We’ve rounded up 20 of the best gigs and events to put in your diaries.
17. Alan Carr, Sunderland Empire, October 23-24
Comedian Alan Carr has announced he will be heading to Sunderland as part of his first tour in four years. He’ll be taking to the stage at Sunderland Empire from October 23-24, 2020 when he’ll be musing on the things that make his life weird and wonderful. Photo: Submitted
18. Lights Out festival, October
After the success of the inaugural Lights Out Halloween festival in 2019, it's set to return in 2020. A joint initiative by Sunderland BID and Sunderland City Council, the festival included a packed programme of entertainment for all ages including a spooky parade involving hundreds of young people through the city centre. The event, which also included giant inflatable tentacles at Mackie’s Corner and above the Bridges’ car park, proved a massive attraction – and now the plan is to make it bigger and better for 2020, with more details announced closer to the time. Photo: Submitted
19. The Phantom of the Opera, Sunderland Empire, November 4 - December 5
Huge musical The Phantom of the Opera will play for a month-long run in the latest theatre coup for Sunderland Empire. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh show rarely tours, but the original production will be hitting the road for a UK and Ireland tour with a run on Wearside from Wednesday, November 4 until Saturday, December 5, 2020 – the only North East date on the tour. Photo: Submitted
20. Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Sunderland Empire, December 12 - January 3, 2021
Dates have already been released for this year's panto at Sunderland Empire, as well as some of the cast. This year's festive spectacular will be Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, from December 12, 2020 to January 3, 2021. After wowing the crowds in last year's panto, it's been announced that Miss Rory (Boulevard, aka Dan Cunningham) will star as Nurse Rorina and South Shields comic Tom Whalley will play Muddles the Jester. More cast members will be announced in the coming months. Tickets are on sale now from the Empire. Photo: Submitted