The biggest celebration of Christmas in Sunderland: first look at Winter Wonderland at Rainton Arena

The Winter Wonderland at Rainton Arena is the biggest event to be staged at the venue in Houghton so far and is the brainchild of new owner Jay Johal.

A businessman who’s had success in the storage unit sector, Jay has ambitions plans for the landmark site and says the Winter Wonderland, the largest celebration of the festivities on one site in the city this year, is part of his plan to make the 2,000 capacity venue reach its potential.

The car park of the arena has been taken over for the duration of the wonderland, which runs from today, November 29, until December 23, and features live reindeer, a large grotto, Christmas retail area, stalls selling churros, waffles and more, an Alpine village and tipi bar, fairground rides, a local crafts marquee and a large open air ice rink.

Although a generator failure meant the ice rink was unable to operate on the first day, it’s due to open tomorrow and is set to be a highlight of the festival, which will be opened officially tonight with a performance by S Club.

Many of the traders have chosen this event over their usual pitch at Newcastle’s city centre Christmas market and Jay says he hopes it will help attract more people to the site.

“I have two children and a lot of the Christmas events in the region are over-priced for what they are, so I decided to do something myself,” he said.

“Entry to the festival is free, the only elements that have to be paid for are the ice rink and the grotto. Even the grotto I’ve tried to make more of an experience. You don’t pay for one photo, you pay for entry and then you get four good photo opportunities as you walk around past the igloo, the elves in the workshop and the snow globe before you meet Santa.”

As well as bringing bigger names to the arena, such as a huge ‘90s dance night with N-Trance, Dave Pearce and more and an ‘80s singalong with Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, future plans also include a summer festival.