Arts Centre Washington has announced a vibrant Spring programme for 2026, bringing together theatre, live music, comedy, exhibitions, film, workshops and special events for all ages.
Running from February through to July, the season showcases acclaimed touring companies, regional talent and community creativity, with tickets starting from just £4 and many free events.
The theatre season features a rich mix of drama, comedy and family performances. Highlights include the riotous medical spoof General Medical Emergency Ward 10 (Wednesday, March 25 March, £15.50/£13.50 conc), Mortal Fools’ tech-savvy youth production Wired (Thursday, April 16 £8/£6 conc), and a landmark North East production of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Wednesday, May 27, £12/£10 conc). Sherlock Holmes and the Sting of the Scorpion will be at Arts Centre Washington on Thursday, June 4 (£12, conc £10).
Family audiences can enjoy puppet-packed adventures such as Bearly There (Saturday, February 14), Ruby’s Worry (Saturday, March 7) and The Tale of the Loneliest Whale (Thursday, April) 9, with tickets from £7.50 or £26 for families.
As already has been announced, music lovers can look forward to the brand-new Washington Folk Festival (April 2-4), featuring artists including Martin Simpson, Bob Fox and Jez Lowe, alongside workshops, a ceilidh and a Real Ale Festival.
In March, We Make Culture’s Young Musicians’ Project Collective will host a local music showcase for emerging talent (Friday, March 13 – pay what you decide).
Other musical highlights include Swing Band Dance Night with The Bright Street Band (Saturday, April, 18 £12), tribute favourites 10CCLO (Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 £15), and a special Wor Concert with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Ben Lunn (Wednesday, June 17, £15).
Spring comedy includes Patrick Monahan’s feel-good stand-up show The Good, The Pat & The Ugly (Friday, April 24, £12) and the return of Washy Comedy Fest in May (21-23), featuring family shows, debut acts, and popular Babes in Arms Comedy Club, a laughter-filled show where babies are welcome.
Other Comedy Festival highlights include Lee Kyle, with his Giant Comedy Show for Families Who Aren’t Boring (Saturday, May 23, 2pm) and Matt Reed: Stalked (Saturday, May 23 at 7pm) a darkly funny tale of catfishing gone wrong.
Community events include the Spring Craft & Makers Fair (Saturday, March 21, free) and Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival (February 24–28), with a companion arts exhibition running in Arts Centre Washington’s main gallery from February 7 to March 14.
Other visual arts exhibitions range from Rory Williams’ Present Continuous, Present Imperfect (March 17 – April 25) to Nat Hardy’s ISM – Art with Heart (May 8 – June 6) and Stronger Seams: Beyond Coal (June 19 – July 25).
Film lovers can enjoy monthly Wednesday matinees at 1pm, which offer relaxed daytime cinema. Showings include The Ballad of Wallis Island (February 11), The Life of Chuck (March 11) and The Penguin Lessons (April 8).
Creative opportunities include enamel jewellery workshops (Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, April 30), regular Drink & Draw sessions, Hotseat Life Drawing (Thursday, April 9 and Thursday, July 2) and weekly Nifties talks and activities for older adults.
Matt Blyth, Culture and Heritage Officer at Sunderland Culture, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting our new Washington Folk Festival as part of our new programme, but we also have a great range of events, activities and performances for people of all ages to enjoy over the next few months.”
For more information on the spring programme, or to book tickets or spaces, visit www.artscentrewashington.co.uk