A Summer of fun in Sunderland - Find out what's on in this mega guide
- Kelly
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
This post has been updated for 2025
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
🌞Dragonfly Safari - Self Led - Until 22nd September
🌞Dragonfly Trail - until 22nd September
🌞Pond dipping sessions from 19th July and then every Mon, Wed & Sat until 30th August
🌞Wild walk dragon fly safari - 22nd July - 19th August ( Tues only)
🌞Minibeast Hunt - 31st July and then various dates throughout Summer
🌞Dragonfly fun day - 6th, 20th, August
🌞Den building - 8th August and throughout the summer
National Glass Centre
Free daily glass demonstrations
Dates run throughout the summer so please check.
🌞Ceramic Coiled Pots (ages6+) - 28th July - 25th August
🌞Glass fusing 29th July - 26th August
🌞Printing, Pattern & Textiles - 31st July - 29th August
🌞Collabrative collage - throughout
🌞Glass painting - throughout August
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
🌞Mini science club - Throughout on selected dates
🌞Tuesday Museum Club - Throughout Summer (Tuesdays)
🌞How does your garden grow - Selected dates
🌞Train-tastic - 19th July - 30th August
🌞Terrific train trail - until 5th September
Arts Centre Washington
🌞Mrs Armitage on wheels - 16th August
Souter Lighthouse National Trust
🌞 Moth & Storm Petrel night - 25th July
🌞Seashore Safari - 29th July
🌞Sponsored Abseil - 10th August
Wildlife Trust
🌞Conservation Rangers - Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve - ages 14-18 years
Sunderland Training and educational farm
🌞Summer Camp - Various dates throughout - Please check
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.
Not to Miss!
Sunderland Bede Campus
🌞Moanna summer school - 28th - 31st July
🌞Shrek Summer School - 4th August - 8th August
🌞Spongebob Summer School 4th -7th August
Other events throughout Summer
🌞Utilita Football festival - The Beacon Of Light - 31st July
🌞Big Bear Beach Clean - Potato Garth Slip Way - 1st August
🌞Guided nature walk - Penshaw Monument - 5th August
🌞Sunderland Brick Festival - City Hall - 9th August
🌞North of England Koi Show - 16th - 17th August
🌞Water inflatable course (ages 10+) Sunderland Aquatic Centre 18th August
🌞Sunderland Craft & Beer Festival - The Fire station 22nd -24th August
🌞Sunniside Food Market - 23rd August
🌞Family Fun Day - Herrington Country Park - 30th August
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)
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