Houghton Feast is back this October with a fun-filled programme for all the family!
Celebrating the Magic of Houghton, this yearβs festival will run from Friday 3 October to Sunday 12 October, bringing ten days of entertainment, tradition and community spirit.
Rooted in history dating back to the 12th century, Houghton Feast began as a religious celebration in honour of St Michael & All Angels parish church, traditionally marked as Michaelmas. Today, it continues to blend centuries-old customs with modern-day festivities for all ages.
More than 800 years on, the festival β with its traditional fairground, ox roasting, carnival parade, community events, exhibitions, talks, tours and fireworks β continues to celebrate local culture and tradition through its vibrant programme of events.
The feast kicks off at 6pm on Friday 3 October with a spectacular community opening ceremony on The Broadway. Festival-goers can look forward to live entertainment from Houghton Pipe Band, Zazz dancers, The Voice of Houghton and Houghton Feast Childrenβs Choir and stilt walkers, ahead of the grand switch-on of the Houghton Feast illuminations by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque.
The famous historic ox roast makes its return to the festival on Saturday 4 October β a whole roast ox, prepared overnight and served up in sandwiches from 1pm in the grounds of The Old Rectory, where the first oxen were roasted by Rector Bernard Gilpin to feed Houghtonβs poor in the 16th century.
This will be followed at 2pm by the fantastic community Carnival Parade, which is always a highlight of the feast. Expect a colourful spectacle of brass bands, dancers, floats, vintage steam and classic vehicles and carnival performers snaking its way along Newbottle Street and the Broadway.
Itβs also worth sticking around after the parade for free family fun, with bubbles, a toddler area, crafts and giant games we well as entertainment from the Rock Choir, Ukrainian dancers and local artists.Β
Thereβs another family favourite to look forward to at 7.30pm on Monday 7 October, when the feast holds its Spectacular Firework Display, which can viewed from Durham Road.
Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said:
βHoughton Feast has long been one of our best loved festivals. Itβs been bringing our community together for centuries and I know itβs one that residents and visitors look forward to every autumn.
βThis year weβve got all the old favourites like the spectacular opening night, carnival parade, fairground, fireworks and our famous roasting of the ox and a jam packed programme of free family fun, events, activities and entertainment, so there really is something for everyone.
βIβd also like to pay tribute to the Houghton Feast Steering Committee, which is made up of people from across the community, local councillors and people from local organisations and businesses β without whose hard work the feast wouldnβt happen. They do a brilliant job pulling this fantastic event together every year, working with the City Council.βΒ Β
To find out more and stay up to date with the latest news about Houghton Feast visit: Houghton Feast β MySunderland Β
