Here’s just some of the big festivals and shows so far - with more events expected to be announced, especially around the opening of the new footbridge in August and Culture House in autumn.
13. Sunderland Craft Beer Festival, The Parade Ground
Sunderland Craft Beer Festival returns to The Parade Ground at The Fire Station from August 22 to 24. It will offer a huge selection of beers from 15 of the UK’s leading indie breweries, along with some of the best street food vendors around and a carefully curated list of DJ sets throughout the weekend. As well as beer, there’ll be lots of cider, wine, cocktails, low alcohol options and more. | Sunderland Empire
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14. Waves Festival, Autumn
Waves Festival is set to return to Sunderland city centre in Autumn as it goes from strength to strength. It features a bumper day of music across a host of venues. More on the line-up for 2025 in the coming months. | Sunderland Echo
15. Mary Poppins, Sunderland Empire, October
Following a record-breaking run in London’s West End, where the show received rave reviews and nightly standing ovations, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical Group bring Mary Poppins to Sunderland Empire from Wednesday 1 – Saturday 25 October 2025. | Submitted
16. Boundaries Festival, November 21 - 22
Boundaries Festival will return this November after establishing itself as a unique experimental music and arts festival over the past four years. Expect musicians from across the world at multiple venues in the city centre. Photos by Victoria Wai. | Victoria Wai