richie. See www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/everybodys-talking-about-jamie for tickets.

February 14 – May 25: Lines of Beauty: Master Drawings from Chatsworth

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The largest display of the Devonshire collection of Old Master Drawings in more than 20 years is being assembled at the Millennium Gallery early this year. Spanning 300 years, works by Carpaccio, Poussin, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck will feature. See www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/millennium-gallery/exhibitions/coming-soon/lines-of-beauty-master-drawings-from-chatsworth for information.

March 6 – 7: Indie Beer Feast

The Indie Beer Feast, an independent ale festival at the Abbeydale Picture House, returns for a third year in 2020, hosted in association with specialist beer shop Hop Hideout. There will be brewery bars as well as gin, coffee, natural wine and street food. See https://www.gigantic.com/indie-beer-feast-tickets/sheffield-the-abbeydale-picture-house/2020-03-06-11-30 for details.

March 14: Sheffield Gin Festival

The Gin Society’s festival is happening at Cutlers’ Hall, where 100 gins will be offered under one roof as well as live music, food and giant Jenga. More than 15 premium rums will be available too, alongside Prosecco Royales. Visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sheffield-gin-festival-2020-tickets-74214576797 to find out more.

March 20 – 22: Big Running Weekend

'A celebration of all things trail running with a strong fun, community feel’ is the order of the day at the Big Running Weekend, which happens in and around Ecclesall Woods. The number of entries will be increased for 2020. Log on to www.bigrunningweekend.co.uk for further details.

March 29: Sheffield Half Marathon

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The Asda Foundation Sheffield Half Marathon attracts thousands of runners and spectators, raising huge sums for good causes. The route starts and finishes in the city centre and has stunning views of the Peak District for those who manage to climb to Ringinglow. Visit https://shm2020.eventdesq.com to register.

April 17: Harry Styles

Harry Styles – the former One Direction member turned solo star – appears at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield for the first time as part of a series of dates called ‘Love on Tour’. Styles is promoting his latest album Fine Line, which includes the singles Lights Up and Adore You. Support comes from King Princess. See www.flydsaarena.co.uk to book.

April 18 – May 4: World Snooker Championships

The prestigious televised sporting contest returns to the Crucible for a 44th consecutive year, with Judd Trump as the defending champion following his victory in 2019. Visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets/2020-betfred-world-snooker-championship/ for further information.

May 22: Sheffield Food Festival

Billed as the city’s largest free-to-attend event, attracting more than 50,000 visitors, the food festival takes place for its 10th year from May 22 to 25 in the city centre, spanning the area from the Peace Gardens to Fargate. An artisan market, street food stalls, a ‘theatre kitchen’ for demonstrations and live performances are promised, as well as some special surprises. Visit www.sheffieldfoodfestival.co.uk for details.

June 4 – 9: Sheffield Doc/Fest

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Another excellent programme of fresh documentaries, Q&A sessions with important directors and innovative virtual reality exhibits will no doubt be in store for Doc/Fest’s 27th year. It will be the first festival put together under the leadership of new festival director Cíntia Gil. Log on to www.sheffdocfest.com for updates.

July 31 – August 2: Tramlines

Having recently been named the UK’s best metropolitan festival at the UK Festival Awards, Tramlines takes place again in Hillsborough Park in summer 2020. Tickets have reportedly been selling faster than ever and an impressive line-up is anticipated – 2019’s headliners were Nile Rodgers & Chic, Courteeners and Two Door Cinema Club. Watch www.tramlines.org.uk for updates.

September 11 – 20: Heritage Open Days

Historic buildings will be open to visitors over two weeks in Sheffield once again in September. Overseen locally by the Sheffield Civic Trust, scores of places – from the cathedrals to the Town Hall and sites that put a novel spin on the idea of heritage – are now included in the annual listings. See www.sheffieldhods.com for information.

September 16: Stormzy

The rapper’s world tour – supporting his new album Heavy Is The Head – stops in Sheffield at the FlyDSA Arena. Last year Stormzy became the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury. Tickets are still available, visit www.flydsaarena.co.uk/whats-on/stormzy-5650 to book.

September 27: Sheffield 10K

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The Asda Foundation Sheffield 10K, staged in partnership with the city council, returns in September 2020. Thousands took part in 2019, following a route from the city centre to Ranmoor and back. Organisers say it will be even bigger and better this year. Visit www.runforall.com/events/10k/sheffield-10k/ for details.

October: Off The Shelf/Steel City Beer and Cider Festival

While precise dates have yet to be confirmed, Sheffield’s book festival will be back for another edition in October 2020, bringing appearances and readings from leading authors. The programme normally features literary writers and names from the worlds of TV, music and more. See www.offtheshelf.org.uk to find out more. CAMRA Sheffield & District’s yearly celebration, meanwhile, is organised and staffed by volunteers – while firm details for 2020 have yet to be announced, 2019’s sapphire anniversary festival was held at Kelham Island Museum with over 250 craft beers, 50 real ciders and perries, street food vendors, traditional pub games, live music and more. See www.sheffield.camra.org.uk/festival/ for details.

October 2 – 10: Sensoria Festival

The festival of music, film and digital media has already set its dates for 2020. Last year's outing had a theme of Myths and Legends – an outdoor screening of the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood in the Loxley valley was a highlight. Visit www.sensoria.org.uk for further information.

November 5: After Dark

Held every year on Bonfire Night, After Dark attracts thousands of people to the Don Valley Bowl with a giant bonfire, a funfair and an arsenal of fireworks. Visit www.afterdarkfireworks.com for information.

December 4 – January 3: Sleeping Beauty

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Tickets for 2020’s big Lyceum Theatre pantomime are already on sale. Sleeping Beauty will be another co-production with Evolution Pantomimes, and panto dame Damian Williams will return for his 13th year. See www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/sleeping-beauty to book.

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