What's On
How to Do the Festival
Never been to a street art festival before? Don’t worry — it’s not complicated. Think of it like a gig, but instead of music, it’s walls.
1. Watch it happen
Artists will be painting across the city all week. Some are locals you might pass every day, others are travelling in from further afield, each bringing their own style, energy and ideas.
- Some pieces will appear in a few hours.
- Some will take all week.
- Some will still be drying when you walk past.
That’s part of the fun — you get to see the process, the mess, the scale, the patience, and the occasional “how on earth are they doing that up there?” moment.
Grab our Festival Map to follow the trail:
- PDF download available
- Or pick up a limited printed map at one of our four key hubs:
- Head Post Office SHU
- Nomad Maison
- Alder Bar
- Club de Padel (Sheffield’s newest sports + entertainment spot)
If you’re not sure who to ask, look for the crew in branded hi-vis — they’ll point you in the right direction.
👉 Coming from Sheffield station? Head towards Pond Street, turn left at Bakers Hill, and you’ll pass an incredible mural created with Fred Aldous Artists in Residence. Keep walking into the SHU Art & Design building to start your festival journey.
2. Get stuck in
This festival isn’t just about watching. We’ve packed the weekend with:
- Talks, tours and workshops — limited spaces, so book ahead.
- Graffiti battles — live, loud, and a proper Sheffield favourite.
- Music, food and pop-up events — from hip hop sets to hidden venues you might not have explored before.
Whether you’re here for the art, the atmosphere, or just to wander into a new corner of the city, there’ll be something waiting.
Why we do it
Lick of Paint is about more than murals. It’s about people — coming together, swapping ideas, and reimagining Sheffield’s walls as a canvas. Some of the work you’ll see is temporary, but the conversations, the connections, and the memories last longer.
This is our first year — the start of something bigger. So come along, join the ride, and see where we can take it.
