- Play Hard
- 1st Nov 2026
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Fenwick Christmas Window 2026 is… The Gruffalo’s Child. Here’s a look back through the ages
This year, Fenwick is heading into the deep, dark wood with The Gruffalo’s Child.
The 2026 Fenwick Christmas Window has officially been revealed as The Gruffalo’s Child, the much-loved story by Dame Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books and Magic Light Pictures, the animated scenes were unveiled on Sunday 1st November on Northumberland Street.
Following last year’s festive take on A Christmas Carol, the window follows the Gruffalo’s child as she tiptoes out of the cave while her father sleeps, in search of the Big Bad Mouse. Fox, Owl and Snake all make an appearance along the way, before a giant mouse shadow sends her scurrying home, with Santa’s sleigh gliding overhead. It ends with a cosy scene of a twinkling tree, wrapped presents and a glowing fire.
There’s a musical treat too. Royal Northern Sinfonia, conducted by James Weeks, have recorded a playful, festive reimagining of Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, complete with sleigh bells and animal sounds.
The 2026 Fenwick Christmas Window display will be open to view from Monday 2nd November, throughout the festive season.
A HISTORY OF THE ICONIC FENWICK CHRISTMAS WINDOW
A Christmas Carol, 2025
Last year’s window brought Charles Dickens’ festive classic to life, with illustrator Chris Riddell, fresh from his Twelve Days of Christmas windows, returning to Fenwick. Set in Victorian England, the series followed Ebenezer Scrooge as he was visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come, learning compassion, generosity and the true spirit of Christmas along the way. It wasn’t the first time Scrooge had graced Northumberland Street either, with the story also featuring in 1980 and 1998.
The Twelve Days of Christmas, 2024
2024’s window series told the heartwarming story of Foggy, a determined partridge with a special Christmas wish… to make his pear tree grow. Foggy’s adventure unfolded through a series of enchanting scenes, from Santa’s Design Studio, where Two Turtle Doves, Three French Hens, and Four Calling Birds were hard at work, through to the Secret Workshop…
The Chronicles of Narnia, 2023
2023 saw Fenwick’s Christmas Window theme as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, depicting the beloved tale of four curious children discovering the magical world of Narnia. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy stepped through the magical wardrobe to embark on a fantastical adventure with Aslan and Mr. Tumnus, where they navigated the land of eternal winter which had been enchanted by the White Witch.
The first Fenwick Window – Camberwick Green, 1971
Fenwick first took the brave step to devote an entire shop window to festive animation in 1971, when they began their collaboration with the German-based One World Studio to recreate the popular children’s TV series Camberwick Green. With stop-motion puppets Captain Snort, Private Featherby and fan favourite Windy Miller began a festive tradition that would continue for more than half a century.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2019
A much-loved year, 2019’s puppet portrayal of Willy Wonka, Charlie and Grandpa Joe was expertly created in the style of Roald Dahl’s original (and instantly recognisable) illustrator, Quentin Blake. Genius.
Christmas in Another World, 2002
Everyone remembers Fenwick’s 2002 window, although not always for the best reasons. Don’t get us wrong, the famous (or is it ‘infamous’ now?) Aliens were well produced but definitely divided opinions, following the slightly more traditional A Christmas Carol and Santa’s Journey. Whether you loved or hated them, though, you’re unlikely to forget them.
1971 – Camberwick Green
1972 – Chigley
1973 – Rupert Meets Santa
1974 – Sooty’s Circus
1975 – Aladdin
1976 – Fairytale Christmas with Cinderella
1977 – Treasure Island
1978 – Storybook Christmas
1979 – Wonderful world of Pantomime
1980 – A Christmas Carol
1981 – Alice in Wonderland
1982 – Arabian Nights
1983 – Fly to Fenwick’s for Christmas
1984 – Gulliver
1985 – Fairytale Christmas with Pinocchio
1986 – Christmas Circus
1987 – Magical Winter Wonderland
1988 – Purrfect for Christmas
1989 – Jungle Fantasy
1990 – Good Old Santa
1991 – It’s A White Christmas
1992 – Santa’s Christmas Party
1993 – Alice in Wonderland
1994 – Christmas Village
1995 – Santa’s New Store
1996 – Fairytale Christmas
1997 – Santa’s Christmas Pantomime
1998 – A Christmas Carol
1999 – Peter Pan
2000 – Christmas in Poodletown
2001 – Santa’s Journey
2003 – Santa’s Workshop
2004 – The Christmas Story
2005 – The Snowman
2006 – Gulliver
2007 – Winter Wonderland
2008 – Oliver Twist
2009 – The Christmas Story
2010 – The Night Before Christmas
2011 – 40 Years of the Fenwick Christmas Window
2012 – The Reindeer Express
2013 – The Fairy Tale Forest
2014 – Alice in Wonderland
2015 – Once Upon a Christmas
2016 – The Magic of Beatrix Potter
2017 – Paddington Bear
2018 – We’re Walking in the Air: The Snowman
2019 – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2020 – The Wind in the Willows
2021 – Shaun the Sheep
2022 – Clarice Bean – Think Like an Elf
2023 – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
2024 – The 12 Days of Christmas
2025 – A Christmas Carol
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