This is a free, summer-long celebration of the North of England’s pioneering spirit. The magic begins on Friday 22 June with the spectacular Get North! Opening weekend.

The UK’s biggest event in 2018, will pack a programme of amazing exhibits, live performances, displays of innovation, new artworks and unforgettable experiences into 80 days.

The Get North Art, Innovation & Design Trail; Robert Stephenson’s iconic locomotive Rocket will come home to Newcastle, on loan to Discovery Museum from the Science Museum Group as part of the Great Exhibition of the North; and the UK’s largest water sculpture will perform hourly (10am-11pm) every day of the Exhibition. It’s 80m long and will reach the height of the Tyne Bridge, with three specially commissioned soundtracks available to download. After dark, the performance will include a stunning light display.

There will also be a new concrete sculpture displayed in the form of a charm bracelet, outsized as if belonging to a child of a giant will be installed on Baltic Square. The various charms, each with a historical link to the North of England will be linked together by a maritime mooring chain and include light bulbs and the Geordie lamp.