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.
An incredible shipping container garden is coming to Gateshead Quayside and will open in Summer 2018. The spectacular garden, designed by BBC garden presenter Diarmuid Gavin, will be made from 90 shipping containers and house performance space, brewery, cafes and shops underneath the iconic Tyne Bridge. It promises to be majestic and unique as well as providing a tranquil space in the heart of the city where people can relax but also grow food!