EVENTS

IN SUNDERLAND

NAFESE 2025 is the only UK National event to celebrate the ethos of service for the services from armed to emergency to volunteer.

The National Armed Forces and Emergency Services Event 2025 celebrates the ethos of service for the services from armed to emergency to volunteer.
The event consists of an Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (open to all attendees) with speakers, a Recruitment and Resettlement Zone, a STEM Village (located this year inside the Beacon of Light), a Trade Quarter for B2B dealings and a Regional Showcase Hub.
There is something for everyone on the day!
Come along and see over 60 exhibitors!

Artisan food and drink market, in conjunction with Local Heroes, will be held on the second Sunday of each month going forward. Visitors can wander around the many stalls and purchase from a range of local independent traders offering the very best produce, from crafted gifts to specialist breads and cakes, organic vegetables, charcuterie and more!

Starring Strictly Come Dancing's Joanne Clifton (Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family) as the fierce yet fabulous Velma van Tussle. Making her directorial debut is Hairspray royalty Brenda Edwards (Hairspray, We Will Rock You) who will bring new energy from behind the scenes. Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more. Hairspray is the hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all! Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination. This fun-filled show is bursting with show-stopping numbers and dizzying dance routines, come and join the beat because just to sit still would be a crime!

The Game of II Halves project aims to promote positive mental health messaging and destigmatise conversations around male mental health, suicide and self-harm. Through the recruitment of ambassadors, monthly engagement in workshops and positive engagement in this conference, increased awareness can help normalise healthy conversations around mental health issues and provide an outlet for those in distress.

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Pop-up community market supports new and emerging food and drinks businesses across the North East.

From brewers, bakers, and cheesemongers to world-class street food vendors, our north east food and drink traders are delighted to bring themselves to your doorstep.

Got an idea for a new business or want to know how you can make your existing business more successful? UK Startup & Scaleup Week is a 5-day, multi-venue, citywide festival that will inspire & educate you on how to start, grow & fund your business in Sunderland & the wider North East / North of England.

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Get ready for a weekend filled with delicious food and drink, family fun, live entertainment, music, and more!

Look out for more information coming soon...