Durham Cathedral to show The Snowman with live orchestra

Families in the North East are invited to celebrate the festive season with a one-of-a-kind concert experience at Durham Cathedral. On Saturday 6 December 2025, Carrot Productions will present the BAFTA-winning classic The Snowman™, accompanied by a live orchestra, alongside Carrot Productions’ specially commissioned animated film Peter and the Wolf.

Peter and the Wolf has been created in collaboration with Georgian 2D animator and animation director Tsotne Rusishvili. The new work will be presented in tandem with Prokofiev’s classic score, re-shaped for the occasion by Carrot’s long-time arranger and composer Daniel Whibley. Together with The Snowman, it’s a festive double bill destined to capture the hearts of audiences of all ages.

The Cathedral’s historic nave, soaring arches, and exceptional acoustics will provide a stunning backdrop for this family-friendly concert, bringing two of the world’s most beloved stories to life through music, animation, and live performance.

The performance features a professional orchestra drawn from the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, and BBC Concert Orchestra, performing both The Snowman™ and Peter and the Wolf live. Young Cathedral choristers will also take the stage to perform Walking in the Air, giving children a rare opportunity to sing alongside professional musicians in one of the UK’s most iconic venues; an experience many have described as life-changing.

Andrew Usher, Chief Officer for Visitor Experience and Enterprise at Durham Cathedral, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Carrot Productions back to Durham Cathedral for what promises to be a fun and festive day in the Nave. The combination of world-class musicians, stunning animation, and the voices of our own Young Cathedral choristers will create an unforgettable experience for families visiting from across the North East.”

Rachel Whibley, Managing Director of Carrot Productions, said: “We are thrilled to bring the new Peter and the Wolf animation and The Snowman™ to Durham Cathedral. The combination of live music, animation, and young local talent makes this a festive experience families will remember for years.”

At the end of each performance, audiences will also be invited to join Classic FM’s Big Christmas Chorus, singing Walking in the Air alongside the orchestra to raise funds for Global’s Make Some Noise charity.

The Durham date is part of Carrot Productions’ 2025 National Snowman Tour, featuring 31 performances across 12 locations from 30 November to 23 December 2025, including Stockport, Oldham, Derby, Hull, Buxton, Guildford, Birmingham, Salisbury, St Albans, York, and Chester.

Tickets for Durham Cathedral are on sale now here