without fail.
In 1994 the illuminations were withdrawn due to issues with funding that was it. I grew up and if I'm honest, pretty much forgot they'd existed.
Last year in 2013, they returned.
I found out from SunderlandLive on Twitter and Hubby and I decided to take the little man for his visit visit.
The illuminations this year are based on Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with the light shows depicting some of the classic scenes and characters from the 19th century novel.
There are also actors dressed up as characters from the book dotted around the park who are happy to pose for photos and talk to the children.There are plenty of extortionately price children's light up toys you can buy from vendors dotted through the park and at every park entrance and exit. You can also pick up the traditional bag of chips or hotdog from the burger vans which are at regular intervals in the park and at the seafront.
We walked around the park at dusk and then again once darkness had fallen. The little man absolutely loved looking at the lights and listening to the sounds from the fair ground, so much so that he was still awake at 9pm that night and still rather excited!
We had pleasant time walking round the park, and the addition of the actors in costume were an added bonus.
Entrance to the park is free so it was an inexpensive night for us. It made a nice free, family friendly night out, but to make sure that's the case you do need to stay well away from the vendors selling the flashing lights and take your own grub!
Hopefully if the illuminations return next year they will expand and be on a grander scale, and maybe one day get back to the standard they once were. Regardless though, we still enjoyed it, it's nice to see Sunderland offering more family friendly events.
The Illuminations this year are running from 27th September until the 2nd November, so you still have plenty of time to visit.