In July 2018 the Tall Ships fleet will create a stunning spectacle on the banks of the River Wear and within the prestigious Port of Sunderland.

The event will take place from Wednesday 11th July to Saturday 14th July and there will be numerous activities and attractions around the city for everyone to enjoy, absorbing visitors in a festival of culture that celebrates both the city’s maritime heritage and cultural renaissance.

The ships will be open for free public access at set times, many ships will host exclusive deck events for which tickets may be purchased, or entire deck events may be booked.

The event promises to be a spectacle from start to finish with key elements that include a Crew Parade and stunning Parade of Sail.

Wednesday 11 July – Ships will arrive by lunchtime – making spectacular viewing from the seafront and around the quaysides of the River Wear.

Thursday 12 July – The ships’ crews will enjoy a morning of sport and culture before the upbeat Crew Parade through the city from the Port, bringing a true international carnival atmosphere to the streets. The Parade is intended to thank the host port for their hospitality and everyone is welcome to come along and join the festivities. The parade will conclude with a prize-giving Ceremony in the city centre with prizes being awarded to ships and individuals for a range of disciplines and achievements.

Friday 13 July – Race business starts to get serious as the Captains receive their brief from Sail Training International officials. The sail trainees that will undertake the first leg of the Races to Esbjerg arrive to join their ships.

Saturday 14 July – The ships will be closed for public access as they make final preparations for the Races. They will un-dock over the course of the afternoon and move out into the North Sea in a stunning Parade of Sail.

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.

The UK’s ‘must see’ spectacular outdoor live-action show with 17 performances from 30th June to 15th September 2018

Kynren is a first for the UK, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is an action-packed live blockbuster performed by a cast and crew of 1,000. Visitors will be blown away by the 90-minute world-class show, providing an immersive and entertaining time travel adventure through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend.

Kynren, a world-class show brought to life with magnificent sets, combat, stunts, horsemanship, stunning pyrotechnics and amazing special effects set to a thrilling original soundtrack. Kynren is a captivating experience for all ages, it really has to be seen to be believed!