Fenwick Christmas window's Gruffalo theme revealed

Thousands have tuned in to watch the unveiling of this year's Fenwick's Christmas window.

The theme at the Newcastle department store took its inspiration from Dame Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo's Child.

Dame Donaldson said she was "delighted" her book would be part of creating special memories for families in the city this year. "It's wonderful to see The Gruffalo's Child brought to life in such a magical way," she said.

Meanwhile the store's head Mia Fenwick said bringing the Gruffalo to the Christmas window was a "long-held ambition" fulfilled.

The city centre department store's festive display has been a fixture for generations of families since 1971.

For 2026, Fenwick teamed up with Donaldson and German illustrator Axel Scheffler to recreate their 2004 book for the display.

Scheffler said it was a "real pleasure" to see the world of the book brought to life on such a "grand scale".

"It's wonderful to see my illustrations transformed into something so imaginative and full of life," he said.

For the fifth year running, a special score was composed in partnership with the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, and performed by the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

The music reimagined Edvard Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King with sleigh bells and animal sounds, according to the orchestra.

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