43 things to do in Sunderland this weekend

Here's the thing about Sunderland this time of year: October weekends fill up fast, and this one (Oct 02–Oct 04) is no exception. 43 events made the calendar, so we read through every one and kept the five worth your time.

31 venues are hosting something this weekend, which tells you everything about how busy Sunderland gets when October rolls around. Most events are ticketed. Details below.

If you only do one thing this weekend, scroll to our top picks — they're the five we'd genuinely clear our schedules for.

The full lineup

Every event on in Sunderland this weekend, day by day:

Friday — 12 events

• — Amble
  O2 City Hall Newcastle
• — Baltic Cinema: Cladach + The Winds of Fogo Island
  BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
• — DJ EZ
  NX
• — Independence Day & New Intake Welcome Party
  De’XCape Lounge
• — Kevin Bridges: Here If You Need Me
  Utilita Arena Newcastle
• — Metallica by Damaged Inc + guests
  The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees
• — Samuel More - A Solo Flamenco Guitar Concert
  Cluny 2
• — Start with Survivors
  One Strawberry Lane
• — Susan Calman : Tall Tales
  Sunderland Empire
• — Take That vs. Robbie
  The Fire Station
• — The Janzen Boys Live at The Common Room in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  The Common Room
• — Zion Train
  The Cluny

Saturday — 20 events

• — AHOY THERE, ME OLD MUCKERS!” – AN AFTERNOON WITH MARINERS AND MARRAS
  NE30 1JE
• — Bad Co Legacy
  The Cluny
• — Closing Celebration Event
  the bound
• — Driven by Wellness: YANA Active x Aston Martin Newcastle
  Jesmond Dene House
• — Echo and Earth Sound Bath
  St John's Methodist Church
• — Gallus
  The Cluny 2
• — HED PE / COLD
  Anarchy Brew Co
• — Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble
  Newcastle Cathedral
• — Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Rob Deering & Roger Monkhouse
  The Forum Music Centre
• — KNOWTFEST NEWCASTLE
  Newcastle University Student Union
• — Madra Salach
  The Grove, Newcastle
• — Newcastle Red Bulls v Leicester Tigers
  Kingston Park
• — North East Indie Book Fest 2026
  Field & Fodder
• — Rachel Fairburn: Vexy Beasts
  ARC Stockton Arts Centre
• — Second Speed: Black Traffic & Veseli
  NX
• — The Hu
  O2 City Hall Newcastle
• — The Rock Anthems Show
  The Fire Station
• — Thomas Green - Brainstorm
  The Stand Comedy Club - Newcastle
• — Urban Explorers: Dunston Staiths
  The Staiths Cafe
• — Westlife 25 - The Anniversary World Tour
  Utilita Arena Newcastle

Sunday — 11 events

• — A Different Thread + Driven Serious
  Cluny 2
• — Alison Moyet
  Stockton Globe
• — Don Broco
  O2 City Hall Newcastle
• — Eastside present Cinder Well
  The Cluny
• — Kane Brown - Crowd Work King
  The Stand Comedy Club - Newcastle
• — NUJO Jazz Jam
  Cobalt Studios
• — SONGWRITER CIRCLE FEATURE
  The Engine Room
• — The Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust — Variety Show 2026
  The Fire Station
• — Westlife - Venue Premium Tickets
  Utilita Arena Newcastle
• — Westlife 25 - The Anniversary World Tour
  Utilita Arena Newcastle
• — grate cheese fest
  Summerhill Bowling Club

See the full weekend calendar →
All upcoming events in Sunderland →