The Sunderland Food and Drink Festival will return to the city centre from 5 to 7 June 2026, taking place across Keel Square, High Street West, and Market Square.
Organised by the Sunderland Business Improvement District, the event will feature Pride and Afrobeats pop-up events at Market Square. The festival is set to run from 10am to 7pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
The upcoming event follows a record-breaking year in 2025, which saw approximately 50,000 visitors attend the festival across three locations. Since its recent growth, the event has become a significant fixture for the local economy, with the 2023 edition generating an estimated £840,000 boost for the city.
Visitor numbers have increased steadily, with the 2024 festival attracting more than 30,000 people, doubling the attendance from the previous year. While the dates and locations for the 2026 event have been confirmed by the Sunderland Food & Drink Festival organisers, the full list of exhibitors and entertainment acts is yet to be announced.
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