A packed programme of festive fun is underway at libraries in Sunderland in the run up to Christmas.
With fun for all the family, the events started at libraries in Houghton, Washington and Sunderland city centre on Saturday (30 November).
The majority of the events are free to attend, with a small number ticketed, and there is a range of sessions for both children and adults.
Cllr Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “Christmas is a very special time and I’m delighted that we’re able to deliver a programme of activity that will allow families across our city the opportunity to take part in some festive fun.”
Activity for children has begun at the Creative Smart City Hub @ Houghton with a Winter Trail, involving puzzle solving and taking selfies, with the chance to win a prize. On Saturday families were able to listen to festive songs with Ashleigh Lowes, cosy up for a Christmas story, get stuck into a wintery craft and even get their face painted.
This will be followed by a relaxed screening of Arthur Christmas on Saturday 7 December and on Monday 23 December Theatre Space North East will be bringing The Frog Prince by Jamie Brown to life with their vibrant brand of fairytale telling.
Adults could also enjoy themselves at the venue by taking part in a Christmassy craft, with a festive drink and a mince pie, on 30 November and on Saturday 7 December there will be a Wreath-making Workshop.
Across at the Creative Smart City Hub @ Washington, as well as its own Winter Trail, the family activity got underway with a relaxed screening of The Grinch at the weekend.
On Saturday 7 December there is the chance to be swept away by Hannah Graham Story Teller, as well as listen to seasonal songs and join in with a wintery craft. There will be an opportunity to enjoy Theatre Space North East’s telling of The Frog Prince by Jamie Brown on Thursday 12 December.
Adults can take part in a Wreath-making workshop on Monday 2 December and enjoy a Christmassy craft with a festive drink and a mince pie on Saturday 7 December.
At City Library @ Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens the activity is underway with Festive Colouring Fun, allowing little ones to get creative and design their own Christmas book cover.
And on Saturday 14 December families can listen to seasonal songs, join in with a wintery craft and even help design the biggest snow globe ever!
The programme is being delivered by Culture House Sunderland which will be a multi-purpose cultural venue based at the heart of Keel Square – opening in Autum 2025. The venue - The National Centre for Creative Smart Cities - will be home to the City Library, packed with dynamic, digitally powered, interactive and educating features, with a year-round programme of fun things to do and see.
The Christmas activity is just one part of the year-round activity for people of all ages being delivered by Culture House Sunderland at its Creative Smart City Hubs at Washington and Houghton Libraries.
More information about the events can be found at www.culturehousesunderland.co.uk/events