IT has been billed as the biggest event in England next year: a cultural and technological spectacular of all things Northern where visitors will be able see art by Lowry and Hockney, Stephenson’s Rocket, John Lennon's piano, Helen Sharman’s space suit and an amazing 80-metre river sculpture.

Details are beginning to filter through of what will be included in the Great Exhibition of the North, a £5m government-sponsored 80-day programme of events taking place in Newcastle and Gateshead this summer.

There will be a mass of things for people to see and do at various venues, and three trails – innovation, arts and design – through Newcastle and Gateshead with even more, much of it yet to be announced. The venues and locations will remain open until dusk as audiences are drawn to the Quayside for a special evening event revealing major Great Exhibition of the North pieces.

The spectacular start to the exhibition, on Friday, June 22, will feature the 80-metre water fountain in the River Tyne that will reach the height of the Tyne Bridge. The display has been specially commissioned for the Great Exhibition of the North and showcases the collaboration between industry and art that runs through the entire programme. Inspired by The Angel of the North, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, three newly commissioned music compositions will provide a soundtrack to the water fountain and each one will be premiered on the opening evening.

An arrival film – a key piece of programming for anyone visiting the exhibition – will have its world premiere as part of the ‘Get North’ opening event where it will be projected at large scale at the Quayside.

Award-winning writer, poet and playwright Lemn Sissay will also unveil a specially commissioned anthem for the North.

Sir Gary Verity, chairman of the Great Exhibition of the North, said: “Our ‘Get North’ opening event will set the tone for what is going to be an outstanding summer of amazing exhibits, inspired technology, vibrant street performance, cutting edge culture and magical experiences."

Carol Bell, executive director of Great Exhibition of the North, said: “The Great Exhibition of the North will open in the afternoon of June 22 and we’re celebrating this landmark moment with a special evening event that will see the premiere of some exciting parts of the Great Exhibition programme.

“Following the opening, the water sculpture, arrival film and anthem for the North will be available to enjoy every day during the event.”

Set against the backdrop of the quayside, the water fountain display will be seen for the first time as part of the opening event. Morecambe-based Water Sculptures Ltd created the display. The internationally renowned company has developed large-scale water effects for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, 2011 Lumiere in Durham, London 2012 Olympic opening and Paralympics closing ceremonies, 2015 First European Games in Baku and 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku.

Another highlight of the ‘Get North’ opening event will be the first public performance of an anthem for the North – a new piece of poetry by award-winning writer and broadcaster Sissay.

He said: “The Exhibition will shine a light on the difference the North is making to the world today and tomorrow. I am proud to be invited to create a new anthem for the North which will sit at the heart of the opening of the Exhibition. I am proud of the North. We name the unnamed, we count the invisible, we make change. We make a difference.”

The Great Exhibition of the North arrival film will be screened at the quayside as part of the celebrations. Telling the inspiring story of the North, the film will also be shown throughout the Exhibition at Hub venues Great North Museum, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Sage Gateshead.

After the opening event, the water sculpture will run several times a day throughout Great Exhibition of the North with visitors able to download the new compositions from www.GetNorth2018.com and select their preferred musical accompaniment.

During its evening performances the fountain will also include an LED lighting display, choreographed and synchronised to the commissioned music.

Ms Bell said: “The word is out, NewcastleGateshead is the place to be in 2018. Fresh from being named the top place to visit in the world in 2018 by Rough Guide, we’re delighted to announce details of what will be a spectacular start to Great Exhibition of the North.”

The full programme of events will be announced at the end of February.