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Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival 2026
A celebration of creativity featuring free workshops and special events for young people ages 11 – 19.
Now in it’s fifth year, Bright Lights: Youth Arts Festival is a city‑wide celebration of youth talent and creative energy featuring events, exhibitions and workshops taking place at Arts Centre Washington, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and city wide.
What’s On
Special Events
11+
Arts Centre Washington
Theatre and Performance
Butterfly - Sunderland College
Arts Centre Washington
11+
Arts Centre Washington
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival: Autonomy Takeover Day
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Art Festival: Secrets and Shadows - Sunderland’s Dark Past
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival: Creative Arts Takeover Event
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Workshops for 11-19 year olds
Children and Young People's Activities
Clay Mark Making
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Photographic Embroidery
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Creative Writing
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Studio Photography
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Block Printing
11 - 19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Movie Prop Making
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Using Film for Feminism in 2026
Young women aged 11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Aluminium Jewellery
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Special Effects Make-Up
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival: Scrap Sketchbooks Workshop
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Workshops for 8-10 year olds
Children and Young People's Activities
Creative You Junior - Introduction to Songwriting
Ages 8-10
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Creative You Junior - Ways Into Singing
Ages 8-10
Arts Centre Washington
Children and Young People's Activities
Creative You Junior - Join the Band
Ages 8-10
Arts Centre Washington
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition 2026
Arts Centre Washington
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival is part of Culture Start, an exciting programme designed to help children and young people in Sunderland take part in free creative and cultural events.
