What to expect at Sunderland Food and Drink Festival

Expect international food stalls, arts and crafts traders and live entertainment for the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival 2026 at Keel Square and High Street West, which returns from June 5 to 7 and attracted more than 50,000 visitors last year.

Roberta Redecke, head of business services at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: “The entertainment, the live music and of course the amazing food and drink vendors ensure this event goes from strength to strength.”

This year’s entertainment programme will get underway on Friday, June 5, with performances from North East girl band Northern Daughters, vocalist Ami Vaziri, and Re-Live the 90s.

On Saturday, June 6, ABBA tribute act Voulez 2 will take to the stage alongside Will Jennison Country Roads and tribute acts, Katy Perry Live.

Sunday’s line-up includes Run to You – a Whitney Houston tribute – The Story of Styles, and a showcase by the Inspire Stage School.

Younger festival-goers will be kept entertained with a full programme of children’s activities and workshops, plus outdoor games and workshops.

This year’s festival will take place during an especially busy weekend for Sunderland, coinciding with Pride in Sunderland and the Makers & Bakers market at the Bridges shopping centre.

Ms Redecke thanked Stagecoach North East for joining as headline sponsor, saying “We are so grateful to Stagecoach North East for agreeing to sponsor the Food and Drink Festival which really helps us in delivering a memorable event.”

Steve Walker, Managing Director for Stagecoach North East, said: “We’re proud to be headline sponsors of the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival; a fantastic event that brings people together and showcases the very best of the city.

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“As a business operating right at the heart of everyday life in Sunderland, it’s important to us that we support events that are fun, inclusive and add real value to the community.

“With our bus services, we’re looking forward to helping even more people enjoy everything the festival has to offer.”

More information and updates can be found at sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk.