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The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years

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19 Jul 2025 -14 Sep 2025

Manchester Museum, Oxford Road

Free, booking required

Somewhere in the Museum, a giant cat is asleep.

 

Not just any cat. A 10-metre-long, inflatable robotic creature still and dreaming. Shifting gently with light and movement. A being of imagination and care. A cat unlike any other.

But this is not just a story about a cat. It’s about what happens when we pause. When we step outside of the noise and into spaces of wonder. When we let go of knowing exactly what we’re meant to feel and simply feel it.

This summer…

 

Step into a fantastical world with this in this world-premiere exhibition, The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years. Created with creative robotics studio Air Giants, this 10-metre-long inflatable robotic feline moves, shimmers with light and projects its dreams; inviting visitors of all ages to explore, interact and reflect on connection and care. Experience a playful blend of museum, theatre and dreamscape unlike anything you’ve seen before.

 

Coming Saturday 19 July 2025.

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Cat's Out of the Bag

Saturday 19 July

Enjoy a first look at this dreamy new exhibition and get paws-on with a whole host of fun, free family activities.

Cat’s Out of the Bag

Find the Kittens: an AR Trail

19 July to 14 September

The Cat’s kittens have escaped and they’re sleeping in spots across the Museum, so we need your help to find them.

Find the Kittens: an AR trail

A Purr-fect Summer!

22 July to 29 August

This summer, with our programme of family activities inspired by all the cats around the museum, dreams and imagination take centre stage!

Cat Costumes

Coming soon...