What to do in Sheffield this Christmas

Good afternoon readers — and welcome to this week’s Monday briefing. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and, after some heavy reporting in recent weeks, we wanted to kick the month off with our recommendations for the perfect Sheffield Christmas. It’s got everything from Ukrainian food to Pokémon cross stitch — don’t miss it.

Get us to 3,000: After lots of people joining to support our coverage of the leasehold story, we’ve now hit 2,900 members. That means our big target for 2025 — 3,000 members — is within touching distance! But time is short and we need help to get there. Could you be one of our final hundred, signing up before the end of the year? If you’ve been impressed by our recent investigations, or want to support people working their festive socks off to make Sheffield a better place, then join us now.

Already a member? Then spread the glad tidings of good (local) news to all people. We’ve set up a tracker on our website to show how we’re doing, and two people have joined us already this morning, so we’re off to a flying start.

Also watch this space for our Christmas gift subscriptions — the perfect present for the Sheffield lover in your life. We’ll be launching them later this week.

And one more thing: please do tell us about a worthy local charity that deserves our support this festive season. We’re planning to write a feature article about a charity nominated by readers in the hope that they receive some donations in time for Christmas. Just head to the comments section or email mollie@sheffieldtribune.co.uk. 

In case you missed it

This weekend, we published a distressing but very important account of the final weeks of 12-year-old Mia Lucas’ life, which she spent at the Becton Centre in Beighton. While the inquest revealed Mia was suffering from a rare brain infection that the Sheffield facility could not treat, her grieving mother Chloe feels staff there could have done more to protect her vulnerable daughter from herself. You can read that piece here — although readers should be aware it contains details they may find distressing. 

Earlier in the week, we published another update in our reporting on Andrew Milne, the London solicitor looking to make huge profits by pressuring hundreds of local leaseholders to buy their freeholds off him. South Yorkshire Police have told us its detectives are “reviewing the matter” after Milne was reported to the police by local MP Olivia Blake. On Thursday, our newest recruit Mollie spoke to staff inside Brigantia, a multi-academy trust that promised to turn around Sheffield’s most troubled schools, but has since been accused of fostering a toxic workplace culture. You can read an excerpt of that piece below.

Two days later, she was suspended. “I don’t remember most of the conversation because I was in shock,” she says, but says the gist was that she hadn’t done her job. She was given an offer: if she were to sign an NDA and leave, Brigantia would give her a positive reference for her next job in education. “I wish I’d never signed that,” she says.

The big picture: Concrete Dreams?

Last week, local street artist Kid Acne installed a new mural on the Coles Brother building. The text reads “Walk in your purpose and trust in the process,” while Kid Acne says “the arrows represent the different directions we’re all heading in, celebrating the diversity and individuality of the city”.

The big story: What to do in Sheffield this Christmas 🎄

Noddy Holder is in full voice and Strictly is down to the final five, which can mean only one thing: Christmas has finally arrived! 

Markets: From Victorian to Ukranian

The Sheffield Christmas Markets have been in full swing for a few weeks, but there are plenty more taking place across the city throughout December. This weekend (6-7 December), the ever-popular Kelham Island Museum Victorian Christmas Markets returns and, on Sunday, The Mowbray and its sister venue The Victoria in Neepsend will host their first ever Festive Festival, featuring 33 makers and creators offering gifts and seasonal goodies. There will also be festive food and drink, including a mulled wine and mince pie bar, and three Christmas choirs. Tickets are £5 (including a free festive tipple at The Mowbray). Children go free.

If you fancy something a bit different, why not try the Ukrainian Christmas Market at the Millennium Gallery on 13 December? The event will be filled with traditional holiday magic, from delicious Ukrainian food to vibrant art and craft vendors showcasing handmade goods. There will also be opportunities to learn more about Ukrainian traditions in free drop-in workshops. The event runs from 10am-5pm. Suggested donation £3.

Music 🎵 Sheffield Carols and Abbey Road

As everyone knows, the main music events taking place in Sheffield every Christmas are the Sheffield Carols. These special sing-alongs will be heard in pubs across the city all through the festive season. For a full list of every one, click here.

Having written about them last year, Dan is particularly looking forward to watching the Sheffield Beatles Project at the latest of their legendary Christmas concerts. This year, they will be playing the Fab Four’s seminal 1969 album Abbey Road in its entirety, plus a few other surprises, with an outrageously talented 30-piece live band and orchestra. Tickets for their Saturday performance are still available, priced £17-£26.

Away from carols and Come Together, on 19 December, Crookes Social Club will be hosting their Swingin' Christmas with the Northern Collective Big Band, a 20-piece jazz band who will raise the roof with Christmas classics and big band bangers. A Festive Feast of Sheffield Folk will also take place at Firth Hall on 18 December, while the Sheffield Clarinet Ensemble will perform a Christmas Community Playday at St Mark’s in Broomhill on 14 December.

Social 🍻 Cafe quiz and bauble workshop

Everyone loves a Christmas quiz, don’t they? On Wednesday this week (3 December), Marmadukes will host a festive quiz at their Sorting Office cafe on Ecclesall Road in aid of Grow, a charity which helps 16-24 year olds in Sheffield boost mental health, confidence, and employability through nature and gardening. Tickets are £16 per person.

And on Thursday, 11 December, join the National Videogames Museum for their festive social, an evening of games and gifts, from Pokémon cross stitch to space invader-inspired jewellery. There will also be a videogame inspired bauble workshop with the fantastic Sheffield illustrator Tom J Newell and a pop up bar with festive drinks.

Film 🍿 Classic Capra or Kermit?

When it comes to people’s favourite Christmas film, it is the eternal question: It’s A Wonderful Life or The Muppet Christmas Carol? Whichever you choose, both are being screened at the Showroom and The Light cinemas this Christmas. If you want to be dangerously subversive and try something different, Elf is on at The Light between 13-18 December, Home Alone is on at the Showroom and The Light, and, if you consider it a Christmas film, Die Hard is on at The Light from 7-20 December. Also, on the weekend of 6-7 December, the Unite the Union Brass Band will return to Showroom Cinema with a special festive performance of the Christmas classic The Snowman with a live score.

Theatre 🎭 Panto and Dickens

Starting on Friday at the Lyceum is Sheffield Theatres’ Christmas pantomime Aladdin. Starring Strictly star Kevin Clifton, CBeebies' Evie Pickerill and Sheffield legend Damian Williams, the show promises to be top-quality entertainment packed with theatrical thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets, fabulous music and hilarious comedy.

As well as that, Sheffielders have not one but two versions of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol to choose from this festive season. On now at The Crucible is Sheffield Theatres’ version of the classic story, featuring Sheffield carols. And, for one night only at the Drama Studio on 17 December, The Book of Darkness and Light Theatre Company will present a gothic adaptation of the remarkable story as you’ve never seen it before.

Art 🖼️ 

For 10 nights from this Friday, Light Up Sheffield will see three of Sheffield’s most iconic landmarks — Sheffield Cathedral, Sheffield Central Library and Pounds Park — transformed with breathtaking light projections inspired by the city itself. Highlights include Pete McKee, whose distinctive artistry will be projected onto Sheffield Cathedral and the Central Library, and Peachzz, whose mural Reverie will come to life, lighting up Pounds Park.

And starting on the same date inside Sheffield Cathedral, a new painting The Nativity by Pete McKee depicts the joyful chaos of a school nativity play. Children at Prince Edward Primary School, Manor, took part in a summer photoshoot to guide Pete’s work.

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Sheffield Wednesday ownership saga ⚽ Last Friday’s edition of The Times offered an update on the hunt for a new Owls owner, as administrators admit their initial deadline of 5 December was probably too optimistic and will likely be extended by a few weeks. Those reported to have thrown their hat in the ring include: John McEvoy, minority shareholder in two American ice hockey and basketball teams; an unnamed US-backed consortium; Anders Holch Povlsen, owner of the Danish football team Midtjylland; former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and a Dubai-based businessman. However, the Times reports at least two bidders have backed off over fears the asking price could rise to £40 million. The Owls’ former owner Dejphon Chansiri is also owed £60m by the club, with at least one former bidder admitting the thought of having to line his pockets was the reason they dropped out.

Police in Sheffield arrest 17 peaceful protesters against genocide 🍉 On Saturday afternoon, South Yorkshire Police arrested 17 people outside Sheffield Cathedral for holding placards showing their support for campaign group Palestine Action. In July, the government ruled that the group is a terrorist organisation, meaning supporters can be charged under the Terrorism Act and receive a six-month prison sentence. The High Court is currently considering whether to overturn the ban. A woman named Rachel, among those arrested, told Now Then she felt compelled to show her support for those trying to shut down UK factories manufacturing arms for Israel, adding: “They are the best of humanity and I have a duty to speak out." A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson told the magazine: “Although most protests are peaceful, there can be instances where actions fall outside the law. We are working closely with local communities and our partners to support a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”

Two arrested in Scotland over Sheffield shooting 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Two people have been arrested in Aberdeen following the shooting of a 16-year-old boy on London Road last Monday evening. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, as the victim remains in life-threatening condition, while a 23-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Previously two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, and a 40-year-old man were also arrested in connection with the shocking crime. Detective Chief Inspector Emma Knight told those who have contacted the police with information so far that their support “is crucial as we strive to secure justice for the injured child and his family and put an end to gun crime in South Yorkshire”. 

The weekly Whitworth ✍️

Cartoonist James Whitworth with his take on our story about allegations there was a “bullying culture” at the Brigantia multi-academy trust.

Home of the week 🏡

This Victorian end terrace in the heart of Meersbrook’s “muesli belt” is located on a quiet cul-de-sac and has been modernised to a high standard. It also has a terraced landscaped garden to the rear and a climbing wall in the garden. It is on the market for £270,000.

Things to do 📆

Talk 💬 On Tuesday, join the Victorian Society South Yorkshire at the Showroom Cinema for a talk about Sheffield’s ties to Atlantic Slavery. Tobias Gardner is a final year history PhD researcher whose thesis focuses on Sheffield’s broad connections to Atlantic Slavery between 1760-1888, both in terms of industry and commerce, but also society, politics and the anti-slavery movement. Tickets are priced £5 and the 90-minute talk begins at 7.30pm.

Art 🖼️ On Thursday, join Yorkshire Artspace at Persistence Works for a guided tour of their new exhibition Unquiet Landscapes, with curator Joanna Whittle and a selection of artists from the show. The tour is described as “a relaxed and unique opportunity to peer behind the scenes, hearing directly from the artists about their techniques and creative approaches to the theme”. The two-hour guided tour is free (suggested donation £3) and starts at 3pm.

Drama 🎭 Starting on Thursday, Sheffield University Theatre Company presents a newly adapted version of Peter Weir’s Oscar-winning 1989 film Dead Poets Society. The story follows seven teenage students on a journey of self discovery and expression guided by their unconventional new English teacher, Mr Keating. Tickets are priced £6-£8 and doors open at 7.30pm. The show runs until Saturday, 6 December.