Festive Family Fun in Sunderland this Christmas
I have always tried to support local businesses and events whenever possible, so here are a few ideas to choose from, to create the perfect festive day in my home town, Sunderland.
I have added plenty of options, to give you a wide range of ideas.
(Let me know if you know of any more to add to this list)
You can add your family event to our guides for free using THIS form
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Sunderland Light Switch On - 17th November - Keel Square
Starting at 5pm with Metro Radios Steve & Karen kicking of the festive fun. Kevin Phillips and the Mayor will be switching the lights on this year and look out for walk about entertainment from Frozens Anna & Elsa. Also games and prizes to be won.
Christmas In The City Trail - 17th November - 6th January
Join in with the fantastic Sunderland City AR trail this year. The app is free to download and you can also find some great deals for local businesses. Which Characters can you find?
Santa's Grotto - Bridges Shopping Centre - 17th November - 24th December
We think this Santa is the best we have seen yet! And for only £2 per child it is an absolute bargain. Find Out More HERE
National Glass Centre
Photo Memento - Free drop in craft every weekend Find out more HERE
Where's Whimsey Trail - Free trail every weekend Find out more HERE
Daily Glass blowing demos - Please note demos will not take place on certain dates. Find out more HERE
Christmas Baubles - Selling quickly with only one date left! Find out more HERE
Glass Fusing - 21st -29th December Limited dates Find out more HERE
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Football Fun Trail - 19th Nov - 27th Jan
Football Art Prize - 19th Nov - 11 Mar
Festive Tree Decorations 26th Nov
Winter Warmer Mugs 3rd Dec
Upcycled Christmas 3rd Dec
Find out more HERE
Washington Arts Centre
Christmas Wreath Making 3rd Dec
Three Bears at Christmas 6th Dec - 11th Dec
Find out more HERE
Sunderland Empire Theatre
Road to Christmas - 22nd Nov To book click HERE
White Christmas the Musical - 28th Nov - 3rd Dec To Book click HERE
Aladdin - 9th Dec - 2nd Jan To book click HERE
George Washington Hotel
Elf Workshop 17th Dec
Disco with the Elves 3rd & 23rd Dec
Lunch with The Grinch 10th Dec
Santa Storytime 21st Dec
Breakfast with the Elves 24th Dec
Santa Sunday Lunch 11th & 18th Dec
Family New Years Eve 31st Dec
Find Out More HERE
Grand Hotel
Christmas Eve festive afternoon tea
Children's Christmas party 20th Dec
Lunch with The Grinch & Cindy Lou 21st Dec
Find out more HERE
Carnival House
Christmas Paint & Plonk 3rd Dec
Santa Grotto 17th Dec
Christmas Character Party Times 23rd Dec
Find out more HERE
Sunderland Bowl
Christmas Family Packages - 2 Adults, 2 kids, 2 games of bowling, festive platter and 4 drinks you also get Santa hats and crackers £60 per lane
Kids Christmas Package - 2 games, kids meal, 1 drink, hats & Crackers £16 per person
Adults Christmas Package - 2 games, platter, 1 drink, hats and crackers £21 per person
Christmas eve deal - 2 games £9 per person
Boxing day deal - 2 games £9 per person
Find Out More HERE
The Fire station
Choral Christmas with Voices Of Hope 4th Dec
Merry Christmas with the conshed sisters 17th Dec
A Jazzy Christmas 19th Dec
Find out more HERE
17 Nineteen
Merry & Bright - A carolling walk around Old Sunderland - Church Street East 10th December 10am-12pm
This sounds like lots of fun! A walking tour around the east end whilst singing carols and having fun. Find Out More HERE
Breakfast with Santa 10th Dec
Christmas Crafternoon 3rd Dec
Find out more HERE
Santa Paws - Pets At Home Washington 21tst November
Find out more HERE
Concord Illuminations 21st Nov - 4.30-7pm
Hosted by Sun-Fms Simon Grundy. Also a firework display
More info HERE
Book signing with Glenda Young - Waterstones 26th Nov
More info HERE
Reindeer Dash - 27th November
For just £4.50, children can take part in this 1k fun run around the Bridges
Shopping Centre in aid of Red Sky Foundation and the Foundation of light.
Anyone young at heart can also take part for £6.50. Entry prices include antlers and red noses, as well as free entry to visit Santa. Find out more HERE
Breakfast with Santa - Bridges shopping Centre - 4th December running every Sunday in December
This event takes place at Esquires Coffee Shop and includes a cooked breakfast for every paying child and a breakfast sandwich for the adults. You can also expect a visit from Santa and crafts with the elves. £10 per person. Tickets can be booked at the customer service desk. Find Out More HERE
Wreath Making - Ryhope Community Centre - 6th Dec & 11th Dec
Find out more HERE
Polar Express Pyjama Party - Sunderland Empire Cinema 10th Dec
Find out more HERE
Christmas Carol service - Fulwell Methodist Church 11th Dec
Find out more HERE
Late night shopping with Bridges Shopping Centre - 12th Dec - 2nd Jan
Christmas With The Songbirds - St Marys Church 17th Dec
Find Out More HERE
Sunderland Symphony Orchestra Christmas By Candlelight- West Church - 17th Dec 4-7pm
Find out more HERE
Christmas Day Park Run - Herrington Park 9am
Find out more HERE
Boxing Day Dip 26th December Seaburn beach
More info HERE
Puffing Billy will be visiting again this year starting from 11th Dec - 22nd Dec keep an eye out for our up coming blog post with full details, dates & Locations
Keep checking HERE for the post
Looking to visit some festive garden centres?
We recommend Clays Garden Centre Washington
Christmas Markets in Sunderland
Winter Fair - Springwell Village Community Centre 19th Nov
Christmas Fayre - St Mary Magdalene CofE Church 19th Nov
This Is Christmas - Stadium Of Light 20th Nov
Athenaeum Fair - Fawcett Street 26th Nov
Christmas Craft Fair - National Glass Centre 26th Nov
Christmas Market - Bede Tower 26th November
Christmas Market - Carnival House 26th November
Christmas Fair - Town End Farm WMC 26th November
Christmas Fair - Betsy Jenny Counselling/Wellbeing Café 27th Nov
Alternative Christmas Fair - Roker Hotel 27th Nov
Sunderland Christmas Wonderland - West Community Centre 2nd - 4th Dec
Christmas Fair - Play Café 3rd Dec
Christmas Craft Fair - Souter Lighthouse 3rd Dec
Christmas Fayre - Fullwell Community Centre 3rd Dec
Christmas Fair - Redhouse Community Centre 3rd Dec
Christmas Fair - Doxford Park Library 3rd Dec
Christmas Bazaar by Candlelight - 17nineteen 9th Dec
Christmas Market Purple Lily Bistro 11th Dec
To find more Markets click HERE
Check out these posts
All of our Christmas guides in one handy place
13 places to go for a walk in Sunderland
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