About

Crossed Wires is a celebration of the podcasts you love, the hosts you obsess over, and the stories that stick with you long after your headphones are off.

Expect live podcast recordings, a packed Fringe, after-parties, and one-off events across the city’s most iconic venues - including Sheffield City Hall and the Crucible - all within easy walking distance, so no need for an ordinance survey map!

2026 promises even more opportunities to discover new favourites, meet fellow fans, and immerse yourself in the thriving podcast scene that now calls Sheffield home. From unexpected pop-ups to immersive storytelling sessions, the festival is constantly evolving, always ready to surprise and delight. Whether you’re a podcast connoisseur or just curious, there’s a place — and a moment — waiting for you here.

How did it all start?

Crossed Wires began — as all the best ideas do — on a muddy walk in the Peak District. Three friends — podcaster Alice Levine, producer Dino Sofos, and festival founder James O’Hara — wondered why there wasn’t a place for podcast lovers to come together… so they made one!