Summer Streets Festival 2026

Sunderland's Summer Streets Festival - which will take place on Cliffe Park, Roker on Saturday July 4 and Sunday July 5 2026 - has unveiled a programme of free live music, arts, workshops and community activity, that will deliver a weekend of entertainment for people of all ages and interests.

Now in its 12th year, the festival has grown into one of Sunderland's most recognisable grassroots cultural events, bringing nationally recognised artists, emerging regional talent, outdoor arts, workshops and participatory activity together in one open, accessible public space. It has been described as the 'UK's most beautiful festival' thanks to its scenic position on Sunderland's seafront.

Performers confirmed for the event this year are Martin McAloon, of Prefab Sprout; The Lindisfarne Story Band featuring Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw; Royal Northern Sinfonia; Demob Happy headline the BBC Introducing North East stage; Jamagotchi, a Sunderland-based supergroup doing classic 1990's hits; BBC 6Music regulars Pit Pony; Cortney Dixon who performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas this year and The Bonnersfield Blues Boom - a new group featuring Peter and David Brewis from Field Music. 

Organised by The Futureheads' Ross Millard, the event brings three music stages, programmed across the weekend with live music, as well as a number of tents and tipis scattered across Cliffe Park, where the wider programme includes workshops, crafts, participation activity, youth performance opportunities and community-led activity throughout the weekend. Main stage hosts for 2026 are former BBC anchor Jeff Brown on Saturday, and Frankie Francis - frontman of Frankie & The Heartstrings - on Sunday.

Ross said: "We're really pleased to have secured such a strong line-up of artists and performers for 2026. It feels like the event just gets bigger and better every single year.

"At its heart, Summer Streets is about creating a welcoming 'coming together' moment for the city.  People of all ages, all backgrounds and all interests can all find something that appeals to them at the event. It's really wonderful and I am proud to be able to deliver it for free again this year, making arts and culture accessible to all."

Other programme highlights include a BBC Introducing North East stage takeover, presented by radio presenter Shakk; a Young Musicians Project showcase; music workshops and participation activity from Music Connects; a Culture Start performance area takeover and Curious Arts activity and involvement. There will also be a performance from Dear Sunderland by Unfolding Theatre and Royal Northern Sinfonia return for a Main Stage performance. 

An important part of Summer Streets - which has been sponsored by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority; Sunderland BID, Northern Academy of Music Education, Sunderland College and the University of Sunderland - is a focus on creating opportunities for younger performers and grassroots artists to share stages and spaces with established touring artists and major cultural organisations.

Summer Streets is not simply presenting artists to audiences.  It is actively creating opportunities for young people to perform, build confidence, access creative pathways and feel ownership over cultural activity in the city.

Summer Streets is un-ticketed, offering an open access, family-friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.  It is a wheelchair accessible site and there are excellent public transport links making it easy for people to get to.

Partners helping to deliver the event include: Sunderland MAC Trust, Arts Council England, BBC Introducing North East, Cultural Spring, Culture Start, We Make Culture, Music Connects, Pop Recs, Sunderland Music City and Curious Arts. It is open 12-7.30pm on Saturday and 12-6pm on Sunday.