The Fringe at Tramlines is set to once again transform Sheffield’s city centre into a vibrant hub of music, culture and community spirit from 25th to 27th July, with more than 40 venues hosting a packed programme of live performances, DJs, and special events.
Now a cornerstone of Sheffield’s summer calendar, The Fringe is delivered with support from Sheffield BID, Sheffield City Council, and the Tramlines Festival.
Its accessible, city-wide format has made it one of the most anticipated free festivals in the region. Last year’s edition drew over 45,000 attendees, delivering an impressive £1.86 million boost to the local economy.
At the heart of the festivities is the Fringe Stage at Devonshire Green, curated by Tramlines co-founder Alan Deadman. This is a welcoming space for all ages, offering a relaxed, inclusive environment to enjoy live music and soak up the festival atmosphere in the open air.
The 2025 programme promises a strong mix of returning favourites and fresh talent. Ska ensemble Jungle Lion will headline the Saturday evening, bringing their high-energy brass and rhythms back to the Fringe stage. On Sunday, legendary reggae artist Macka B and his Roots Ragga Band will deliver a headline set rooted in decades of musical influence and activism.
The weekend also shines a spotlight on emerging talent, with several performers from the Tracks music project—an initiative supporting young musicians aged 14 to 25—taking the stage. Earlier this year, Ed Sheeran made a surprise visit to Tracks and even appeared for an impromptu city centre performance alongside Tracks artists and grime icon JME, adding excitement and momentum to the project’s growing reputation.
But the Devonshire Green stage is just one part of a much larger celebration. Across the city, pubs, bars, shops and public spaces will be hosting events and performances throughout the weekend. New additions for 2025 include a programme at Department (formerly Kommune) and a large-scale event in New Era Square, expanding the festival’s footprint and bringing more communities into the fold.
Saturday’s line-up at Devonshire Green also includes sets from Shanghai Treason, The Tivolis (selected by WaterBear Music College), Blue Street Brass, and Highway Child, along with DJ appearances from DJ Myna, DJ Kom, and DJ Issa Dancer. Sunday brings a soulful close to the weekend with Soul Battalion, a live dance showcase by Ripton Lindsey, and additional performances from Tracks artists. Papa Al will also be performing across the weekend, bringing his signature global music selections to the stage.
Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, commented: “As we mark a decade of Sheffield BID in the city centre, we’re rightly proud of our continued association with The Fringe at Tramlines weekender.
“The event plays an important role in the annual events calendar, driving footfall into the city centre over the three days of The Fringe, bringing welcome dwell time and most importantly additional spend into our city centre business community.
“The Fringe at Tramlines has been one of the BID’s signature festivals since our inception and we look forward to continuing to play our part in delivering a welcoming and vibrant experience for city centre visitors.”
Organisers are encouraging anyone planning a Fringe event to submit their listings through the Welcome to Sheffield website to be part of the official programme.
Whether you’re a music lover, a family looking for a weekend out, or simply keen to experience Sheffield at its most lively and creative, The Fringe at Tramlines 2025 promises an unmissable summer celebration—and it’s all completely free.
That can be done using this link www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/submit-your-event.
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