A thousand years ago, a great cat fell asleep beneath the earth — and began to dream. This November, her dreams stir again and spill onto the streets, lighting up Middlesbrough with stories, stars, and strange fragments of her once forgotten magic.
As night falls, you’re invited to explore the dreams of a sleeping cat as they illuminate the town centre with a light artworks, performances and drop-in artist workshops for families.
A free event in Middlesbrough Town Centre.
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd November
Location: Centre Square & Middlesbrough Town Hall
Times: 4.30-9.30pm
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years
by Air Giants
Centre Square (near the library)
A 10 metre long Cat that snores, purrs, twitches its ear and swishes its tail! The cat invites all ages to immerse in her unique movements.
Show your affection by giving it a stroke or a cuddle, and feel a massive purr.
Commissioned by Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester
Shadowdance by Impossible
Centre Square (near the library)
Shadowdance takes dancing in the streets to a whole new level! The audience become performers as floodlights magnify their multi-coloured silhouette to gigantic size. The effects get even the most reticent of dancers cutting interesting shapes. People’s shadows interact with each other, and life suddenly becomes a rainbow-coloured trick of the light!
The Stars Come Out at Night by Stellar Creates
Centre Square (near the Library)
Enjoy 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.
Stitching Light আলো দিয়ে গাঁথা
Middlesbrough Town Hall Courtyard
A textile and light installation exploring Bangladeshi women’s migration to the UK. Stories are being collected from groups of Bangladeshi women who live in Tower Hamlets, Leeds, Bradford, Middlesbrough, Worcester and Salford who have a lived experience of this migration journey.
Their stories are being gathered and transcribed onto 16 x 3m high colourful painted textile panels, hand painted by a traditional folk artist based in Dhaka and hand stitched with light thread to highlight the journeys that they have taken.
Supported by Borderlands Creative People and Places
Jurassic Fantastic by Whippet Up
Saturday night only – find them wandering around Centre Square!
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.
Roll Up, Roll Up by Hannah Fox
Find them peddling around Centre Square!
A charming pedal powered and hand cranked miniature carousel, illuminated with magical images that inspire storytelling amongst children and families.
The rotating little Big Top is transported by Lampopu and Lampelli on an iron delivery tricycle and is accompanied by hand turned music. Visit Roll up Roll up and let your imagination run away with the story book circus.
Storytelling and Arts Crafts
Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt
Step into The Crypt for a burst of creativity in Middlesbrough Town Hall. Visitors of all ages are invited to join in our Arts & Crafts Workshops from 4.30–9.30pm, where you can make, paint and play with light-inspired creations to take home.
From 4.30–8.30pm, settle in for Storytelling sessions that bring imagination to life – cosy, captivating tales that will delight children and grown-ups alike.
It’s the perfect place to take a breather, get creative, and enjoy some hands-on fun during Shine On Boro.
Paradise Carpet by Zarah Hussain
Middlesbrough Town Hall Fire Station
Step onto 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
Boro Blooms
Created with local communities, led by artists Diane Watson and Whippet Up – Centre Square
Boro Blooms brings colour and light to Centre Square with a beautiful display of illuminated flowers, each one handmade by people from across Middlesbrough. Over recent months, community groups have worked with artists Diane Watson and Whippet Up to create these glowing blooms that celebrate creativity, collaboration and pride in our town.
This joyful installation transforms the heart of Middlesbrough into a radiant garden of light — a symbol of growth, togetherness and the power of communities to make something extraordinary when they create side by side.
Free –no booking or ticket required.
Middlesbrough has many car parks across the town please us this link to plan your journey. https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking-and-permits/car-parks-and-charges-in-middlesbrough/
Centre Square – Library Green
4.30–9.30pm
The Cat Who Slept for 1000 Years – Air Giants
The Stars Come Out at Night – Stellar Creates
Shadow Dance – Impossible
Town Hall Courtyard
4.30–9.30pm
Stitching Light – EEA
Town Hall Fire Station
4.30–9.30pm
Middlesbrough Carpet – Zarah Hussain
Walkabout
Roll Up, Roll Up – Hannah Fox
(times TBC)
Ammonites – Whippet Up (Saturday only,
4.30–9.30pm
Town Hall – The Crypt
Arts & Crafts Workshops
4.30–9.30pm
Storytelling
4.30–8.30pm
