CRAFTING, live music, festive food and last minute gift ideas will all be on offer as Sunderland’s Sunniside Market holds a special Christmas event.
The monthly markets have become an important date on the city calendar, bringing together artisan traders offering a range of specialised foods.
And to make sure the last event of the year goes out with a real bang, Sunniside Market The Festive Edit has created a packed programme of entertainment and food offerings.
The event is taking place at Sunniside Gardens on Sunday 21 December between 10am and 3pm and includes a free Santa’s grotto where not only will every child get a free gift, but so will every furry friend who they bring along on the day.
Artist and author Hannah Graham will also be present, signing her books and sketching visitors as Christmas elves, along with challenging shoppers to a festive sketch-off.
Community garden Let Your Soul Grow will be present and showing people how to make pinecone Christmas trees, with a full programme of entertainment taking place to really get everyone in the festive spirit.
It kicks off at 10.30am with a 45 minute performance by Houghton Brass Band who will then be back on stage again at 11.45am.
At 11.25am and 12.45am passers-by can enjoy the Salty Seabird Choir, with Absolute Cabaret performing between 1pm and 3pm.
Many of the regular traders have given their offering a festive feel, with Bass Notes Coffee adding a splash of Bailey’s in some of its drinks while EW Flowers will be selling wreaths and table decorations.
Food favourite Parm-o-Rama has added festive Parmo fries to its menu and Greek specialists, Acropolis, will be selling festive gyros and Santa’s Bowl- a Christmas dinner with a difference.
Other stall holders attending the day – curated by Local Heroes NE – include Wear Beer, The Little Cakery By the Sea, The Brownie Bar, Pink Lane Bakery, FC Roast,The Yolker and The Travelling Bee Company.
They will be joined by Sunshine Co-operative, Geordie Bangers, Wild North and Zenobia, ensuring it will be a day all about creativity, community and Christmas cheer.
Sunniside Market is an initiative from Sunderland’s BIDS – which include the City Centre BID and the Seafront BID – working in collaboration with Su Devine, artist and director of Art Café and Local Heroes NE.
Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services at Sunderland’s BIDs, believes it will be the perfect event in the run-up to Christmas.
“The markets are always extremely popular and we wanted to end the year with one which would have a fantastic seasonal flavour,” she said.
“There is something for everyone with free family activities and a great live music programme, as well as a really brilliant mix of traders who will ensuring everyone is in good spirits.”
Sue Devine added: “with artists, makers, musicians and traders all coming together in Sunniside Gardens, it’s a brilliant way to experience the magic of the season while supporting local business at the same time.”