South Shields Procession of Witness: Everything you need to know for Good Friday 2026
The annual Procession of Witness is returning to South Shields for 2026.
South Tyneside Council has confirmed that the annual Procession of Witness will be returning to South Shields for Good Friday 2026 (Friday, April 3).
This year marks the 175th time that the Good Friday Procession of Witness has taken place and the event is open to everyone to attend.
Organised by the South Shields Sunday School Union, local churches will take part in the procession through South Shields town centre before gathering in Market Place for a short service.
This is everything you need to know for this year’s South Shields Procession of Witness:
When is the Procession of Witness?
The 2026 Procession of Witness will take place on Friday, April 3 (Good Friday).
The procession will start at 9am and will finish at around 11am.
What is the route?
South Tyneside Council has confirmed that the event will have two processions.
The larger procession will avoid Fowler Street and the bus interchange and instead go through Anderson Street to Ocean Road and King Street.
A second procession will travel south along Mile End Road and join the main procession on Ocean Road/King Street.
The local authority has confirmed that marshals will be in place along both routes and in Market Place.
What churches are taking part?
A number of local churches will be taking part in the procession through South Shields town centre.
Participating churches include:
- Living Waters Church.
- Westoe Baptist Church.
- The People’s Mission.
- The Salvation Army.
- Bethesda Church.
- West Harton Methodist Church.
The participating members will depart from their churches at allocated times, with all groups expected to arrive at Market Place between 9.50am and 9.55am.
A service will take place at the Old Town Hall steps at 10am and will finish at around 10.30am.
After the service, groups will return to their churches using the same routes - with all groups expected to return by 11am.
Will there by any road closures?
There will be a number of temporary road closures in place during the morning of Good Friday to allow for the Procession of Witness.
Winchester Street and Anderson Street will be fully closed for a short period of time until the procession has reached the pedestrian area.
South Tyneside Council has warned that the closure will result in short delays to motorists and bus services in South Shields.
Will there be disability access?
The Procession of Witness is open to all members of the public and disabled access is available along the procession routes and within Market Place.
The local authority has stated that Blue Badge holders will have access to a designated area near the Old Town Hall.
For more information about the 2026 Procession of Witness, visit: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/29588.
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