“The Snowman” and “Shaun the Sheep” Are Bringing a Magical Christmas Celebration to the UK This Holiday Season!

There are some stories that, no matter how much time passes, have become an inseparable part of the holiday season. Stories that generations of families have grown up watching, returning to their familiar characters and wonderful worlds year after year as the magic of Christmas begins to fill the air.

And for many families, few animated classics capture that feeling quite like The Snowman.

Now, the beloved holiday favorite is preparing to take flight once again, but this time, he won’t be celebrating the season alone!

Carrot Productions has officially announced the return of its annual The Snowman live orchestral tour, bringing the BAFTA-winning animated classic to venues across the United Kingdom alongside a brand-new musical adaptation of Aardman’s Shaun the Sheep: Fleece Navidad.

Running from November 29 through December 22, 2026, the festive celebration will feature 32 performances across 14 venues, allowing families to experience both animated adventures on the big screen while a live orchestra performs their musical scores.

And with Shaun the Sheep joining the festivities, this year’s celebration is shaping up to be something particularly special!

Following its successful Aardman in Concert tour celebrating the animation studio’s 50th anniversary, Carrot Productions has created a new orchestral adaptation of Fleece Navidad, bringing Shaun and the rest of the Mossy Bottom Farm flock’s Christmas adventures to life through music.

The performances will also feature one of the most recognizable musical moments in holiday animation, “Walking in the Air,” from The Snowman. Young singers from communities surrounding each venue will have an opportunity to perform the beloved song alongside the professional orchestra, making the celebration even more meaningful for participating families.

And audiences will be invited to join in as well!

Following the success of last year’s performances, every show will conclude with a special singalong of “Walking in the Air,” complete with lyrics and British Sign Language demonstrations displayed on the big screen. Deaf trumpeter Sean Chandler will demonstrate the signs, allowing audiences to participate through singing, signing or a combination of both.

The program will also include Sleigh Ride, a musical introduction to the instruments of the orchestra created by composer and arranger Daniel Whibley, giving young audience members an opportunity to discover some of the sounds and musicians responsible for bringing their favorite animated stories to life.

Beyond the public performances, Carrot Productions will return to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital on December 6 for a special free performance for children receiving care and their families. The tour will also feature dedicated performances for audiences with special educational needs and disabilities in Derby and Brighton.

The Christmas tour will visit Stockport, Oldham, Buxton, Derby, Durham, Manchester, Guildford, Watford, Nottingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Birmingham, Chester and York.

For families who have made watching The Snowman part of their annual holiday traditions, the upcoming tour offers a different way to experience the beloved animated classic while introducing young viewers to the wonderful world of live orchestral music.

And with Shaun the Sheep joining the celebration, there is even more festive fun to look forward to!

Tickets and additional information are available through the official Carrot Productions website.