UNITY IN THECOMMUNITY
Opening Times
11:00 - 15:00
Entry Fee
No
Booking Required
No
Venue
Sunderland Minster
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.
Speaking about the event, organiser and Canon Provost of Sunderland Minster Revd Canon Clare MacLaren has said “Unity in Community is about exactly that! An opportunity for the wonderfully diverse communities of our city to come together and celebrate our creativity, our cultures and the variety of people who make Sunderland such a great place to be! It's wonderful to be partnering with Sunderland Music City this year for what's going to be a fabulous Weekender event!”
A key theme of the Weekender is the role of music as a powerful force in uniting communities. Music transcends language, culture and background; providing a shared experience that brings people together in celebration.
On Saturday 18th October, the historic Sunderland Minster will host an afternoon of craft activities, music and food in a unique and atmospheric setting.
The Event is completely free to attend, ensuring that everyone can be part of the festivities.
The Unity in the Community Weekender promises to be one of the highlights of Sunderland’s cultural calendar this autumn – a weekend not to be missed.
LATEST EVENTS
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SUNNISIDE GARDENS | 10 AM TO 3 PM
Join us for the final Art Festival of 2025!
Stages:
On The Square27 September 2025
A brand new music experience for Sunderland.
360° Stage. Full City Energy.
SUNNISIDE
FOOD MARKET27 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 venues27 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!
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.
RAF Town
Show3 October 2025
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…
Makers &
Bakers Market4 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 Market12 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!
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UNITY IN THE
COMMUNITY19 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 MARKET25 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.
Halloween
Basement Party1 November 2025
A night of dark disco, hellish house, and blood-curdling Balearic beats.
With a proper ghoulish DJ line-up too...