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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
Films
Autism Friendly & Relaxed Screenings: WALL-E
Autistic children, young people, and adults
Arts Centre Washington
Films
Autism Friendly & Relaxed Screenings: Robot Dreams
Autistic children, young people, and adults
Arts Centre Washington
Special Events
Highlights: Disability Arts Exhibition 2026 Celebration
Arts Centre Washington
Workshops for 11-19 year olds @ Arts Centre Washington
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
Children and Young People's Activities
Teenage Craft Club's Crafternoon
11-19
Arts Centre Washington
Workshops for 8-10 year olds @ Arts Centre Washington
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
Bright Lights @ Sunderland Museum and 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
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival: Scrap Sketchbooks Workshop
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Special Events
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival: Willow Weaving with Sylvan Skills
Ages 11+
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Bright Lights Youth Arts Exhibition 2026
Arts Centre Washington
Exhibitions
Highlights: Disability Arts Exhibition 2026
Arts Centre Washington
Culture Start City Wide Programme
Children and Young People's Activities
Two Day Animation Bootcamp
Spots are limited—please commit to both days when booking!
13-18 (up to 25 with SEND)
City-wide
Children and Young People's Activities
Bright Lights SEND Session - Creative Stone Art
City-wide
Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival 2026 is supported by Culture Start and the Autonomy project. The Autonomy project is supported by Association of Independent Museums’ Connected Communities programme, funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, through Arts Council England.
