Families from across Sunderland are being invited to enjoy a day of outdoor fun, fitness and community spirit as Garden Games comes to Sunniside Gardens on Saturday 5 September 2026.
Running from 10am to 5pm, the free one-day event has been created to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get active together through a wide range of accessible activities, games and fitness challenges.
Hosted in the heart of the city centre, Garden Games will transform Sunniside Gardens into a vibrant activity hub featuring giant garden games, interactive workout stations provided by Everyone Active, and the popular Sunderland Climbing Wall, offering visitors the chance to try something new in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
This day is completely free, thanks to funding and other in-kind support from organisations including Active Sunderland, Everyone Active, Media Savvy CIC and Diego’s Joint CIC.
A selection of food and drink vendors will also be on site throughout the day, creating a family-friendly festival atmosphere.
Urban Hybrid Makes Sunderland Debut
The headline attraction is the launch of the Urban Hybrid Pilot Event, a brand-new fitness challenge inspired by the rapidly growing global fitness phenomenon Hyrox.
Designed to be inclusive and accessible, Urban Hybrid sees participants take part in pairs, completing a series of activity stations while running (or walking) laps around the Sunniside area in a "You Go, I Go" format.
The exciting news is this year the Urban Hybrid is completely free, giving local residents the opportunity to experience this exciting challenge right on their doorstep at no cost.
Organisers are keen to attract a broad mix of participants, including people who may never have taken part in a fitness competition before.
Participants must be aged 16 or over to take part in Urban Hybrid, and advance registration is required due to limited places. If you are interested, please register by visiting: https://urbanhybrid.uk/
Activities within the challenge include skiing, rowing, cycling, wall ball exercises and bodyweight fitness stations, with all challenges designed to be scalable for different experience and fitness levels. N.B. Examples of the exercises can be seen on the website.
Bringing Fitness and Fun Together
The event has been developed to encourage healthier lifestyles while demonstrating that physical activity can be social, enjoyable and accessible to everyone.
Organisers hope Garden Games will become an annual fixture in Sunderland's events calendar and are encouraging residents to come along, take part and provide feedback to help shape future editions.
Event organiser, Dan Makaveli said:
"Garden Games is all about bringing people together through fun, movement and community. Having operated businesses in the Sunniside area since 2018, we've seen first-hand what a fantastic space Sunniside Gardens is and how much potential it has to bring people together. It's a real gem in the heart of the city, yet many Sunderland residents still don't realise it's there.
That's why we felt it was the perfect location for Garden Games. Whether you're looking to try a new workout, challenge yourself in Urban Hybrid, spend quality time with family, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, there's something for everyone. We're excited to showcase both this incredible community space and a new event that we hope will become a fixture in Sunderland's calendar for years to come."
Area Contract Manage for Everyone Active, Ian Bradgate added:
“Everyone Active is delighted to be supporting the first Garden Games, incorporating the exciting new Urban Hybrid event, taking place this September at Sunniside Gardens.
This fantastic new event brings together fitness, fun and family-friendly activities in the heart of the community, making the most of the incredible outdoor space Sunnyside Gardens has to offer. We’re thrilled to be part of what promises to be a brilliant day and hope to see lots of local people coming along, getting involved and discovering just how enjoyable being active can be.”
Event Information
Garden Games: Urban Fitness Meets Outdoor Play
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland
Cost: Free to attend
Urban Hybrid Challenge
● Free entry
● Open to participants aged 16+
● Team (Pairs) format
● Advance registration required
● Places are limited
For more information and Urban Hybrid registration, visit: https://urbanhybrid.uk/