| Where: | Sunderland, Tyne & Wear at Roker Park and nearby Roker & Seaburn seafront |
| When: | Evenings throughout October and November (sometimes into December) |
| Time: | 4 pm to 9 pm for Illuminations and Festival of Light 5-9pm (2021 times) |
A recent revival means that the dark evenings are once again enlightened at Sunderland. The City Council organise the event and relaunched it in 2012, after the popular custom had taken a break since the 1990s. With a few gaps, the Illuminations have been a feature in town since the 1930s and the size of the crowds attracted to them is a testament to how popular they are with all ages. From 2019 the dating of the event shifted to late November into December but in 2021 has returned through October into November. There are illuminations along the seafront with tableaux and displays all around the park and easy access for all, as well as food outlets nearby.
Helpful Hints
In 2023 the Festival of Light returned from 12th October to 11th November on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (daily during the half term holiday) alongside the traditional illuminations at Roker and Seaburn along the front (which are on every day.)
The park & ride service didn’t operate in 2021 due to the reduced capacity for the event. In 2021 tickets were £3 for adults and must be booked in advance- follow this link to book: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/fol
Tickets for the event are usually available through the website link below.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunderland-Illuminations/472319662798520
Click here for the event website: https://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/
I would really like to go tonight
If you visit https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/fol you can book tickets in advance- though some dates are already sold out.
Best of luck!
Hi when will the tickets be out for this year as my children specially my youngest one loved it last year.
Hi Natasha,
I’ve just checked the website and it says tickets will be available soon but not exactly when- follow the link to https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/fol and keep checking. Calendarcustoms isn’t connected to the organisation or ticketing for the Illuminations so we haven’t got any inside information- hope you get sorted!
Best wishes,
Averil
I am planning a short holiday in Sunderland and would like to be there when
there are illuminations in town?
When is the best time end of November or first week in December?
I will be travelling from Sweden
Kind regards
Angela
Hi Angela- you must have missed the 2022 dates in the Helpful Hints part of the page- the illuminations end this year on 12th November so they won’t be on at the end of November or early December- sorry to disappoint. Hope that’s useful,
Best wishes,
Averil