Families across the North East are invited to enjoy an afternoon of film and live music when Aardman in Concert comes to O2 City Hall Newcastle on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The show is presented by Carrot Productions in partnership with Aardman, celebrating 50 years of the animation studio behind some of Britain's best-loved characters.
Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and Creature Comforts all feature in a live orchestral experience designed for lifelong fans and newcomers alike. The performance combines classic film moments with a live orchestra, bringing together the stories, humour and characters that have become part of everyday family life.
What to expect at the concert
The first half takes audiences on a journey through Aardman's five-decade history with a specially created montage sequence and score. It showcases Wallace & Gromit's most daring adventures, Shaun the Sheep's funniest moments and appearances from many familiar faces.
The second half features a full screening of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, accompanied live by the orchestra. When Wallace takes in a mysterious new lodger, Gromit quickly becomes suspicious of the coolly calculating Feathers McGraw. What follows includes daring heists, ingenious inventions and one of the greatest chase sequences ever committed to clay.
Wallace & Gromit's record-breaking popularity
The enduring popularity of Wallace & Gromit shows no sign of slowing down. Released on Christmas Day 2024, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl became the most-watched animated film in the UK since modern records began, with 21.6 million viewers in 28 days, introducing the beloved duo to a new generation.
Rachel Whibley, Managing Director of Carrot Productions, said: "Celebrating 50 years of Aardman with a live orchestra feels incredibly special. These are characters many of us grew up with, and now we're seeing families bring their own children to experience them live. O2 City Hall Newcastle has such a wonderful history of welcoming audiences for live music, so it's a fantastic place to celebrate Aardman's milestone year. Creating something that parents, children and grandparents can enjoy together is exactly what Carrot, and our friends at Aardman, are about."
Molly Van Den Brink, Senior Attractions & Live Experiences Manager at Aardman, said: "What better way to continue our longstanding partnership with Carrot Productions than celebrating our 50th anniversary together, allowing fans of all ages the chance to experience our favourite Aardman moments from the last 50 years in such a joyful and uplifting concert, while introducing children to the wonder of a live orchestra."
Together, the film and live performance showcase the wit, creativity and craftsmanship that have made Aardman a fixture of family life for five decades, creating an experience audiences of all ages can enjoy together.
A long-standing creative partnership
The show builds on Carrot Productions' partnership with Aardman, including the award-winning Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels. That production was created for a 38-performance tour in 2019 and premiered at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. It was attended by Nick Park and Julian Nott, who both studied and met at the school, where A Grand Day Out was first conceived. It went on to win Best Licensed Live Event at the Licensing Excellence Awards 2020.
The Newcastle performance is part of the wider Aardman in Concert 2026 tour, which will visit venues across the country. More information and tickets are available for the August 30, 2026 show at O2 City Hall Newcastle.
