What's On in Sunderland & Durham

SATURDAY ART CLUB

Time: Sat 1-3pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/saturday-art-club

This Saturday Art Club is suitable for children aged 8+ with an interest in art who would like to develop their skills further. Often taking inspiration from exhibitions & artists working within the arts...

WASHINGTON YOUTH THEATRE

Time: Sat 10am - 12pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/washington-youth-theatre-ages-8-12/

Build life-long skills in performance & confidence while making new friends! Join these weekly sessions for 8- to 12-year-olds. Develop theatre skills like presentation, improvisation & cooperation, while...

GREGGS TA-PASTRY

Venue: Great North Museum

Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT

Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

This eight-metre-long embroidery chronicles the conquest of the British high street by Greggs' most treasured (& tasty) artefacts, inviting you to look closer at the legacy that lives behind your everyday...

THE MACKEM MARKET

Time: 10am-2pm

Venue: Sunderland Train Station,

Address: SR1 3HP

Discover a vibrant new market featuring the finest local market stalls, unique goods, live paintings by local artists, & performances by Sunderland's most promising musicians every Friday from 10am-2pm.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Venue: Sunderland Empire

Address: SR1 3EX

Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.

Set in a northern town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, the show follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that will change his life...

OUTDOOR ICE SKATING

Venue: Life Science Centre

Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP

Website: www.life.org.uk

Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of Newcastle’s festive calendar & reopens from Saturday 7 November 2026. Skating sessions last approximately one hour (includes time to fit skates, so...

RED ROBIN'S WINTER SONG

Time: 2pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

Step into a twinkling, snow-dusted world with Red Robin’s Winter Song – a gentle & joy-filled winter play perfect for young children & their families. A small but brave Red Robin chooses to stay...

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON

Time: 6-8pm

Venue: Keel Square,

Address: Sunderland, SR1 3LH

Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/article/41481/Christmas-Light-Switch-On

Christmas in Sunderland starts here. Pop along to Keel Square for the annual Christmas Light Switch on. More details online.

RAPUNZEL

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their...

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Venue: Empire Theatre Consett

Address: DH8 5AB

Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/

Leah Bell & company return with a tale as old as pantomime – Beauty & the Beast. When the selfish Prince Rafael is transformed into a hideous Beast, only his most loyal staff stand by him. The prince...

THE SNOWMAN (with Live Orchestra)

Time: 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 7pm

Venue: Durham Cathedral

Address: The College, DH1 3EH

Website: www.carrotproductions.com

Make Christmas unforgettable with a screening of the much-loved The Snowman on the big screen at Durham Cathedral, with its soundtrack performed live by an orchestra. Presented by Carrot Productions, this...

THE ELVES & THE SHOEMAKER

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

Step into The Gala's sole-ful festive production that’s the perfect fit for families! Suzie Shoes runs a shoe shop, but she has a problem…she’s just not very good at making shoes. In need of help...

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN: THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN HOOK

Venue: Sunderland Empire

Address: SR1 3EX

Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.

Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook... or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas & is out for revenge. Could it be...

THE LITTLEST ELF

Time: 10.30am & 1pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

Pip is a tiny elf with big dreams. Slower than the other elves & never quite perfect, she dreams of seeing a toy she has made delivered on Christmas Day. Set in Santa’s workshop, this magical show combines...

THE JINGLE GENERATOR JAM SHOW

Time: 11am & 2pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

It’s a Christmas emergency at the North Pole! Somehow, the Jingle Generator has jammed, & Christmas spirit is fading fast! Santa’s right-hand elves, mischievous Tinsel Tally & stoney Agent Frostbite are...

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

It’s Christmas Eve, & the miserly misanthrope, Ebenezer Scrooge, is about to have a ghostly night he’ll never forget. An evening of mistletoe & merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, & Cratchit...

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Venue: Empire Theatre Consett

Address: DH8 5AB

Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/

Enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas where young ones can receive a present & enjoy a light breakfast of toast & pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults will also be provided with light breakfast...