Sunderland city centre is set to come to life with a colourful burst of music, dance and food in a vibrant celebration showcasing Christmas traditions from around the world.
DO you know your tomte from your poinsettia or which country calls on goats to guard its Christmas trees?
The three-day World Christmas Festival, organised by the Sunderland Business Improvement District (Sunderland BID), will see city centre locations transformed into dazzling displays of the ways different countries celebrate Christmas.
Welcomed by a ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘God Jul’ visitors can delve into the traditions of faraway cultures and join in the diverse winter celebrations being staged from 3pm on December 4 until 4pm on December 6.
Ken Dunbar, Sunderland BID chief executive, said: “It’s great to see an international theme to this year’s Christmas in Sunderland which reflects our commitment to celebrating international cultures in events throughout the year. 所以祝大家圣诞快乐每一个人”
Along with being entertained by vibrant performances, visitors can try their hand at festive crafts with poinsettia making, oil lamp decorations and a Swedish straw goat to guard Christmas tree.
On December 5 the spotlight will be on India and China when visitors can make oil lamp decorations before attentions turn to Swedish mythical creatures and Scandinavian heart baskets on December 6.
The event is part of an action-packed programme of festivities being delivered by the newly-formed partnership between Sunderland Live, Sunderland City Council and Sunderland BID.
The programme, which kicked-off with the Christmas lights switch on, will run until January 6 and will see the city’s streets brought to life with an exciting schedule of street entertainment.
For more information on Christmas in Sunderland or a full programme of events visit
