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Although nicknamed ‘The Steel City’, Sheffield has much more to offer than industrial chic. As the greenest city in the UK, with a thriving student and young adult population, Sheffield is home to many independent businesses, street food vendors and markets.
This blog would be far too long if it were to cover every single market across the city. So, I’ve laid out some of the most popular. All but one are free to attend and many take place multiple times throughout the year. If you like spending your weekends shopping for local art, creations, supplies and food, these are the best places to go!
Peddler Market
Probably the most well-known market in Sheffield, Peddler Market is based in Kelham Island in an ex-industrial warehouse turned event space. Utilising the city’s industrial vibe, visitors are presented with an afternoon and evening of award-winning street food, craft beer, cocktails, live music and stalls from local artists and makers. Best of all, it’s free to attend!
Taking place on the first weekend of every month, the market runs on Friday evening (5pm-11pm) and Saturday afternoon (12pm-11pm). In addition to the food, entertainment is a key part of this event. Multiple local musicians are invited to play in the main food hall throughout the evening and the courtyard is no stranger to a DJ set and dance session.
Peddler Market is consistently recognised as one of the best street food events in the UK and that’s why it has recently expanded to Chesterfield, Leeds and Wakefield. People from all walks of life are welcome and you can even bring your dog along!
Pollen Market
An offshoot of the Peddler project, Pollen Market describes itself as a monthly celebration of all things botanical. Taking place on the third Sunday of every month, you’ll find this lively and colourful plant market overlooking the River Don in Castlegate.
From 10am to 4pm, market stalls sell plants, flowers, handmade crafts, local produce, books and art. The only rule is that everything has to be inspired by nature. Local street food vendors are also always on hand to offer refreshments, snacks and ice cream.
Sharrow Vale Market
Many local independent shops, businesses and eateries gather three times a year on Sharrow Vale road to form this popular market. Increasingly known as a foodie destination, visitors will find organic greengrocers, bakers, patisseries, wine shops, sandwich shops, BBQs and a range of cafes. Many of the businesses already operating on Sharrow Vale have their own stall, including the locally famous doughnut shop, Eve’s Kitchen.
In addition to a scrumptious lunch or afternoon treat, you’ll get to explore small clothing brands, plant stalls, artisan gifts and antiques. Running from Hunters Bar roundabout to Stewart road, there’s over 100 stalls and live music running from 12pm - 4pm.
Sheffield Vegan Market
You may have noticed we’re very proud of our local street food offerings in Sheffield. So much so, we welcome the national vegan market four times a year in our city centre. Taking over the Moor, one of the main shopping streets, you’ll find a huge variety of street food vendors, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, local artists and more! There’s also lots of gluten free options too.
Taking place on Sundays from 10:30am - 4pm, the Sheffield Vegan Market is the perfect excuse to head into town for a lip smacking lunch and a spot of shopping.
Nether Edge Farmers Market
No list of markets would ever be complete without a farmers market. Running every quarter in the streets of the old Nether Edge market place, neighbourhood volunteers put together an offering of over 80 stalls of wares and goods.
The market also runs a host of entertainment throughout the day. In the past there have been morris dancers, street dancers, choirs, bands, university drama groups and even clog dancers! Oh, and best of all, any money the organisers make from running the market is donated to local charities.
Art in the Gardens
Last up is the only ticketed market on this list. Held once a year in September across a weekend, artists and craft makers from across the UK gather in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens to sell their creations directly. This is one of the largest outdoor art markets in the north of England and attracts premier artists and craft professionals. The event also features an area for local young artists to promote their work.
Each day the gardens are open from 10:30am - 5:30pm and tickets will only set you back £6. Local food and drink vendors are on site for lunch and refreshments, and you can bring your dog too!
This list is but a small offering of the local events of Sheffield. I haven’t even covered the yearly tattoo festival, the incredibly dog-friendly REX market or the Artists and Makers market in the cathedral. Thankfully, you can find a list of all the upcoming events, markets, fairs and car boot sales on the council website.
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