Wed 7th

Holmeside Writers

6-8pm - Ship Isis - Free

A monthly writers group.

Thu 8th

The Design Mixer - Design in Everything: Showcase

9am-12pm - Software City - Free

Bringing together designers, businesses, educators, makers, charities and communities, the programme showcases the breadth of design happening across the North East. From hands-on making to thought-provoking discussions, the week offers plenty of opportunities to discover the many ways design shapes our lives.

Alongside the showcase, you can join a one-hour discussion panel on the topic of "Somewhere, Not Anywhere: A Conversation About Designing Places".

The Design Mixer community has been offered the opportunity to attend a design showcase - anyone can exhibit for free to designers and members of the public. To participate in the showcase, follow the link through to their Instagram; you’ll find a form to download (link in bio).

Justine Sless - Comedy Workshop
& Bobby Thompson Comedy Tribute Night

6pm - Diego’s Joint

King Ink CIC - ‘Spoken Word Open Mic’

6-9pm* - Pop Recs - Free

A monthly open mic for poets and spoken word performers.
* Doors open at 6pm, the open mic begins at 7pm.

Between the Lines - Book Club

7-8:30pm - WEAR. - £5

Twice-monthly book club at WEAR. café. Seats are limited; please message to book your place.

Sat 10th

Art Café - ‘Art, Craft & Graze Market’

10am-3pm - Sunderland Train Station - Free

A market of local artists, makers, and food producers. Come along and explore a vibrant mix of local art, handmade crafts, and delicious treats all in one creative, community-driven space. Whether you're looking for something unique, tasty, or beautifully crafted, there'll be plenty to discover. On every second Saturday of the month.

Tue 13th

Creative Workshops NE CIC - Inclusive Life Drawing

6-8pm - Port Independent - Pay What You Feel

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or season artist, you’re welcome to join us for an inclusive life drawing session in a relaxing and encouraging environment with gentle guidance from a tutor. Materials provided. Refreshments available.

Sunderland Lit & Phil Society - Justine Sless - Author Talk

6:30-9pm - Chapter 13 Books - Free

Comedian and author Justine Sless, in conversation with Sunderland Lit & Phil Society’s Auburn Langley about her third book ‘Before I Sing You This Song’ - plus, Justine’s publishers, editor, and illustrator; the local creative titans Crear Publishing, Abbie Rutherford, and Fe Duncan!

Between the Lines - Book Club

7-8:30pm - WEAR. - £5

Twice-monthly book club at WEAR. café. Seats are limited; please message to book your place.

Fri 16th

Poetical Outlaws

7pm - Diego’s Joint - £5

Monthly spoken word and music night in Sunderland, hosted by Gary The Hat. Provides a stage for people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities.

Sun 18th

Pink Collar Gallery - Art Goss Zine Club

12-2pm - Port Independent - £5 (+VAT)

A relaxed, creative zine-making session where we learn about women artists throughout art history in a completely different way. Each session, we’ll spin the Art Goss wheel to randomly select the woman artist we’ll focus on. You’ll be given handouts with facts, stories and information about her life and work, then you’ll create a page inspired by what you’ve learned. You can draw, paint, collage, stitch, write, print or use whatever creative approach you like to tell her story. At the end of the session, everyone’s pages will be brought together to create that session’s Art Goss Zine. You’ll get a copy to take home, collect and share with others — creating a growing series of zines celebrating women artists and finding a more creative, accessible way to learn about art history. No previous art history knowledge or zine-making experience is needed.

Mon 19th

Sunderland Lit & Phil Society - Author Talk: Tobi Faith Ajet

6:30-8pm - Port Independent - Free

Come along to meet local author Tobi Faith Ajet, as she shares some of her stories, her passion as a writer, and immerse yourself in Nigerian heritage. Tobi Faith Ajet is a Nigerian writer and playwright living here in Sunderland, whose work blends identity, culture, resilience and social justice. She writes with clarity, purpose and a heartfelt commitment to stories that spark empathy and pride.

Tue 20th

Featherbed Books - Author Visit: Naomi Kelsey

5:30-6:30pm - Featherbed Books - Free

Naomi Kelsey returns to the Featherbed Floozies book club to discuss her historical mystery ‘The Darkening Globe’ set in 1597 featuring mysterious painted orb that appears to change as a set of untimely deaths occur.

Thu 22nd

ArtyParti - Show & Tell

6-9pm - Port Independent - £5 (+VAT) - includes a +1
(Includes a +1. Free for our ‘Friend’ & ‘Bestie’ supporters on Patreon)

A live podcast recording where artists & creatives of any discipline are invited to share their work & projects. We discuss and celebrate that work together. We'd love for you to join us - whether as artist, or audience.

Sunderland Lit & Phil Society - Gothic Literature

6:30-9pm* - Pop Recs - £10

* Doors open at 6:30pm, the panel begins at 7pm.

Sunderland Culture - Hotseat Life Drawing

7pm - Arts Centre Washington - £14

Grab a drink from the bar, pick your materials, sit, sketch… then switch. No fixed seats here— Move. Explore. Every angle offers a new perspective. With tiered seating for elevated viewpoints, a selection of easels, great models, lively atmosphere and eclectic playlists. Models will pose in a range of dynamic poses with props thrown in for visual interest. This is an ideal class for developing hand-eye coordination, experimenting with style and media.

King Ink CIC - Poet’s Corner

7-9pm - Bridge Hotel - Free

A monthly poetry discussion group.

Fri 23rd

Pink Collar Gallery - Art Goss: Evil Women? Why Art History Convinced Us They Were the Villains

6pm-8pm - Port Independent - £10 (+VAT)

Witches, murderesses, temptresses, adulteresses, the women painted throughout art history can fall under many themes. But the question remains, why has art history tried to convince us women are villains for so long? Who were the real women behind these paintings? In our Halloween art goss, we’re deep diving into the ‘evil woman’ archetype and exploring the artists that painted them.

Sat 24th

Art Café - ‘Art, Craft & Graze Market’

10am-3pm - Sunderland Train Station - Free

A market of local artists, makers, and food producers. Come along and explore a vibrant mix of local art, handmade crafts, and delicious treats all in one creative, community-driven space. Whether you're looking for something unique, tasty, or beautifully crafted, there'll be plenty to discover. On every second Saturday of the month.

Tue 27th

Sally Anderson / Witching Hour Zine - ART of Tarot

6:30-8pm - Ship Isis - £15

Join artist Sally Anderson for a deep dive into the art and artists behind the tarot. We'll gather in the historic Ship Isis pub, a historic space which is a favourite with paranormal investigation teams, offering a great range of ales. Starting with a short presentation to introduce you to some of the key artists behind the tarot, the symbolism and historical context, we'll move on to viewing some tarot card decks, then create our own tarot postcard drawing inspiration from the cards that appeal to you the most. Suitable for all levels of artist. Pencils, coloured pencils, and black fineliner drawing pens provided, or you're welcome to bring your own (dry, non toxic) art materials with you.

Wed 28th

ArtyParti - Queer Art Market

2-7pm - D20 Bar - Free

Showcasing work by queer artists and creatives living in Sunderland. Expect a range of art; from canvases to miniatures, calligraphy to greeting cards, lino prints to original novels. Join us to find joyful gifts, unique items for your home, or to support members of Sunderland’s creative community.

Tue ???

Reel Creatives - ‘The Hub’

6:30pm* - 3 Stories - Free

Meet local filmmakers and creatives, watch member work, and talk through ideas in a friendly room. It is free to attend; please create an account and mark whether you are coming. * Doors open at 6:30pm, event starts at 7pm.

Thu 29th

Sunderland Lit & Phil Society - Discussion Evenings

6-8:30pm - Port Independent - £3

Collaborative discussions in response to this month’s topic.

Fri 30th

Book Launch: The Allotment Sisterhood by Kay Wilson

6-8pm - Port Independent - Free

Kay Wilson will be chatting about her second novel, The Allotment Sisterhood, with ArtyParti producer Jay Sykes. She'll explain the inspiration for the book, which came from living beside allotments near Fulwell Mill in Sunderland and the route to self-publishing. Kay will be talking about how she writes a novel from the initial idea, getting to the first, of many, drafts, through to editing, choosing the right cover and launching the book to the world. She'll explain how she's got over challenges and why she writes, which sometimes is mystifying, even to her.