Bring your event to Sunderland

If you're an event organiser looking for the perfect city for your next event, you're in the right place. 

We are a vibrant, dynamic, future-forward city which holds hundreds of events each year. We boast a range of fantastic venues for theatres, gigs, concerts, performances, exhibitions, festivals and much more. Our team works with hundreds of businesses each year to create memorable experiences. Whether it's a small community day or a large-scale event, our events team can help you book your event in Sunderland with ease. 

Explore What's On to discover up and coming events in Sunderland. 

Choosing An Event Space 

There are countless venues and hired spaces across the city that are suitable for events. Whether you're looking to host an event in the city centre, at the seafront or in an open space, many of our venues will accommodate events, though will vary in capacity, size and pricing. For further information on our venues please contact events@sunderland.gov.uk  

How to book your event

• Complete the application form, providing as much information as possible, and return it to events@sunderland.gov.uk.
• The Events Team will review your application and advise on the venue and date, as well as the venue hire fee (if applicable).
• An Event Management Plan (EMP) will be requested, and additional information may also be requested and outlined by the team.
• Your EMP and other relevant documentation will be shared with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) for comments.
• Once SAG has no comments, you will receive an email from the team confirming your event.

Further useful information

Safety Advisory Group (SAG)

The SAG is an advisory body comprising key representatives from relevant organisations. Its purpose is to offer advice to event organisers to promote public safety at events within the district. SAG examines the safety aspects of events so they can proceed in a safe way. 

All applications for events/activities on Council land will need to be raised with the Safety Advisory Group for consideration.

Regulated Activity

A Temporary Event Notice is used to authorise licensable activities either outside the scope or time of an existing licence or to permit an unlicensed premises to carry out licensable activities for a short period of time. 

Temporary events notices are a way to obtain authorisation for a small, one-off event at a premises or area (including outdoors) where or when licensable activities are not normally authorised. 

Traffic Management

If your event requires closure of a road or public highway the event organiser will need to request this, it is recommended that the request is submitted at the latest 12 weeks before the Event. Further information can be found here. 
 

Book Your Event in Sunderland

To bring your event to Sunderland please complete our application form (Word doc, 62 KB) and return it to Events@sunderland.gov.uk . 

Festival and Events Grant Funding

Sunderland City Council is committed to enabling and supporting the development of festivals and community-based events that will enhance the arts and cultural offering across the city. 

Sunderland City Council intends to continue its support for various festivals and events with grant awards to organisations through our Festivals and Events Fund. 

Applications are now open until September 2025, the applications will then reopen in October 2025. 

Take a look at our Festival & Event Fund Guidance (PDF, 168 KB) for further information on the Festival and Event Grant.

To submit and application please complete our Festival & Event Fund Application Form (PDF, 327 KB) and return this to events@sunderland.gov.uk  

You can contact us to ask any further questions if the required information is not listed at events@sunderland.gov.uk where our team will endeavour to respond to you as quickly as possible.