Free Summer Streets festival returning to Sunderland seafront - here's what's in store
The grassroots community festival is returning for its 12th year.
“It feels like the event just gets bigger and better every single year,” says the organisers of one of Sunderland’s most community-focused festivals.
Summer Streets returns to Cliffe Park in Seaburn on Saturday July, 4 and Sunday, July 5 2026 - and the packed programme has been unveiled.
As well as free live music from a host of acts, there will be arts, workshops and community activities across the two days.
Performers confirmed for the event this year are:
*Martin McAloon, of Prefab Sprout
*The Lindisfarne Story Band featuring Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw
*Royal Northern Sinfonia
*Demob Happy headline the BBC Introducing North East stage
*Jamagotchi, a Sunderland-based supergroup doing classic 1990’s hits
*BBC 6Music regulars Pit Pony
*Cortney Dixon who performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas this year
* The Bonnersfield Blues Boom – a new group featuring Peter and David Brewis from Field Music.
Organised by The Futureheads’ Ross Millard, the event brings three music stages, programmed across the weekend with live music, as well as a number of tents and tipis scattered across Cliffe Park.
Main stage hosts for 2026 are former BBC anchor Jeff Brown on Saturday, and Frankie Francis – frontman of Frankie & The Heartstrings - on Sunday.
Ross said: “We’re really pleased to have secured such a strong line-up of artists and performers for 2026. It feels like the event just gets bigger and better every single year.
“At its heart, Summer Streets is about creating a welcoming ‘coming together’ moment for the city. People of all ages, all backgrounds and all interests can all find something that appeals to them at the event. It’s really wonderful and I am proud to be able to deliver it for free again this year, making arts and culture accessible to all.”
Other programme highlights include a BBC Introducing North East stage takeover, presented by radio presenter Shakk; a Young Musicians Project showcase; music workshops and participation activity from Music Connects; a Culture Start performance area takeover and Curious Arts activity and involvement.
There will also be a performance from Dear Sunderland by Unfolding Theatre and Royal Northern Sinfonia return for a Main Stage performance.
*Summer Streets, Cliffe Park, runs from 12pm-7.30pm on Saturday, July 4 and 12pm-6pm on Sunday, July 5. Free entry.