PBS KIDS is continuing to grow its lineup of original family programming with the debut of Carnival of the Animals, a brand-new animated musical special arriving November 16.
Inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ beloved orchestral suite, the half-hour special brings the iconic composition to life through vibrant 2D animation alongside a live recording performed by Grammy Award-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
Rather than relying on dialogue, Carnival of the Animals lets the music lead the storytelling as a young hero embarks on a whimsical adventure to recover the Lion’s stolen crown before the city’s grand carnival celebration. Along the journey, viewers are introduced to a colorful cast of animals, playful visual comedy and beautifully hand-painted watercolor-inspired animation that transforms each movement of the famous classical work into one connected narrative.
Designed for children ages 2-8, the special also serves as an accessible introduction to orchestral music, encouraging young audiences to discover how melody, rhythm and instruments can tell stories while sparking creativity and imagination.
The experience will continue beyond the special itself with five companion digital shorts featuring musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), giving families an opportunity to explore the instruments and musical themes featured throughout the production.
As PBS KIDS continues investing in new educational programming, Carnival of the Animals adds another thoughtful original to its growing library—blending music, storytelling and animation into an experience designed to entertain while inspiring a lifelong appreciation for the arts.