Street PartyIn and Around Blandford Street
A day where the street becomes a space to swap, learn, create, repair, play, and connect!
SATURDAY8 AUGUST
Save the date…we are bringing a shared and accessible experience to Blandford Street
This year, Blandford Street will be transformed into a remade and reloved outdoor street party on the 8th of August.
A vibrant, family-friendly day celebrating: sustainability, creativity, practical skills and community connections. This isn’t a market or a large-scale festival, it’s a day where the street becomes a space to swap, learn, create, repair, play, and connect.
Find out what to expect below!
FIND OUT MORE
THINGS TO DO
The Blandford Street Party will showcase everything that makes In and Around Blandford Street unique, with a programme of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and hands-on experiences.
- Circurama Circus Skills: Test your balance, learn a new trick and discover your inner circus performer!
- Portraits with Hannah: Artist Hannah Graham will create a unique hand-drawn portrait for you to take home, giving you a one-of-a-kind keepsake from the Blandford Street Party.
- Bubbles with Victoria Watch Blandford Street come alive as beautiful bubbles dance, sparkle and drift along the street, bringing smiles to visitors of all ages.
- Face Painting with Hannah No street party outfit is complete without a splash of colour! Pop along to Harrison & Brown Furniture, where Hannah will be creating fantastic face paints, glitter designs and temporary tattoos to help you get into the party spirit.
- Stickers with Helen
Suitable for all ages and abilities between 10 am and 3 pm.
- Homeware Inspiration with Cagney: Looking for inspiration to transform your home without buying new? Join Cagney from Upstitch and Mend to discover creative ways to give homeware a whole new look. Explore examples of her own upcycled creations, learn simple decorative techniques and discover how a little creativity can turn forgotten pieces into something you’ll love all over again.
- Planting and Botanical Drawing with Elyse: Join artist Elyse Benjamin from Norfolk Street Arts CIC for a relaxed, plant-inspired drawing activity suitable for all ages and abilities, learn about plants and do a bit of community planting too. Drop in, get creative and produce your own botanical artwork, while helping us decorate Blandford Street’s planters with planting and stencilled designs alongside the session.
- Don’t Throw It Away… Repair It with Molly: Join Molly from Minerva Arts & Wellbeing and discover how artistic repairs can give treasured objects a beautiful new lease of life through Kintsugi, the centuries-old Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics and porcelain. Come along, learn about this fascinating technique and discover how a broken item can become one of the most beautiful pieces in your home.
- Decoupage with Su: Discover the art of decoupage with Su from the Art Cafe and pick up tips and tricks to transform everyday items into something beautiful. Have a go yourself and see how this simple technique can give household treasures a whole new lease of life.
- Rag Bunting with Jennie: Learn how to make your own rag bunting with the team from Let Your Soul Grow using recycled fabrics, you’ll learn a simple technique that turns unwanted textiles into bright, cheerful decorations.
- Bike Maintenance with Wear Wheels: Their bicycle maintenance team will be offering free support and bicycle repairs. Don’t ‘brake’ a sweat. Let Wear Wheels take care of all your bicycle needs.
- Paper Flowers & Twirlers with Hayley: Get creative with two fun, hands-on activities that transform everyday paper into something beautiful with Litter Bugs. Discover the traditional Japanese art of origami by creating a Kusudama flower. Fold recycled paper into delicate petals before bringing them together to form a stunning blossom. Easy to make and great fun to play with, they’re a simple reminder that creativity doesn’t have to cost the earth.
- What’s it Worth with Dom: Come and guess the value of pre-loved clothing, learn how to make extra money from your wardrobe, discover the benefits of buying second-hand over fast fashion, and pick up a few tips on caring for clothing and trainers to help them last longer with Dom from LVLUP Threads.
- Collaborative Collage and Mixed-Media Mural with Rory: Help artist Rory Williams from Try New Things CIC to create a colourful collaborative mural using collage and mixed-media techniques. Drop in at any point, contribute your own piece and watch the artwork grow throughout the day into a shared celebration of Blandford Street and its community.
- Wands and decorative accessories with Culture House Sunderland: Add a touch of magic to your day by creating your own magic wands using natural resources or fashion decorative items for the home. This simple and fun activity with Culture House Sunderland involves the use of twigs and wool to bring your creative ideas to life.
- Upstitch & Mend with Sophie: Sophie from Upstitch & Mend is passionate about helping people build confidence with sewing, tackle everyday repairs and breathe new life into clothing, furniture and homeware. Whether you’ve never touched a sewing machine or you’re looking for inspiration for your next upcycling project, stop by for a chat and find out how making, mending and meeting like-minded people can help keep good things going.
- Wildflower Paper-Making with Lydia: Lydia from Groundworks. Discover how this activity is a great example of reducing, reusing and recycling, plus learn how to follow these ‘3Rs’ in your everyday life through games and quizzes. All materials provided- just bring along your imagination and enthusiasm!
- Jam Jar Posies with Jennie: Create your own beautiful jam jar posy with the team from Let Your Soul Grow using seasonal flowers and foraged greenery to discover how an everyday jar can become a charming vase. Bring your own jam jar, or upcycle one of ours, and leave with something beautiful to brighten your home.
- Women’s Community Boutique: The Women’s Community Boutique will be in the Train Station sharing tips on how to style pre-loved fashion and prove that great outfits don’t have to come with a high price tag. They’ll also have a selection of clothing available, and if you find something you love that fits, it’s yours to take home! It’s a fantastic opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, pick up some styling inspiration and discover how pre-loved fashion can look and feel amazing.
- Book Signing with Glenda: You will find local author Glenda Young signing books between 11 am and 2 pm in the Glass Onion Bistro.
Along Blandford Street you will find fun, creative activities that shows just how easy upcycling can be!
11.00 | Sunderland Male Choir
12.00 | COMPANY Choir
13.00 | Sunderland Male Choir
13.45 | SING Choir
The Blandford Street Party is all about celebrating the incredible businesses that make this part of Sunderland so special. From long-established family businesses to independent specialists, the event shines a spotlight on the people In and Around Blandford Street who help keep skills, craftsmanship and sustainability alive every day.
British Heart Foundation
Children’s Society
FACT
North East Limited
Salvation Army
- Travel Sustainably: Anyone travelling to the event sustainably will be rewarded via the BetterPoints App – Not only will you be supporting local businesses, but you’ll also be helping the environment and boosting your health.
- Follow The Glass Onion Bistro for special party food and drink offers especially for Saturday 8 August.
- Musafarigrills will be bringing their super tasty Suya Roasties to the Street Party.
A part of your Street Party experience call into the Art, Craft & Graze Market at Sunderland Train Station.
Open from 9 am to 3 pm, you’ll discover a wonderful mix of local artists, makers and creative businesses, with everything from handmade gifts and original artwork to beautifully upcycled creations and one-of-a-kind finds.
It’s the perfect place to browse, support local talent and pick up something special before making your way to Blandford Street for a day of sustainability, creativity and community.
- Sunderland Train Station
- 9 am to 3 pm
- Free entry
This market happens on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
