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02 July 2026 05 July 2026
Crossed Wires Podcast Festival 2026Crossed Wires Podcast Festival returns to Sheffield in July 2026 — bringing four days of live podcasts, big names, and buzzing city-wide events to South Yorkshire.
Described by The Sunday Times as “buzzy”, “zippy” and “great fun”, Crossed Wires has quickly grown into one of the world’s biggest podcast festivals, with up to 35,000 people expected to descend on Sheffield across four packed days.
What Is Crossed Wires Podcast Festival?
Running from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 July 2026, the festival takes over multiple venues across Sheffield, combining headline live podcast recordings with a lively Fringe, pop-ups, after-parties and one-off shows.
It’s designed for both first-time visitors and returning fans — whether you’re deep into podcast culture or just looking for something different to do in Sheffield this summer.
First Wave Line-Up Announced
The first wave of acts confirmed for 2026 includes:
Dig It with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
The Blindboy Podcast with Blindboy Boatclub
If I Speak with Ash Sarkar & Moya Lothian McLean
Get A Grip with Angela Scanlon & Vicky Pattison
Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
More acts are still to be announced, with organisers promising an even bigger and broader programme.
BBC Sounds & Free Events
BBC Sounds will also return in 2026, bringing free events, signature storytelling, and familiar BBC voices to the heart of the festival — making Crossed Wires one of the most accessible large-scale festivals in Sheffield.
A City-Wide Festival Experience
From intimate pop-ups to immersive storytelling, Crossed Wires continues to evolve. Expect:
Live podcast recordings
A buzzing Fringe programme
After-parties and special events
Opportunities to discover new podcasts
A welcoming crowd of fellow fans
It’s not just a festival — it’s a celebration of Sheffield’s growing reputation as a home for live conversation, creativity, and independent culture.
👉 Perfect for anyone searching for things to do in Sheffield July 2026, Sheffield festivals, or podcast events in the UK.
For full line-up details and updates, visit: https://crossedwires.live
10:00
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05 July 2026 10:00 11:00
Nick Cope Family Show – Live at the Crucible (Crossed Wires Festival)What is the Nick Cope Family Show?
Nick Cope Family Show is a joyful, music-filled live performance for children and their families, presented by Crossed Wires at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Led by Nick Cope, star of Nick Cope’s Popcast, the show brings Nick’s much-loved songs off the screen and onto the stage in a warm, welcoming concert designed especially for young audiences.
What can families expect?
Nick performs with his guitar alongside beautiful animations, creating a calm but engaging atmosphere that captures children’s attention while remaining relaxed and inclusive.
Audiences can expect:
Favourite Nick Cope songs children already love
New musical surprises
Gentle humour and storytelling
A shared experience that works for both children and grown-ups
Nick’s performances are carefully paced, making them ideal for younger listeners and first-time concertgoers.
Why is Nick Cope so popular?
Nick Cope has been writing and performing music for children and families for over a decade, building a devoted following through his live shows and the huge success of Nick Cope’s Popcast on CBeebies.
He’s known for creating songs that are:
Imaginative and playful
Educational without being patronising
Genuinely enjoyable for adults as well as children
His ability to connect across generations has made his live shows a favourite for families across the UK.
Who is this event for?
This show is perfect for:
Young children and toddlers
Families and carers
Fans of Nick Cope’s Popcast
Anyone looking for gentle, musical things to do in Sheffield with children
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-nick-cope-family-show
13:00
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05 July 2026 13:00 13:30
The Blindboy Podcast (Crossed Wires Festival)One of the most distinctive and influential voices in modern podcasting comes to Sheffield as part of Crossed Wires Podcast Festival 2026.
Blindboy Boatclub is a best-selling Irish writer and podcaster whose work has reached over 80 million listeners worldwide. The Blindboy Podcast has been described by The New York Times as “a cultural phenomenon”, praised for pushing at the boundaries of literature, spoken word, and audio storytelling.
What to Expect
Blindboy’s live podcast performances are renowned for being bold, thoughtful and deeply engaging. Drawing on humour, empathy and sharp cultural insight, he connects with audiences through:
Acclaimed long-form storytelling
Literary influences including symbolism and stream-of-consciousness
Sharp social commentary delivered with warmth and wit
A unique live atmosphere that blends comedy, reflection and connection
His live shows regularly sell out across the world, from Toronto and Brisbane to London’s Hammersmith Apollo.
As The Guardian has noted, Blindboy has “changed podcast culture forever”, while The Irish Times has described him as “one of the most gifted writers of his generation.”
Part of Crossed Wires Podcast Festival
This event forms part of Crossed Wires Podcast Festival, which returns to Sheffield with four days of live podcasts, special performances and conversations across the city.
Whether you’re a long-time listener or discovering Blindboy’s work for the first time, this promises a powerful and unforgettable live experience at one of Sheffield’s most iconic venues.
Details/Tickets: https://crossedwires.live/podcast/the-blindboy-podcast
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05 July 2026 13:45 15:00
Dig It – Live with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball (Crossed Wires Festival)What is Dig It?
Dig It is a warm, funny and honest live talk show presented by Crossed Wires, bringing two of Britain’s most-loved broadcasters to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Long-time friends Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball swap the radio studio for the stage to lift the lid on the everyday reality of trying to live well.
What do Jo and Zoe talk about?
This live show is a relaxed, conversational catch-up covering the things many people are thinking about but rarely hear discussed openly, including:
Homes and gardens
Family life and friendships
Health, ageing and wellbeing
Music and the role it plays in their lives
The tone is reflective, humorous and reassuring — with plenty of warmth and laughter along the way.
Why is this event special?
Unlike a formal interview or broadcast, Dig It gives audiences a chance to see Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball in a more personal, unfiltered setting. Their long friendship and natural chemistry create a show that feels intimate, honest and genuinely relatable.
It’s an opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life and enjoy a thoughtful conversation about what really matters.
Who is this event for?
This event will appeal to:
Fans of Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball
Podcast and live-talk audiences
People interested in wellbeing, culture and everyday life
Anyone looking for relaxed, reflective things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 14+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-dig-it-with-jo-whiley-and-zoe-ball
16:00
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05 July 2026 16:00 20:30
Carlton Club Kids' Easter PartyThis event began 03/04/26 and repeats every day forever
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05 July 2026 16:00 17:15
Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club – Live (Crossed Wires Festival)What is Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club?
Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club is a warm, funny and welcoming live podcast recording presented by Crossed Wires, coming to Sheffield as part of the Crossed Wires Festival.
Hosted by comedians and authors Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd, the show creates a space where outsiders, introverts and the gloriously odd can feel accepted, understood and celebrated.
What happens in the show?
Each episode centres around a book that is:
Special
Stimulating
And, in their words… weird
You don’t need to have read the book to enjoy the show. The focus is on conversation, connection and curiosity — with humour, honesty and plenty of warmth throughout.
Who are the hosts?
Sara Pascoe is known for Out of Her Mind, Taskmaster, The Great British Sewing Bee, Comedians Giving Lectures and Guessable.
Cariad Lloyd is the creator of Griefcast and has appeared in Austentatious, Alan Partridge, Peep Show and QI.
Together, they bring empathy, sharp wit and lived experience to discussions about books, creativity and feeling out of place.
What kind of guests does the show attract?
Previous episodes of Weirdos Book Club have featured guests including:
Naomi Klein, Graham Norton, David Nicholls, Nish Kumar, Marian Keyes, Aisling Bea, Ian Rankin, Harriet Walter, Yomi Adegoke, Annie Macmanus and Tim Key — reflecting the show’s broad cultural reach.
Why is this event special?
This live edition is about more than books. It’s about belonging, vulnerability and finding comfort in stories — whether you’re an avid reader or someone who’s just looking for thoughtful conversation and a few laughs.
Who is this event for?
This event will appeal to:
Podcast fans
Comedy and book lovers
Audiences who enjoy reflective, inclusive discussions
Anyone looking for meaningful, funny things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 14+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-sara-cariads-weirdos-book-club
18:00
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05 July 2026 18:45 20:30
Bold Politics – Live with Zack Polanski (Crossed Wires Festival)What is Bold Politics?
Bold Politics is a live political talk show presented by Crossed Wires, bringing thoughtful, hopeful and forward-looking debate to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Described as “the show making hope normal again”, Bold Politics creates space for honest conversations about the future — centred on listening as much as speaking.
Who is hosting the event?
The show is led by Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.
Zack is joined by thinkers, activists and voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream political discussion, creating a broad, inclusive conversation about where progressive politics can go next.
What topics are explored?
The live discussion ranges across some of the biggest issues shaping everyday life, including:
Immigration
The economy
Inequality
Leadership and political culture
Rather than offering soundbites, Bold Politics focuses on depth, nuance and practical optimism — exploring how change might actually happen.
Why is this event different?
Unlike traditional political talks or panel debates, Bold Politics prioritises listening, openness and audience connection. It’s designed to feel accessible rather than adversarial, welcoming people who may feel disillusioned with politics as well as those deeply engaged in it.
Who is this event for?
This event will appeal to:
People interested in politics and social change
Podcast and live-talk audiences
Activists, students and engaged citizens
Anyone looking for thoughtful, conversation-led things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 14+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/crossed-wires-presents-bold-politics-with-zack-polanski
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