Summer at the stadium

A blistering programme of world-class music arrives in Sunderland!

The Stadium of Light will be packed out next summer, as the sounds of a Grammyaward winning artist and rock ‘n’ roll pop icon arrive in Sunderland for a scintillating summer at the stadium. Sunderland Vibe brings you the lowdown on what’s shaping up to be a jam-packed summer of music in 2022… SAFC and city partners have announced that a dazzling celebration featuring some of the biggest global stars will be heading to the Stadium of Light for an exceptional music programme, sublime sing-along moments and a raft of city centre activities. Whether you’re an Ed Sheeran superfan or looking forward to hearing your favourite song by Elton John, a summer spent with loved ones, vibing away to sublime sounds and sipping on cold brews, the Stadium of Light is where you want to be!

Elton John brings his awardwinning Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour to Wearside!

19 June 2022

One of the biggest names in music history, Elton John, will be bringing his awardwinning Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour to the Stadium of Light on 19 June 2022! One of the topselling solo artists of all time with one diamond, 40 platinum/multi-platinum and 23 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits and more than 300 million records sold worldwide, Elton John is undoubtedly one of the globe’s biggest stars. His critically acclaimed show is a dazzling affair that takes the audience on a magical journey through Elton’s incredible 50-year career with never-before-seen photos and videos all set to the tune of some of Elton’s most beloved songs from his legendary catalogue. Featuring iconic tracks such as Bennie and the Jets, Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer and Candle in the Wind. Tickets are on sale now price from £129 per person - make sure you pop Elton’s unmissable date in the diary and book your tickets this Christmas before they sell out!

Ed Sheeran announces three exclusive shows in Sunderland!

2, 3 & 4 June 2022

In what’s certain to be one of the biggest gigs in Sunderland’s history, the Stadium of Light will welcome the chart-breaking sounds of Ed Sheeran to the city when he arrives on Wearside to celebrate his Mathematics Tour! Undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest artists, Ed Sheeran will play the Stadium of Light on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June – a Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! The ‘+ - = ÷ x Tour’ will see Ed return to stadiums for the first time since his record-breaking ‘Divide Tour’, which officially became the most-attended and highest-grossing tour ever by the time of its completion! Belting out brand new tracks such as Shivers and colossal comeback track, Bad Habits, Ed’s exclusive Sunderland shows will also feature a new production set-up with staging surrounded by the crowd in each corner of the stadium. A quintessential pop icon who boasts a back catalogue of chart-busting powerhouse tracks, be sure to bag tickets for Ed’s date in Sunderland as Christmas rolls around…

You can find details, book tickets, and browse ticket options on SAFC’s website which houses all the goings-on across the whole summer in one place! safc.com/concerts

Exploring Bridges’ winter emporium

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Sunderland Vibe nipped into the city to bring you the latest with all the festive affairs going on in the Bridges…

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING HOURS

Left it late once again? Worry not - the Bridges has all your festive shopping needs covered with their late-night shopping hours! Peruse over 80 amazing high-street retailers safe in the knowledge that the centre is alive with the sound of festive deals until 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays from 13 December, and there’s also earlier opening and closing times for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve - meaning you’ve got plenty of time to gather those all-important, showstopping gifts for your loved ones! What’s more? The Bridges have also announced that their car parks will be free during all late nights! Get in!

FROM 13 DECEMBER

MONDAY - SATURDAY

9:00AM - 7:00PM

(CLOSING AT 8PM ON THURSDAYS) SUNDAYS

11:00AM - 5:00PM

For more information and a full list of opening times, kids events and parking information taking place at the Bridges this Christmas, visit

THEBRIDGES-SHOPPING.COM

Festive affairs

THE REINDEER DASH RETURNS! 5 December

Spread festive cheer for Sunderland charities this Christmas as The Reindeer Dash zooms into the Bridges shopping centre this December! Brought to you by Sunderland BID, Red Sky Ball and the Bridges, this magical fun-run encourages little ones to don antlers, polish those red noses and whistle around the mall! Little prancers will also be invited to Santa’s enchanting Grotto for free, so make sure you have those allimportant wish lists ready as it’s your exclusive opportunity to let the big man know what you’re expecting come December 25th! For all the information you need, head over to the Bridges website!

SETTLE IN AT SANTA'S GROTTO Until 24 December

Head over to the Bridges for a magical Christmas experience! Back with a bang for 2021, Santa’s Grotto will run throughout the festive period right up until Christmas Eve. So, what are you waiting for? With entrance at £2, round up your loved ones, head into the city centre and get into the festive spirit for a guest appearance from Father Christmas and watch on as little one’s eyes light up with joy as they meet the man himself and receive a gift at the end.

QUIET SHOPPING HOURS

A fantastic initiative from our friends at the Bridges and one that encapsulates the community spirit of this fantastic shopping centre perfectly. The first hour on Sundays means simple steps to create a more autism and additional needsfriendly experience, such as turning down music and dimming bright lights - ensuring all shoppers can enjoy the centre’s fantastic offering. It’s an hour of retail for anyone who needs a more relaxed approach to bagging your Christmas buys, with super-friendly staff on hand to help ensure it's a safe and friendly environment for all.

Get involved with The Bridges gift card!

Now that Christmas is here, the Bridges are inviting us all to give the gift of gifts with the Bridges Gift Card, which can be used in over 70 of your favourite brands in the centre! Whether you’re buying for an awkward uncle, need to nail secret Santa at work or you’re a great boss gifting Christmas incentives, this nifty offering means choosing the perfect gift has never been easier. How do I get my hands on the Bridges Gift Card we hear you ask? Simple! Head into the centre, pop over to the customer service desk or order your gift card online or via their click and collect service, with the amount of your choice, starting from £5 to £1000. The possibilities are endless!

WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE BRIDGES GIFT CARD

Available from £5.00-£500.00 Get yours today from the Customer Service Desk or online at thebridges-shopping.com

Christmas is calling!

From a breathtaking tipi-style ice-rink, the return of Santa’s Grotto and a sensational range of independent food and drink vendors, check out our guide to a cracking Christmas in Sunderland!

It’s time to get your skates on and have the best Christmas ever! And that’s just one of many reasons to head into Sunderland this winter. All the stops have been pulled out to make sure that there are plenty of festive activities lined up in the city centre this year! Sunderland BID and Sunderland City Council have taken on the roles of Santa’s little helpers and put together a programme guaranteed to make everyone feel full of festive cheer. And that includes a funfair, food and drink stalls at the former Crowtree site, the return of Santa’s grotto to the Bridges and the welcoming sight of the ever-popular ice rink. We’re all making up for lost time this year so why not make your seasonal shopping much more of an occasion? The city has seen numerous bars and restaurants open in recent times, so this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a pit stop in between buying those gifts! At the centre of all of the activities, under a canopy of twinkling lights which will also serve to protect everyone from the elements, is the ever-popular ice rink! Right through to 3 January, Sunderland Ice Rink is providing families across the region with a great opportunity for family and friends or work colleagues to have a day – or night – out with a difference! To make the experience even more exciting, there will be a number of skating sessions with themed characters and there's unique sessisons to ensure youngsters with special educational needs can enjoy the festivities. Skating can be thirsty work, which is why on certain dates there will be a number of pop-up food and drinks stalls also taking up residence by the rink! Dessert masters, Sweet Petite, will be among those selling delicious items on 4, 11 and 18 December, so make sure you’re in the city to get your mitts on their incredible dishes!

Businesses or groups wanting to hire the ice rink for their own private event can also do that by emailing

christmas@sunderlandbid.co.uk

or calling 0191 722 1002.

It’s a fantastic way to reward staff or entertain clients - or just get a group together for some fun!

DATES, TIMES AND PRICES FOR SUNDERLAND ICE RINK!

UNTIL 17 DECEMBER

Monday - Friday: 12pm – 9pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am – 9pm

18 DECEMBER – 3 JANUARY

Monday - Sunday: 10am – 9pm Christmas Eve: 10am – 6pm Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £8 for children aged five to 17 and £3 for anyone aged four or younger. A family ticket – for two adults and two children- costs £28.

TO BOOK TICKETS VISIT WWW.SUNDERLANDICERINK. CO.UK AND TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN SUNDERLAND THIS CHRISTMAS VISIT MYSUNDERLAND.CO.UK/ CHRISTMAS