So you’re wondering if you should go to Sunderland’s first Soul and Music Festival? Here’s 10 reasons (and there’s lots more!) why you should…

1. This is the city’s first full scale food and drink festival since pre-pandemic – and this time it’s got music thrown in too!
2. You can eat your way around the globe without ever having to leave the city centre, thanks to the fantastic artisan street food producers taking part. Think Italian, Chinese, Indian and American!
3. You can watch Hairy Biker, Si King, playing with his group, The King Cush Band.
4. You can keep the kids amused for hours with walkabout characters, family friendly activities and a whole host of other entertainment. There’s even a number of sporting challenges on offer.
5. You can enjoy performances from the North East leading gospel choir, Voices of Virtue.
6. You’re getting two festivals for the price of one – the Soul and Music Festival and Souled Out Sunderland, which is taking place on the former Vaux site.
7. The event will feature the very best of the North East’s street entertainment with lots of buskers lined up to join in the fun.
8. Why not brush up on your cookery skills or get some inspiration from our demonstrations.
9. You can get your funk on with one of the region’s most loved bands – Smoove and Turrell.
10. You can make a whole weekend of it and enjoy everything Sunderland city centre has to offer!