The 2026 Fenwick's Window theme has been revealed as The Gruffalo's Child, with the annual Newcastle festive tradition drawing a huge global audience for the curtain drop on Sunday evening.
The reveal event at the Northumberland Street store featured song and dance from a cast of performers from 6.30pm, before Santa arrived and led a countdown from 10. The curtain then dropped to unveil Fenwick's re-telling of Julia Donaldson's book and TV film, The Gruffalo's Child.
Global Viewers Tune In
Comments on the Fenwick YouTube channel showed people watching from far and wide. One viewer posted: "Well that was just lovely! We watched you from Canada!" Another reacted: "Happy Christmas, absolutely love this annual tradition. Now Going Global. Magic Moments In Time."
Fencing and a short road closure around the store meant only invited guests saw the reveal in person on Sunday, before the Window officially opens to the public on Monday.
A Long-Standing Tradition
Fenwick's Window is a festive tradition dating back to the early 1970s, when crowds enjoyed early displays such as Camberwick Green, Aladdin, Rupert the Bear and Treasure Island. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, a Fenwick's Window was still staged, with The Wind in the Willows display enjoyed at a social distance in the run-up to Christmas 2020.
Other themes over the last decade have included Paddington, Beatrix Potter, Chronicles of Narnia and last year's A Christmas Carol, which was championed as one of Fenwick's best displays for some time.
