Regular free session for over-16s to get started with family history and genealogy research.
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Exhibition of large-scale oil paintings, bronze sculpture and prints by Sunderland artist Ron Lawson celebrating the women of Sunderland's wartime industries.
Fortnightly free session for young people aged 11 to 19 to develop their artistic practice with guest artists at Arts Centre Washington.
Weekly social evening of board games and free Domino's pizza for University of Sunderland students at Your SU @ Riverside.
Weekly writing sessions for mothers and anyone who identifies with motherhood to process the transition into motherhood through writing and community.
Free computer skills course for over-16s to learn, experiment and create with digital tools.
Free weekly review sessions to watch, discuss and review short films before the 2027 Sunderland Shorts Film Festival.
Relaxed Wednesday evening of games, Bible study, worship and conversation open to anyone new to faith or looking for community.
Talk by archivist Elena Carter on cataloguing Audrey Amiss's archive, with the 'Audrey Amiss: Kitchen Sink Realism' exhibition open to view.
Free sensory session for children aged 0-4 and their grown-ups to experience the Rhyme & Shine show through songs, stories and music in the 360 Immersion Gallery.
Comedy poetry show by poet Brian Bilston at The Fire Station on High Street West.
Comedy play by Tom Casling about a family inheritance that fails to materialise, directed by Marshall Peach and brought to the stage by Hallmarsh Productions.
Free installation by Clive Davis that uses photographs and red squares to explore space, time, identity and signs and symbols.
Workshop led by Lucy from Willow & Wreath to make a Christmas wreath from scratch with seasonal foliage, decorations and ribbons.
Live tribute show by Cloudbusting, with Kate Bush's hits and original band members, to The Fire Station.
Free lunchtime guided tour of Audrey Amiss's solo show 'Kitchen Sink Realism' at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.
Evening of gentle Qigong movement, breathwork, meditation and immersive gong sound, inspired by the phases of the Moon and hosted by practitioner Shaney Barton.
A rare appearance by singer-songwriter Will Oldham, aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, with support from Dawn McCarthy.
Free monthly market of local artists, makers and food producers held at Sunderland Train Station on the second Saturday of every month.
Behind-the-scenes tour of the Sunderland Empire theatre with staff-led stories and backstage access.
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.
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.
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.
Annual festive switch-on of the Christmas lights at Keel Square with music, magic and a winter display of lights.
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.
Over-18s daytime Northern Soul dance party with rare grooves, spinning soles and feel-good soul at The Point.
Tribute to Ritchie Blackmore's rock years with Deep Purple and Rainbow, marking the band's 10th anniversary and 50 years since Rainbow Rising.
Scottish traditional fiddle music from Blazin' Fiddles, with Jenna Reid, Kristan Harvey and Rua Macmillan, to The Fire Station.
Screening of Tex Avery's animated film 'Coyote vs. Acme', in which Wile E. Coyote sues ACME for its malfunctioning products.
Free wedding expo with more than 50 Asian wedding suppliers and a luxury bridal runway showcase by fashion specialists Alankar and Tushita Roy.
Ghost story show by The Book of Darkness & Light that brings two classic ghost stories to life on stage, for audiences 14 and over.
Ballet and contemporary dance classes for adults over 50 at the Sunderland Empire, with no previous experience needed.
Free screening of the Europa League match between Sunderland and Jagiellonia Bialystok on a big screen at The Fire Station.
Live tribute show to Queen, recreating the band's touring days with their favourite anthems.
Community choir for people aged 50 and over that rehearses on Fridays at the Sunderland Empire.
Free lunchtime curator-led tour of 'Kitchen Sink Realism', the major solo show of Sunderland artist Audrey Amiss at the NGCA.
Black-tie MMA night from Ultra MMA at The Point, with eight weeks of free training at a local gym and a suggested £50 charity raise.
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'.
Premier League football match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.
Free post-match discussion with North East Premier League reporter Andy Sixsmith after the Spurs game, held at The Fire Station.
Annual 1km indoor festive family fun run around The Bridges Shopping Centre, with all entries going to the Red Sky Foundation.
Annual 10k road race and junior race along the Roker seafront promenade in support of Children's Cancer North.
The Royal Northern Sinfonia brings its winter tour of string music to The Fire Station, with Jonathan Stone on violin.
A show by Connect Theatre Company, an inclusive theatre group for adults with additional needs, at the Sunderland Empire.
West End and Broadway hit musical comedy about Elle Woods, with Amber Davies in the title role, at the Sunderland Empire.
Toyah Willcox brings her Christmas Party tour to The Fire Station in Sunderland, with tickets from £29.
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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.
Family Christmas pantomime of The Little Mermaid, written by Tom Whalley and presented by Dynamique Arts.
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.
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.
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.
A feel-good Christmas concert spectacular with a cast of singers, dancers and specialty acts, a live band and festive classics.
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 puppetry and storytelling show with songs and interactive fun for children aged 2-5, set in Santa's workshop.
Singer-songwriter Callum O'Neil plays the Arts Centre Washington with support from Kayden Turner and Daniel Maple, as part of the venue's Christmas programme.
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.
Family singalong with Santa and his elves in a heated marquee at The Fire Station.
Festive showcase by young performers from Stagecoach Performing Arts schools with dance, musical theatre and seasonal songs.
Christmas showcase by the Arts North Studios Academy held at The Fire Station in Sunderland.
The Transatlantic Ensemble plays Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' in its entirety, plus other classics, at The Fire Station.
The Futureheads play a Christmas family matinee of festive favourites at The Fire Station in Sunderland.
A festive screening of The Muppets Christmas Carol at the Arts Centre Washington.
Annual screening of 'The Snowman' scored live by the award-winning EverReady Band, with three sessions across the day.
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.
Professional wrestling show by All Star Wrestling closing its 2026 UK tour at The Fire Station.
Relaxed Christmas pantomime for families, with flying sequences, pirate sword fights and audience interaction, adapted for those who need a more comfortable theatre environment.
Free New Year's Eve celebration with headline DJ set by Gok Wan, live music, fairground rides, festive lights and two fireworks displays.
A tribute show recreating a buzzing Nashville honky-tonk with classic and modern country hits performed by Dominic Halpin & The Hurricanes.
Comedian Joanne McNally brings her Pinotphile stand-up show, following the success of 'The Prosecco Express', to the Sunderland Empire.
A fully staged, one-night-only live Motown tribute show with a live band and choreography covering the Motown songbook.
Weekly Friday pop-up market with around 30 local traders, live music from buskers and live painting by local artists at Sunderland Train Station.
Right Track is a music project offering young people the opportunity to learn instruments, write songs, and perform in a supportive environment.
Relaxed weekly art session for over-18s to try new techniques, with materials provided.
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.
A fortnightly animation club held at Arts Centre Washington for those interested in creating their own animations.
Weekly 30-minute sessions for children aged 0-6 and their grown-ups to discover objects, places and stories around Culture House Sunderland.
Free documentary film screenings on different topics, each followed by a group discussion, held every other Tuesday at Culture House Sunderland.
Free 10-week DJing course for young people aged 9 to 14 to learn mixing techniques with professional equipment, presented by Music Connects Sunderland.
