RAF Town
Show

03 October 2025 - 05 October 2025

Opening Times

10:00-16:30 (Friday), 09:00-16:30 (Saturday and Sunday)

Entry Fee

No

Booking Required

No

Venue

Keel Square

Get ready, Sunderland! The RAF is landing in the heart of the city for an unmissable weekend of adventure, excitement, and hands-on activities for all ages. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or just looking for a fun family day out, we’ve got something for you!

Get ready for…

Aircraft Experience – Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a pilot? Step inside, take a photo, and see what it takes!
Test Your Skills – Get involved in RAF-inspired physical challenges and see how your speed, agility, and coordination measure up.
Survival Challenges – Dive into a fast-paced, hands-on challenges where your grit and quick thinking could make all the difference.
STEM and Youth Engagement – Explore exciting career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and maths with RAF experts.
Live Music and Performances – Enjoy fantastic performances from a RAF Band, as they fill the Town Show with energy and atmosphere.
Career Talks – Chat with Royal Air Force Recruitment professionals about careers and the application process.
Why you can't miss this

This is your chance to get up close and personal with the incredible world of the Royal Air Force. Chat with real servicemen and women, explore the diverse careers within the RAF, and take part in activities that will educate, inspire, and entertain.

So, rally your family, bring your friends, and experience an unforgettable weekend of excitement, adventure, and discovery. We’ll see you on Keel Square!

Worried about committing?

The purpose of this FREE event is to learn and discover with no commitment required. We will not pressure you and there is no obligation to apply because you have attended the event. The purpose of the event is to bring like-minded individuals together, to introduce you to what life in the Royal Air Force is like.

Please note that registering for the event and obtaining a ticket does not guarantee any benefits at the event itself, and a ticket is not necessary for entry.

LATEST EVENTS

    • Too Much
      Too Young

      26 September 2025

      Get ready for an electrifying night of music as Too Much Too Young™ – The Music of 2Tone & Beyond takes you on a high-energy, two-hour journey through the legendary sound that shaped a generation.

      This thrilling live experience explores the birth of ska in Jamaica and follows its explosive rise through the '70s and '80s British 2Tone revival. Celebrating the groundbreaking music and the iconic artists who made ska a global phenomenon, this show has been described as "a must-see for any ska fan", earning five-star reviews from critics and audiences alike.

    • SUNDERLAND
      Art Festival

      27 September 2025

      SUNNISIDE GARDENS | 10 AM TO 3 PM

      Join us for the final Art Festival of 2025!

    • Stages Festival Sunderland On The Square Keel

      Stages:
      On The Square

      27 September 2025

      A brand new music experience for Sunderland.

      360° Stage. Full City Energy.

    • SUNNISIDE
      FOOD MARKET

      27 September 2025


      The month food and art come together for the final Sunderland Art Festival.

      It means that on Saturday 27 September, when you visit the Local Heroes Food Market, visitors can enjoy a whole host of music, entertainment and creative opportunities, in addition to tucking into street food from some of the region’s top vendors.

    • Stages:
      At the venues

      27 September 2025

      DISTANT LISTENING

      SUNDERLAND, IT’S GOING DOWN.

      SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER WE’RE BRINGING A STACKED NIGHT OF NEXT-LEVEL SOUNDS TO POP RECS AND GUESS WHAT? FREE ENTRY.

      DOORS OPEN 7PM. NO TICKET. NO COST. JUST TURN UP.

      POP RECS, 29 STOCKTON ROAD, SUNDERLAND

      FREE VIBES. BIG ENERGY. BE THERE.

      SECRET PUBLIC HOUSE PARTY

      SAT 27TH SEPT | 11:30PM – 3AM

      THREE ROOMS. THREE TOP SUNDERLAND HOUSE PROMOTERS. ONE PROPER UNDERGROUND PARTY - DARK ROOMS, LOUD MUSIC, PURE VIBES.

      HAZE - PROCURO, STOOPS, JOE HOOD, JAKKSCAT, JAY MORLEY

      WARD10 - KEIRON, RYAN CUMISKEY

      KINETIC - KADHIM, E. MOVES, GOUX, NIALL CLEARY, SEIZMIC

      SECRET LOCATION ANNOUNCED ON THE DAY!

      BOOK

      MEXICO 70 LATES

      Join us on Saturday 27th September at Mexico 70 for a night of weirdo disco, dub, forgotten 80s, and electronica with Lee Foster and Forriner. Free entry, 2 cocktails for £14. 9PM till late.

    • Bridges Christmas Market

      Makers &
      Bakers Market

      4 October 2025

      A fantastic variety of handpicked artisan local gift shopping stalls located in the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland. 
      Stalls include handmade gifts, art, delicious homebakes, gourmet sweet treats, photography, keepsakes, pet accessories, pamper products and so much more! 

      Entry is free. 

    • Sheepfolds Stables

      Sheepfolds
      Stables Market

      12 October 2025

      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!

    • UNITY IN THE
      COMMUNITY

      18 October 2025

      Sunderland is set to come alive with dance, food, music and creativity as Unity in the Community Weekender takes place in the city on Saturday 18th.

      After the huge success of last year’s one-day Unity in the Community event in October 2024, organisers are bringing it back even bigger and better for 2025 – expanding into a full weekend of festivities.
      The two-day celebration, organised by VCAS, Sunderland Minster and Sunderland Music City, will showcase the rich diversity of cultures and communities that call Sunderland home. It’ll be a packed programme of live music, dance performances, arts and crafts, and food for people of all ages to enjoy.

    • UNITY IN THE
      COMMUNITY

      19 October 2025

      Sunderland is set to come alive with dance, food, music and creativity as Unity in the Community Weekender takes place in the city on Sunday 19th October.
      After the huge success of last year’s one-day Unity in the Community event in October 2024, organisers are bringing it back even bigger and better for 2025 – expanding into a full weekend of festivities.

    • SUNNISIDE
      FOOD MARKET

      25 October 2025

      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.