From the Coronation to Queen B, fun for all as city springs into life
Big screens showing the Coronation, a giant Easter egg trail in the city centre and the traditional Penshaw Bowl are all on the cards in the coming weeks as city leaders confirm spring events in Sunderland.
The first two Sunderland venues for big screens showing the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 have been confirmed – Hylton Castle and Keel Square – with others set to follow.
Other highlights include Disney's The Lion King at the Sunderland Empire, the annual Sunderland City Runs weekend, and Beyonce, returning to the Stadium of Light in May, followed in June by global pop icon Pink.
Councillor Linda Williams Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "As a vibrant city we pride ourselves on having something for everyone all year round.
"We've got a fantastic range of events to look forward to this Spring which we hope are going to appeal to residents and visitors alike.
"I know lots of people are really excited about the Lion King visiting Sunderland, not to mention pop icons Beyonce and Pink making return visits to the Stadium of Light.
"But I'm also excited about the Coronation screenings which we're hoping to screen in locations across the city including Hylton Castle and Keel Square, and Sunniside Food Market which has been such as hit that it's making return visits throughout the year, as well as traditional favourites like Penshaw Bowl and the Seaburn Classic Car show.
"So whether you're a family looking for free fun activities to take the kids to, a music or a theatre lover, a culture vulture, a foodie or a mixture of all of these, we've got something for you.
"We're committed to working with local businesses so that they can benefit too from us driving footfall to the city centre and key locations across Sunderland which in turn help to boost the local economy.
"The city council is also working really hard with its partners to deliver new and different events alongside the established family favourites that attract visitors to the city."
Sunderland Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) is working with the city council to bring an programme of family activities, including some free events, to he city centre this spring, including fringe events around the stadium concerts in May and June.
Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said: "Once again we have a packed programme of events in the city centre this spring, and this is just the start of the programme for the next 12 months.
"It’s so important for businesses that we encourage people to visit the city centre and enjoy everything that’s on offer, not only the events but the shopping, restaurants, bars and the many leisure attractions like the cinema and bowling."
Events to look forward to this Spring include:
:: The Lion King, Sunderland Empire, until May 6;
:: Free Circus Skills Workshop, April 1 and 13, Pop Recs Ltd, 170 High Street West, Sunderland, organised by Sunderland BID, must be pre-booked;
:: Free Springtime Fun Workshops, April 3, Hills
Art Centre, Sunderland, free face painting, Easter and Spring crafts, organised by Sunderland BID, must be pre-booked;
:: Free Fun and Frolics
Easter Party, April 6, Diego's Joint, Sunderland, free face painting, Spring and Easter crafts and the chance to meet and have your photo taken with Princess Belle;
:: Active Sunderland Easter festival including Penshaw Bowl, April 6, Herrington Country Park;
:: Easter Trail in the city centre with six giant 5ft eggs and augmented reality characters, April 1 to 16, city centre;
:: North East Autism Society Walk for Acceptance, April 14, Herrington Country Park, walk, roll or stroll one mile lap of the park in support of Autism Acceptance;
:: Sunniside Food Market, April 22, Sunniside, city centre;
:: Screening of King Charles Coronation at Hylton Castle and Keel Square, with other locations across the city to be confirmed,
May 6;
:: Sunderland Runs Weekend including the BIG 3k, May 7, city centre;
:: Celebrity Charity Football Match, May 8, Stadium of Light;
:: Greatest Hits of Motown, May 12, Sunderland Empire;
:: Anything for Love, May 13, Sunderland Empire;
:: Sunderland Story, May 17 to 27, Sunderland Empire;
:: Sunderland Strollers Pier to Pier Run, May 21, seven-mile run along the coastal paths from South Shields to Sunderland;
:: Beyonce, May 23, Stadium of Light;
:: Graceland with the London African Gospel Choir, May 27, The Fire Station;
:: Race for Life, May 28, Herrington Country Park, to raise valuable funds for lifesaving research;
:: Active Sunderland May half-term family fun, May 31, Ford Quarry Football Hub, lots of outdoor activities and games for all the family, free;
:: Adventure Cinema, June 2 to 4, Herrington Country Park, five blockbuster movies on a huge LED screen for all the family;
:: Seaburn Classic Car
Show, June 10 and 11, Recreation Park, Seaburn;
:: Pink concert, June 10 and 11, Stadium of Light;
:: Frankie Boyle, June 14, Sunderland Empire;
:: Walk Right Back, June 15, Sunderland Empire.
To find out more about the full range of events, visit www.mysunderland.co.uk/ events