Sunderland City Council has launched a new “City of Love” trail across Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, to encourage residents to visit local shops and attractions during February 2026. The trail officially launched on 1 February 2026 and is intended to bring more people into the city centre during the quiet weeks after the Christmas period by offering a mix of free and paid activities for families and couples.
The event features 14 interactive ‘Love Points’ located in popular spots such as Keel Square, Mowbray Park and around the Riverside Sunderland development. Visitors can use the Sunderland Experience app, provided by Sunderland BID, to locate trail points and unlock offers and discounts from participating local cafes and boutiques as they complete the route.
According to the council and local organisers, the programme includes floral pop-ups and a range of creative workshops where people can try their hand at make-a-glass Valentine’s heart workshops (glassblowing demonstrations and hands-on sessions) or attend romantic poetry sessions. These activities are being hosted at several local venues, including the National Glass Centre and Sheepfolds Stables.
Information about the full trail map and a complete list of workshop times is available on the MySunderland website. Local organisers hope the event will showcase recent changes to the city skyline and provide a boost to small businesses in the area.
The council says the trail runs through mid-February 2026, with the largest number of events scheduled for the Valentine’s weekend (13–15 February 2026). The initiative forms part of a longer-term plan to make the heart of the city a more vibrant and healthy place for the community to gather.
