Free New Year's Eve celebration with headline DJ set by Gok Wan, live music, fairground rides, festive lights and two fireworks displays.
Premier League football match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.
The smash-hit musical Mamma Mia! comes to the Sunderland Empire on its UK & International Tour, with the songs of ABBA.
The award-winning musical about a boy who discovers a passion for dance during the miners' strike of 1984/5, with music by Elton John.
Sir David Jason shares behind-the-scenes tales, anecdotes and rarely seen clips from the classics he starred in, in conversation with Mike Bushell.
Jimmy Carr returns with his dark, fast one-liner stand-up show 'Killing Jokes!' at the Sunderland Empire.
The 10th anniversary tour of the British musical about Jamie New, with an all-star cast including Kelle Bryan and Divina De Campo.
The original Tony-winning jukebox musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons returns for its 20th Anniversary Tour at Sunderland Empire.
Stage adaptation of the classic Hollywood musical film, with original director Jonathan Church and choreographer Andrew Wright returning, and a set that pours 14,000 litres of water on stage.
Charity concert raising money for Love, Amelia, headlined by Frankie and the Heartstrings with Paul Smith, B>E>A>K, Northern Daughters and more, plus a book launch.
The UK tour of the hit concert-style musical Six, in which Henry VIII's six wives tell their stories to the mic, comes to the Sunderland Empire.
World stage premiere of the thriller adaptation of Thomas Harris's novel, with John Partridge as Hannibal Lecter and Mollie Gallagher as Clarice Starling.
World tour production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's steam-powered musical about a steam train and his friends.
The UK and Ireland tour of the family musical Annie, with Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan, at the Sunderland Empire.
Birmingham Royal Ballet's 'The Maiden of Venice', choreographed by Carlos Acosta after 'La Bayadère', with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia playing the score live.
First UK tour of the Olivier Award-winning stage musical based on the 1985 film, starring Axel Duffy as Marty McFly.
National Theatre production of Simon Stephens' play adapted from Mark Haddon's novel, about a teenage maths genius with Asperger's who tries to solve a mystery.
West End and Broadway hit musical comedy about Elle Woods, with Amber Davies in the title role, at the Sunderland Empire.
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Free Christmas concert by the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra, with musical director David Milner and a guest performance by the St Anthony's Girls choir.
The Lake Poets headline The Fire Station for Music Against Child Poverty, with Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park, Frankie and the Heartstrings, B>E>A>K and others, plus a book launch.
Running festival with a 5k on the Saturday evening, a 10k, a half marathon and a family-friendly 3k on the Sunday across Sunderland.
The 75th anniversary UK tour of Agatha Christie's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, at the Sunderland Empire.
Right Track is a music project offering young people the opportunity to learn instruments, write songs, and perform in a supportive environment.
Touring production of the West End musical Sister Act, with music by Alan Menken, starring Zoe Birkett and Craig Revel Horwood.
Annual festive switch-on of the Christmas lights at Keel Square with music, magic and a winter display of lights.
A 13-piece chamber orchestra of classical musicians plays rock and heavy metal hits in classical arrangements on a stage lit by candles.
National tour of Simon Beaufoy's play, a fast and funny show about a group of unemployed men who form a dance troupe, marking the film's 30th anniversary.
A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's feline musical CATS, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, at the Sunderland Empire.
The Transatlantic Ensemble plays Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' in its entirety, plus other classics, at The Fire Station.
Annual 10k road race and junior race along the Roker seafront promenade in support of Children's Cancer North.
Free wedding expo with more than 50 Asian wedding suppliers and a luxury bridal runway showcase by fashion specialists Alankar and Tushita Roy.
One-night-only dance show by Johannes Radebe, star of Strictly Come Dancing and Kinky Boots, bringing his 'Finally Home' tour to the Sunderland Empire.
Annual screening of 'The Snowman' scored live by the award-winning EverReady Band, with three sessions across the day.
Tour stop of the Disney princess musical show, with songs from more than 29 Disney films, at the Sunderland Empire.
Relaxed Christmas pantomime for families, with flying sequences, pirate sword fights and audience interaction, adapted for those who need a more comfortable theatre environment.
The Futureheads play a Christmas family matinee of festive favourites at The Fire Station in Sunderland.
A feel-good Christmas concert spectacular with a cast of singers, dancers and specialty acts, a live band and festive classics.
New Year's Eve dance party with live sets from Re:Rewind and Daft Punkz, dancing into 2027.
Stage musical version of the film Pretty Woman, with direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell and a score by Bryan Adams.
Christmas market with local makers, independent businesses and artisan producers across City Hall, The Beam and Maker Building at Riverside Sunderland.
Olivier-nominated musical that stages the night of the 1985 Live Aid concert, with a percentage of ticket sales going to The Band Aid Charitable Trust.
Family Christmas pantomime of The Little Mermaid, written by Tom Whalley and presented by Dynamique Arts.
Toyah Willcox brings her Christmas Party tour to The Fire Station in Sunderland, with tickets from £29.
Rob Lamberti recreates the voice of George Michael in a tribute show covering his career from Wham! to his solo hits.
Stage adaptation of the ITV comedy Benidorm, bringing the favourite stars of the Solana Hotel to the Sunderland Empire.
UK tour stop of the Whitney Houston tribute show that recreates her most memorable songs and stage looks.
The Manfreds, fronted by original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, play their Get Your Kicks On Tour 2026 show at The Fire Station.
World Fighting League K-1 fight night with the main event of Jamie Bates vs Brice Kombou for the vacant WFL undisputed welterweight world title.
Festive showcase by young performers from Stagecoach Performing Arts schools with dance, musical theatre and seasonal songs.
The Royal Northern Sinfonia brings its winter tour of string music to The Fire Station, with Jonathan Stone on violin.
Elvis tribute show by Lee 'Memphis' King, billed as the World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist, recreating the King's Vegas years with live music and projections.
A fortnightly animation club held at Arts Centre Washington for those interested in creating their own animations.
Weekly Friday pop-up market with around 30 local traders, live music from buskers and live painting by local artists at Sunderland Train Station.
Comedy poetry show by poet Brian Bilston at The Fire Station on High Street West.
Live tribute show by Cloudbusting, with Kate Bush's hits and original band members, to The Fire Station.
Stand-up show by Gary Delaney with brand-new jokes and his signature dark humour, for ages 16+.
Audio-visual collage of archive film, photographs and audio from the North East, replaying every hour on the hour across 36 screens in Culture House Sunderland.
Live show by the Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers, blending traditional Irish music, soul and gospel, at The Fire Station.
Jason Byrne marks three decades of comedy with his stand-up show '30 Years Byrning', bringing back the props and stunts of his earlier work.
Author talk by bestselling novelist Adele Parks about her psychological thriller 'Eyes on You', with book sales and a signing by Featherbed Books.
The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company brings Steve Gilroy's play about a learning-disabled protagonist to Arts Centre Washington.
Touring 80s party show from The Adelphi Theatre in London, with live band Electric Dreams playing chart anthems of the decade.
Scottish traditional fiddle music from Blazin' Fiddles, with Jenna Reid, Kristan Harvey and Rua Macmillan, to The Fire Station.
Glasgow band Skerryvore, masters of contemporary Scottish traditional music, play The Fire Station in Sunderland.
Free concert by the British Army's Army Engagement Ensemble, part of the Beat of the Nation day of performances at The Fire Station.
Free screening of the Europa League match between Sunderland and Jagiellonia Bialystok on a big screen at The Fire Station.
A totally live tribute show with the number-one hits of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, from 'Sherry' and 'December 1963' to 'Big Girls Don't Cry'.
Seventh edition of the Open Arms Awards, run by Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland, to honour individuals, volunteers and organisations that make a difference in the city.
Fanzone at The Fire Station to watch the AC Milan v Sunderland Europa League match live on video walls, hosted by the Wise Men Say Podcast.
A 45-minute Christmas theatre show for under-7s, with relaxed performances and a meet-and-greet with the characters.
Tribute show to Coldplay with LED wristbands and live performances of the band's greatest hits at The Fire Station.
Over-18s daytime disco with ABBA anthems, disco and 70s classics in an ABBA-inspired atmosphere of shimmering lights and tinsel wigs.
Live Christmas broadcast of festive and West End/Broadway musical numbers by Arts North Studios Weekend Academy students.
Solo stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' by Dyad Productions, with one actor playing every character.
Paul Edis and a nine-piece band play new big-band arrangements of festive favourites, with Jo Harrop on vocals, on the A Jazzy Christmas tour.
A cappella folk group The Young'Uns play Christmas songs, old and new, in three-part harmony at The Fire Station.
A tribute show recreating a buzzing Nashville honky-tonk with classic and modern country hits performed by Dominic Halpin & The Hurricanes.
High-energy live tribute show to the global pop group Katzeye with choreography, vocals and audience interaction.
Free screening of the Europa League match Sunderland versus Levski Sofia on The Fire Station's big screens.
Strictly 18+ daytime disco with 80s classics, synth-pop and rock anthems, neon lights and a retro dance floor at The Point.
A live stage show celebrating the music of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, with hits like 'Jolene' and 'Islands in the Stream'.
Michael Jackson tribute show with Ben Bowman and a live band playing the King of Pop's greatest hits at the Sunderland Empire.
Dire Straits tribute show fronted by guitarist Aled Williams at The Fire Station.
Talking Heads tribute from Bristol recreating the band's hits from 'Stop Making Sense', 'Fear of Music' and 'Remain in Light'.
Irish folk show by Seven Drunken Nights, a tribute to The Dubliners, with classics like 'Whiskey in the Jar'.
Stage show with six former Sunderland AFC players sharing match memories and stories, with an interactive Q&A.
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre brings his live show about killers who came close to escaping justice to The Fire Station.
A 45-minute puppetry and storytelling show with songs and interactive fun for children aged 2-5, set in Santa's workshop.
