Important Visitor Notices

Wednesdays & Saturdays until 20 December – No Hot Glass Studio Demos due to our Bauble Making Experiences.

Christmas Opening: Wednesday 24 December – 10am – 3pm / Thursday 25 December – Closed / Friday 26 December – Closed / Saturday 27 December – 10am – 4pm / Sunday 28 December – Closed / Monday 29 December – 10am – 4pm / Tuesday 30 December – 10am – 4pm / Wednesday 31 January – 10am – 3pm / Thursday 1 January – Closed / Friday 2 January – 10am – 4pm / Saturday 3 January – 10am – 4pm / Sunday 4 January – Closed / Monday 5 January – 10am – 5pm

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National Glass Centre

Discover the art of glassmaking and its roots in the city

Glassmaking demonstrations

Experience the heat of our 1000-degree furnace and watch our expert glassmaking team craft works of art right before your eyes.

Glassmaking – 12:00, 13:45, 15:00 Monday – Saturday*

Flameworking – 11:00, 15:45. Not available on Tuesday or Sunday.

*We would recommend checking website alerts for schedule changes before visiting.

See & Do

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Three Artists: Zac Weinberg, Joanna Manousis, and Anthony Amoako-Attah
Free
Three images split across a rectangle. Image one (left side) shows four glass tubes with african inspired patterns. At the top of each tube is a circular shape which is also patterned. The centre image show a green tinted glass object with a large light bulb fixed to the top, the right hand image shows rows of industrial glass and metal bulbs.

Exhibitions

Three Artists: Zac Weinberg, Joanna Manousis, and Anthony Amoako-Attah

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery, Balcony Gallery & Research Gallery.

05 Dec 2025 – 10 Jan 2026
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National Glass Centre

Monumental
Free
A hillside photograph taken through a a powerful lightbox to give the impression of moonscape-esque white mottled terrain and an ink black sky.

Exhibitions

Monumental

Showing in the Sunderland Creatives Gallery

05 Dec 2025 – 14 Feb 2026
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National Glass Centre

Family Trail: The 12 Days of Christmas
Free
A snowy forest Christmas scene with a path leading through the middle. Eight baubles with images of birds follow the path into the forest. There is a red border with a white squiggle around the picture.

Children and Young People's Activities

Family Trail: The 12 Days of Christmas

05 – 31 Dec 2025

Ages 3+

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National Glass Centre

Jill McKnight: Past and Future Pact
Free
A painting of a number women working in a shipyard. The way they are dressed it appears it is set during the war. The painting consists of shades of blue for the women and a deep red hull for the ship.

Exhibitions

Jill McKnight: Past and Future Pact

Showing in Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space

05 Dec 2025 – 10 Jan 2026
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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

One-Day Introduction to Ceramics - Throwing Technique
A woman moulds clay inside a yellow plastic tray. She is wearing a vest and burgundy tights . There is a white star pattern on the tights.

Adult Workshops and Activities

One-Day Introduction to Ceramics - Throwing Technique

06 Dec 2025 – 04 Apr 2026

16+

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National Glass Centre

Make your own Christmas Bauble
Sold Out
A red mottled glass Christmas bauble hangs on a tree, attached with a red ribbon. The tree has small white globe shaped lights on every branch.

Adult Workshops and Activities

Make your own Christmas Bauble

06 – 20 Dec 2025

*Age 12+

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National Glass Centre

See & Do

Explore what’s on

Exhibitions, workshops, glassmaking and more

See & Do
Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
A large grey room with a polished cement floor and large abstract paintings hung on the wall. Two people are gesturing at one painting in front of them and smiling.

We’re home to Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Based inside National Glass Centre, the gallery showcases contemporary art in a range of media from talented national and international artists.

Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Learn & Create

Schools & Education
A group of school children stand in a workshop that has by tables with art supplies on them and various pieces of equipment. An adult at the head of the circle talks to the group looking down at something in front of them.

Schools & Education

Educational workshops for various ages and subjects as well as guidance for self-led visits.

Schools & Education
Children & Families
A group of children and adults stand behind a barrier and watch as molten glass is poured out of a metal ladle and into a dish of sand.

Children & Families

Enjoy your family trip with fun activities and trails to inspire little ones.

Children & Families
SEND
A child wearing an orange backpack looks through a pink piece of plastic they are holding in their hand. Another child behind them is wearing a pink backpack and looking down at a booklet they're holding.

SEND

Make the most of your visit with fun activities and safe spaces for SEND children and young people.

SEND
Plan your visit
An angular glass and metal building, the National Glass Centre, with a large paved area in front of it with wooden benches.

Plan Your Visit

Find out how to get here and about our facilities before you visit

Plan your visit
Two children walking on the balcony of an art gallery. The boy has short hair and is wearing a red t-shirt. The girl is shorter than the boy. She has long hair. Both children are wearing backpacks.

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