A unique new exhibition is coming to the beautiful Bath Abbey, just in time for Christmas. 

Museum of the Moon is a touring exhibition by renowned British visual artist Luke Jerram, and it’ll be on display at the Abbey from 20th November through to 24th December 2021.

At the heart of the exhibition is a huge sculpture of the moon, around 7m in diameter and seemingly suspended above the floor. The artwork installation features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery, and at a scale where every centimetre represents 5km of the moon’s surface. 

Perhaps the most striking element of the piece though is the lighting. The sculpture is lit internally, seeming to glow in just the same way as moonlight. In the atmospheric surroundings of the cavernous Bath Abbey, this creates quite the spectacular – and even eerie – effect. 

The Museum of the Moon exhibition is accompanied by surround sound compositions from Dan Jones, the BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer. Fascinatingly, the installation will gather new musical compositions, stories and personal responses at every venue on its touring journey. 

Along with Bath, Museum of the Moon will also visit Lincoln Cathedral, Grimsby Minster and the Netherlands. It’s already been to the Ghent Light Festival in Belgium and the Exploratorium in San Francisco, along with Durham Cathedral and Chichester Cathedral. You can see the full tour dates here. 

Moon-tastic Family Days and Moonlight Lates

Another interesting aspect of this touring exhibition is that each venue plans its own programme of complimentary events, surrounding the central installation. 

Bath Abbey has lots of fun and games planned for this December, including family-friendly activities and thrilling evening events. 

There’ll be storytelling and crafts for ages 5 and over on Moon-tastic Family Days, on 30th November, 4th and 18th December. These events are free, and you can drop in with the kids anytime between 10am and 12.30pm. 

You can also pick up a Cosmic Wonder trail from the Abbey’s Welcome Desk, to find out more about the moon along with the story of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. 

And excitingly, you can visit the Abbey and Museum of the Moon after hours, at Moonlight Lates on selected dates from 21st November to 20th December. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sculpture and its award-winning soundtrack away from the crowds. You can also join Bath Astronomers in the Abbey Nave, and even climb the Abbey Tower for some stargazing and panoramic city views.  

Adult tickets start from £6 and child tickets at £3, with the Tower stargazing activities available for an extra cost. 

Other accompanying events include:

• Into the Silent Land – an exhibition by Bath artist Stephen Magrath
• Mindful art workshops led by Stephen Magrath
• All Night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninov – performed by Bath Abbey Choir of Girls and Lay-Clerks
• A Christmas Celebration with the Bath Abbey Choirs and Melody Makers. 

Find out the full listings and book tickets here. 

And if you’re planning to visit Bath Abbey during December, why not book yourself somewhere lovely to stay nearby? Take a look at our fabulous selection of self-catering apartments in Bath city centre.