Fans of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and Creature Comforts can enjoy an evening of film and live music in Manchester this October half term as Carrot Productions presents Aardman in Concert. Taking place on Friday 23rd October at the Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium, audiences can celebrate 50 years of the iconic animation studio through an immersive concert built around some of Britain’s best-loved characters.
Perfect for lifelong fans and new audiences alike, Aardman in Concert pairs classic film moments with a live orchestra to celebrate the animation studio’s beloved characters. The Manchester performance is part of the nationwide Aardman in Concert 2026 tour, which brings the experience to venues across the country, including Birmingham, London, Salisbury, Guildford, Bristol, York, Newcastle, Leicester, Nottingham, and Chester.
What to expect at Aardman in Concert
The performance’s first half explores five decades of studio history, opening with a custom-scored montage that highlights Wallace & Gromit‘s wildest escapades, Shaun the Sheep‘s funniest scenes, and iconic appearances from across the Aardman universe. The second half features a full screening of Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death, accompanied live by the orchestra.
In the film, Wallace and Gromit run their ‘Top Bun’ bakery while a mysterious serial killer stalks the town’s bakers. With Wallace distracted by a romance with Piella Bakewell and danger closing in, it’s once again up to Gromit to step in and save the day.
“Celebrating 50 years of Aardman with a live orchestra feels incredibly special.”
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.
“Manchester has a proud creative heritage and a long association with animation and storytelling, so it feels like the perfect 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.”
This production builds on Carrot Productions’ ongoing creative partnership with Aardman, following the success of Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels. Premiering at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield — where creators Nick Park and Julian Nott first met and A Grand Day Out was conceived — the 38-show 2019 tour won Best Licensed Live Event at the 2020 Licensing Excellence Awards.
How to get tickets to Aardman in Concert
Tickets for Aardman in Concert at Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium are on sale here. Adult tickets start from £25 plus booking fee and children tickets start from £21 plus booking fee.
