Plan ahead

Good times are on the horizon, and there’s plenty coming to the city in the coming months. Here are some key dates for the 2021 diary...

Seaburn to welcome ‘The Shelter’!

Summer 2021

There's a new food spot coming to Seaburn Tram Shelter! The masterminds behind Mexico 70 and Holmeside Coffee have confirmed that they will be opening a new food and drink spot. Mr Wall and Neil Bassett are finalising their plans to open a high-end seafood restaurant, The Shelter, right on our stunning Seaburn seafront! Stay tuned on our website and social channels for more information and announcement in the coming weeks and months.

Kubix Festival

2-3 July

Live music will return to the city once again, and our friends at Kubix Festival have a mega weekend of world-class tunes ready and waiting for us this summer. Whistling into Herrington Country Park this July, the Friday lineup is a cool celebration of the finest names in dance pop, so expect to see the likes of the Vengaboys, 2 Unlimited, N-Trance, East 17 and Ultra Naté. Lovers of rock, indie, punk (and more) are well catered for too, as the bill on Saturday features a raft of legends such as the Levellers, Stiff Little Fingers, New Model Army, Cast, Futureheads, The Selecter, Sleeper, The Farm, The Wedding Present, Wilko Johnson and Primitives.

KUBIXFESTIVAL.COM

Lamplight Festival

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for Lamplight festival in August for your chance to see Deacon Blue, Kaiser Chiefs, Frankie & the Heartstrings, and many more.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE VIA THE LINK HERE - YOU’D BE A FOOL TO MISS OUT! LAMPLIGHTFESTIVAL.CO.UK/

Antony Gormley: Field for the British Isles

July - September 2021

A major installation by Sir Antony Gormley, one of the UK’s most celebrated artists, is heading to Sunderland! Field for the British Isles by Sir Antony Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, will be on display at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) at National Glass Centre from July until September this year. Winner of the 1994 Turner Prize, this stunning exhibition features over 40,000 clay figures, all of individual appearance and form. Antony Gormley is renowned for his distinctive representations of the human form and this captivating exhibition is widely considered one of his finest. This monumental installation was last seen in the region 25 years ago when it was on display at the former Greenesfield British Rail Works in Gateshead. More than 25,000 people flocked to the exhibition and it went down a treat across the North East back in 1996, so you don’t want to miss the chance to see this bobby dazzler when it returns to town!

The Natural World – an exhibition of stitched textiles

11 June - 10 July

You may have become a pro artists and textile guru yourself during lockdown, but there’s nothing quite like roaming around a gallery and gazing at some outstanding pieces from some pretty talented folk! We’re pleased to learn that The North East Region of the Embroiderers’ Guild will be presenting ‘The Natural World’, an exhibition of stitched textiles at the Arts Centre Washington this summer. Using the theme of the ‘Natural World’, members from the 10 branches across the region have completed pieces of work that reflect their interpretation of the environment, and boy you’re all in for a treat! The work reflects both traditional and modern styles of embroidery inspired by diverse experiences of the ever-changing world (you can say that again!), and this dazzling exhibition promises to delight and inspire in equal measure.

ARTSCENTREWASHINGTON.CO.UK

HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series

20 - 21 November

Our chums at Sunderland City Council have confirmed that the city will again play host to elite level cycling in 2021. Subject to the COVID regulations at the time, Sunderland will welcome elite cyclists as they whistle around Herrington Country Park as the HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series zooms into the city. What exactly is the HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross? Well, it’s a short, sharp, off-road race with skinny tyres, mud, hurdles, obstacles and intense action. Races take place in age group categories across the weekend, culminating in elite level races in both male and female categories. In essence; high-octane drama on two wheels! The finer details are all being ironed out as we speak, so keep your eyes peeled for more information as it comes…