Sunderland Empire

About Sunderland Empire

The Sunderland Empire opened on 1 July 1907 as the Empire Palace, with the music hall star Vesta Tilley performing the opening, and it remains one of the largest theatres in the North East, with around 1,860 seats. The Grade II* listed building, with its domed corner tower, stands on High Street West at the edge of the city centre, a short walk from Sunderland station and Park Lane Interchange.

Today the theatre is operated by Ambassador Theatre Group on behalf of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust, and its programme is built around West End touring musicals, drama, comedy, concerts and the family pantomime each winter. Tickets are sold through ATG's website, and the box office opens 90 minutes before each performance on show days. Its history includes Tommy Steele's stage debut and early touring dates by The Beatles, and it is often the first stop on visits to Sunderland's city-centre culture quarter, alongside the Fire Station and Culture House nearby.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Sunderland Empire.

Sunderland's Music Scene: Bands, Venues and Where to See a Gig

The Futureheads, Field Music, Frankie & The Heartstrings and Kenickie, plus Pop Recs, The Bunker, Independent, the Fire Station and the Stadium of Light: a guide to live music in Sunderland.

The History of the Sunderland Empire Theatre

From Vesta Tilley's opening night in 1907 to Tommy Steele, the Beatles, Sid James and today's touring musicals: the story of the Sunderland Empire on High Street West.

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

Christmas in Sunderland for 2026: the Keel Square lights switch-on, markets, the Empire panto, Santa visits, trees, Christmas Day dining and New Year's Eve fireworks.

Sunderland Christmas Lights Switch-On 2026

Sunderland's Christmas lights switch-on is on Keel Square on Thursday 19 November 2026. What is confirmed so far, how to get there and where to eat nearby.

18 Interesting Facts About Sunderland

Eighteen checked facts about Sunderland, from Bede and a 7th-century glass workshop to the push-bar door, the Wearmouth Bridge, Roker lighthouse and the Stadium of Light.

A History of Sunderland's High Street: From the East End to Fawcett Street

How Sunderland's shopping streets grew from the old East End along High Street to Fawcett Street, with the stories of Binns, Joplings, the trams, the Empire and the city centre's recent changes.

Sunderland on Screen: Film, TV and the Places Behind Them

Sunderland 'Til I Die, Premier Passions, the Empire premiere, Penshaw on television and the new Crown Works Studios: the city's screen story and the places you can visit.

A Weekend in Sunderland: A 48-Hour Itinerary

A two-day plan for Sunderland: St Peter's and the riverside, Roker Pier and the seafront, a night on High Street West, then Penshaw, Washington Old Hall and Mowbray Park.

Date Night in Sunderland

Ideas for a date night in Sunderland, from a show at the Empire or The Fire Station to dinner in Sunniside, cocktails on Keel Square and an evening by the sea at Roker.

Rainy Day Ideas for Families in Sunderland

Indoor things to do with children in Sunderland when it rains: Culture House, swimming, soft play, trampolining, the cinema, a pantomime at the Empire and smaller museums.

Where to Park in Sunderland

Multi-storeys, surface car parks, the seafront and park and ride at St Peter's: a practical guide to where to park in Sunderland city centre and on the coast.

Things to Do in Sunderland: The Complete Guide

From Roker Pier and the Seaburn sands to the Empire, Culture House, Penshaw Monument and St Peter's Church, a practical guide to things to do in Sunderland.