From the Empire Theatre’s annual pantomime to a pop-up ice rink and renditions of Hansel and Gretel, there’s plenty of events sprinkling some festive magic in the city.
Here’s a round up of things to do for all the family.
9. Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
With a packed year-round programme of fun, family-friendly events for all ages, a trip to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is an ideal place to entertain the children during the holidays. Snow White's Enchanted Forest Trail will be running throughout December. Trails cost £2.50 each and are available to buy from Museum Reception. You can also pick up Sunderland-themed gifts from the shop. Photo: jpi media
10. Santa's Grotto, the Bridges
Santa's Grotto is at the Bridges until Christmas Eve. It's open seven days a week, from 11am until 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am – 6pm on
Thursdays, 10am – 4pm on Saturdays and 11am-4pm on Sundays, with children of all ages invited to pop along with their parents. Entrance to the grotto is £2 with the proceeds distributed to local charities and good causes, with children receiving a gift. Photo: jpi media
11. Live music
Sunderland's new Fire Station Auditorium opens on December 10 and will be hosting Christmas-themed concerts, including Northern Sinfonia by candlelight on Sunday, December 12. Meanwhile, you can get dancing as Voices of Virtue take to the stage on Sunday, December 19 with Northern Soul heroes Smoove and Turrell, for a memorable evening of gospel-powered funk and soul. Photo: Stu Norton
12. Winter Wonderland, Rainton Arena
Rainton Arena’s Winter Wonderful has returned for a third year with fairground rides, ice skating, food stalls and a pantomime. Entry to the venue is free however tickets for ice skating, meeting Santa, the pantomime and other activities need to be booked online beforehand, with the fairground rides also being individually priced. It runs until January 2. Photo: submitted