Centre Square, Middlesbrough
A thousand years ago, a great cat fell asleep beneath the earth — and began to dream. In November 2025, her dreams stirred again and spilt onto the streets, lighting up Middlesbrough with stories, stars, and strange fragments of her once forgotten magic.
Shine on Boro invited visitors to explore the dreams of a sleeping cat as they illuminated the town centre with a light artworks, performances and drop-in artist workshops for families.
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years
by Air Giants
A 10 metre long Cat that snored, purred, twitched its ear and swished its tail! Visitors showed their affection by giving it a stroke or a cuddle!
Commissioned by Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester
Paradise Carpet by Zarah Hussain
A glowing carpet of light and colour in this mesmerising new artwork by Zarah Hussain. Paradise Carpet blends intricate geometric patterns with calming sound and movement, creating a peaceful space for reflection and connection.
Inspired by the rich traditions of Islamic carpets and Hussain’s own family heritage in textile design, the piece fuses traditional craft with cutting-edge digital art. The result is a living, breathing artwork that celebrates cultural connection and shared humanity — a modern meditation on beauty, belonging and togetherness.
Supported by Borderlands Creative People & Places
Jurassic Fantastic by Whippet Up
A celebration of the hidden treasures of North Yorkshire’s ancient coastline, these glowing, mobile fossils — part sculpture, part costume, part creature — burst into life through movement and performance. From ammonites to ancient sea reptiles, each illuminated fossil tells a story of deep time, transformation and discovery. Created by community artists and performers, this roving spectacle invites audiences of all ages to meet the prehistoric past face to face — and see it shine.
The Stars Come Out at Night by Stellar Creates
Our striking installation which captures the beauty and wonder of the night sky, bringing a glimmer of starlight right down to earth. This winter installation will slowly rotate to reveal beautiful star patterns across the square. Step into a temporary universe of stars which dance across the ground capturing the magic of a sky full of stars.
