Christmas in Sunderland 2026: Lights, Panto, Markets and New Year

Christmas in Sunderland runs from mid-November to New Year's Eve, with the main events spread between the city centre, the seafront at Roker and Seaburn, and Washington. This guide gathers what organisers have confirmed for 2026 so far: the lights switch-on, markets, panto, Santa visits, trees, Christmas Day dining and the New Year's Eve fireworks on Keel Square. Where a date or price has not yet been published, we say so. Check the organiser before you travel.

The lights switch-on

Sunderland's Christmas lights switch-on is on Keel Square on Thursday 19 November 2026, according to Sunderland BID. Timings and the line-up have not been announced yet. Our lights switch-on guide covers getting there and where to eat nearby.

Christmas markets and fairs

Sunderland's markets are mostly one-day events, held at different venues through November and December. The Riverside Sunderland Christmas Market is on 12 November across City Hall, The Beam and the Maker Building. The North East BIC Christmas Fair is on 25 November. STACK Seaburn holds a ticketed Night Market on 2 December, and there is a Makers and Bakers Market at The Bridges on 5 December. The full details are in our Christmas markets guide.

Panto and Christmas shows

The 2026 pantomime at Sunderland Empire is The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook. It runs from 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Bradley Riches plays Peter Pan, Miss Rory plays Captain Rorina Hook and Tom Whalley plays Smee. Before the panto, the touring musical Legally Blonde, starring Amber Davies, plays the Empire from 1 to 5 December.

The Fire Station on High Street West has a busy December. Highlights include:

• the Royal Northern Sinfonia winter tour on 29 November
• Toyah's Christmas Party on 5 December
• Step Into Christmas on 10 December
• Sing With Santa sessions for families on Sunday 13 December

The venue also marks its fifth birthday with gigs on 8 and 9 December.

In Washington, Arts Centre Washington has a full festive programme. It includes a Christmas Cabaret on 3 December, The Littlest Elf for young children on 11 December, and A Christmas Carol on 16 and 17 December. A Muppet Christmas Carol screening follows on 19 December.

Best for: Book the Empire panto early for weekend and school-holiday performances, which sell first.

Meeting Santa

Santa's Grotto at The Bridges runs from 22 November to 24 December 2026. Check The Bridges for 2026 times and prices.

The Roker Hotel, home of the 1842 Cafe and Bistro, holds Lunch with Santa on Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 December.

Further afield, Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, runs its Christmas season daily from 21 November to 24 December 2026, from 10am to 4pm. Father Christmas' Grotto at Rowley Station costs extra. Christmas Evenings run on selected December dates, and some are already sold out.

Best for: The Bridges grotto suits a short visit combined with shopping. Beamish is a full day out.

Christmas trees and decorations

Clay's Garden Centre on Peel Retail Park in Washington sells real and artificial Christmas trees for 2026, along with decorations and festive trimmings. Note that it closes from 24 December and reopens on 2 January. At The Bridges, the seasonal World of Christmas shop has returned for 2026, selling decorations.

After Christmas, the children's charity Grace House North East collects real trees from homes in early January 2027. Collections run on 5, 6, 7 and 9 January, for a £20 donation per tree, and cover postcodes including SR1 to SR8, NE37, NE38, DH4 and DH5. The trees go to Bill Quay Farm in Gateshead. Places are limited, so book through Grace House. For council garden-waste and tree recycling dates, check Sunderland City Council's website in late December.

Christmas Day dining

The Roker Hotel is taking bookings for Christmas Day 2026. Its Family Carvery in the Ballroom costs £84.95 per adult and £49.95 per child, with sittings from 12pm to 2pm, and there are separate Christmas Day sittings in the 1842 restaurant. A £20 per person deposit is taken at booking. Many other restaurants publish Christmas Day menus in November, so see our best restaurants in Sunderland guide and book early.

Work Christmas parties

STACK Seaburn, the Grand Hotel and the Roker Hotel all have published party nights for 2026. Our corporate Christmas party venues guide compares prices, dates and deposits.

New Year's Eve

Sunderland's New Year's Eve celebration is on Keel Square on Thursday 31 December 2026. It is a free event with no booking. The afternoon brings family entertainment, fairground rides and traders. A family fireworks display follows at 6.30pm, then DJ sets through the evening, including a headline set from Gok Wan, and a second fireworks display at midnight.

STACK Seaburn hosts Ibiza in Symphony on New Year's Eve, and the Roker Hotel holds a New Year's Eve Ball in its Ballroom. Both are ticketed.

Best for: The 6.30pm fireworks suit families with young children who will not make it to midnight.

Getting around over Christmas

Metro and bus services run reduced timetables over Christmas and New Year, and there is usually no public transport on Christmas Day. Check Nexus and Go North East before you travel. Our guides to parking in Sunderland and getting around without a car cover the basics. For year-round ideas, see things to do in Sunderland.

Know of a Christmas event we have missed? Get in touch.