A Summer of fun in Sunderland - Find out what's on in this mega guide
- Kelly
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
This post is being updated for 2026
There are lots of brilliant things going on in Sunderland for the summer holidays, I thought I would put together one handy list in a certain place for you to come back to when you are looking for inspiration.
Make sure you head over to the attraction websites to double check dates and to check for cancellations.
Please do let me know if I have missed anything or you have something running for summer and I will add it to this guide.
If you have a family friendly event that you would like us to include in our guides please click HERE This post will be updated regularly so keep checking back.
You can also advertise your business every Friday for free in our very popular Facebook Group. HERE
Keep scrolling to the bottom for lots more ideas
What's On
WWT Washington
🌞Moth Mornings - 18th, 30th July / 1st, 15th August
🌞Pond Dipping - 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th July / 3rd, 5th,14th,17th,19th,24th,26th August
🌞Dragonfly Safari - 21st, 28th July / 4th, 11th,18th August
🌞Mini Beast Hunting - 23rd, 31st July / 25th August
🌞Animal Mischief - Craft Sessions - 24th July / 12th, 13th,27th August
🌞Build a bug house - 25th July
🌞Dragonfly crafts - 6th,10th,28th August
🌞Den building - 7th August
🌞Face painting - 8th, 16th August
🌞Silent disco - 22nd, 23rd,24th August
National Glass Centre
Free daily glass demonstrations
Dates run throughout the summer so please check.
🌞Glass painting - 21st-23rd - booking required
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
🌞Bug Bonanza in the garden - 20th July
🌞Treasure Keepers trail - 23rd July - 5th September
🌞Birds eye view in the garden - 10th August
🌞Really wild garden fair - 20th August
Souter Lighthouse National Trust
🌞Summer of play - Running throughout
Beacon Of Light
There's lots going (way too much to list) on at The Beacon of Light over the Summer so head to the website for dates.
Other events throughout Summer
🌞Summer car show - North East Land Sea & Air Museum - 9th August
🌞Sunderland Brick Festival - 22nd August - City Space
🌞Fireman Sam live - 28th July - The Firestation
Other Ideas
Super tramp is an amazing idea if you are looking for a place for the kids to burn some energy
Omniplex Cinema - The cinema Is always a great rainy day idea and Omniplex who now run the cinema in Sunderland have a fab pass for £11.99 for a month
Summer Reading Challenge - You could set your own or you could follow your local libraries who usually have craft/activities sessions throughout Summer.
Sunderland Bowl always have deals running so make sure you check the website for the offers.
Sunderland Sculpture Trail ( You can grab a leaflet from the Glass Centre) we love doing this! Start at the Wearmouth Bridge, work your way along to Roker, enjoy the beach grab an Ice cream then go dolphin spotting along Roker Pier.
Enjoy the gorgeous beaches. We have a few to choose from Roker, Seaburn, Whitburn, Hendon and Ryhope beach are all beautiful. Ryhope beach is not suitable for those with mobility issues or pushchairs as there are lots of steps to get down.
Hike up Penshaw Monument and enjoy the views and then walk down to Cox Green and enjoy a lovely river/woodland walk
Head up Tunstall Hill and enjoy the views, if the grass is short you could also enjoy a picnic
Visit A Play Park!
Roker Park which sometimes has a miniature railway and free crafts/trails on a Sunday
Herrington Country Park - The biggest park in Sunderland. You will find a play park, woodland walk, lots of birds to feed (seed please) and plenty of picnic spots
Silksworth leisure complex has a pretty impressive play area
Hylton Castle which also has a disability swing (you need a radar key to use it)
Mowbray park has a half decent play area and the park is lovely and well kept
Backhouse Park is ideal for those who like somewhere a bit quieter
Ryhope Playing Fields has a fairly new play park
Ryhope Cricket Club has a lovely little play area for the younger kids (it is quite small though)
Thompson Park (Southwick end) has a good play area and loads of room to run around.
Downhill Sports Complex
James Steel Park
Hetton Lyons Country Park
Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve has a lovely wild play area
Barnes Park
Silksworth Park (we love the tennis courts in here!)
Check out these other posts
Our epic summer holiday guide (Coming Soon)
Spring walk ideas (Also nice during summer)
