The Great Exhibition of the North begins on Friday 22 June with the spectacular Get North! Opening weekend.

Opening day celebrations will offer your first chance to explore what’s going on at the Exhibition hubs and along the trails.

Venues will remain open until dusk falls and visitors are drawn to the Quayside for a special evening event revealing major Great Exhibition of the North pieces.

Audiences will line the Quayside to witness the first dramatic display of the UK’s largest water sculptures on the River Tyne. This 80m long fountain, reaching the height of the Tyne Bridge, will perform to a soundtrack of three specially commissioned music compositions.

A new anthem for the North will be unveiled by renowned writer, poet and playwright Lemn Sissay and the newly commissioned film – designed to take visitors on a journey through the innovative North – will have its world premiere in large scale.

Over the course of the opening weekend a series of one-off performances and surprises will also pop up around the trails.

The evening event is free to visit; however, some daytime venues may charge for entry. For further information including accessibility to venues, please visit the Great Exhibition website.