New free three-day festival to take over Sunderland city centre
A new three-day festival is set to transform Sunderland city centre - and it’s free.
To celebrate Radio 1’s Big Weekend heading to Sunderland this May, the city is hosting a whole summer of events under the umbrella One Big Summer.
And it’s set to kick off in style from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24 with three days of creativity, culture and community.
As part of the event, Keel Square and High Street West will be transformed into a vibrant festival space celebrating local arts and music.
Taking place in tandem with Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the event will showcase Sunderland’s home‑grown talent and community spirit.
Created by the community, for the community, the weekend festival brings together music, dance, visual arts and hands on creative activities, offering something for residents of all ages to enjoy.
Across the weekend, visitors can expect a relaxed mix of live music, spoken word, dance and creative moments popping up throughout Keel Square and High Street West.
The programme will offer a blend of performances and activities that reflect the city’s diverse artistic scene, aimed at creating a welcoming space for people to explore, enjoy and spend time together.
Festival‑goers will also have the chance to get hands on with a variety of creative activities running across the three days.
From drop‑in workshops to interactive installations and family‑friendly experiences, there will be plenty of opportunities to try something new, get creative or simply enjoy the atmosphere. The full events programme will be announced soon.
As part of the wider One Big Summer programme, two major headline events have also been announced for Cliffe Park later in the year.
On Friday 14 August, Britpop favourites Embrace will take to the stage, followed on Saturday 15 August by Ocean Colour Scene.
These shows join a number of shows already announced for Keel Square across the summer, from K-Pop to country.
Peter McIntyre, Executive Director of Economy and Place at Sunderland City Council, said: “One Big Summer is all about bringing people together and celebrating the incredible creativity we have across Sunderland.
“Launching the programme with a free, three‑day event in Keel Square and High Street West, created by the community, for the community, sets the tone for an exciting season ahead. From live performances to hands on workshops, this celebration offers something for everyone and showcases the talent, energy and community spirit that make our city so special.”
Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority said: “We’re committed to creating opportunities for more people to experience the culture and creativity in the North East, and that’s why we’re delighted to support Sunderland with this vibrant and inclusive opening weekend of free activities.
“Events like this strengthen local pride, support artists and create opportunities for people of all ages to connect and take part. It will be a fantastic start to a brilliant weekend for the city.”