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  • Writer's pictureKelly

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


To find out more and to keep up to date with our latest adventures then you can follow us Facebook twitter Instagram



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

Christmas Fair - West Community Centre 19th Nov

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

To find out more and to keep up to date with our latest adventures then you can follow us Facebook twitter Instagram


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