AARDMAN
Global Experiences with world-class character
Aardman’ s Attractions & Live Experiences team specialise in creating immersive experiences which appeal to and engages with the whole family. Working with partners around the world, the team use the Studio’ s multi-award-winning characters, and wealth of creative talent to bring unique storylines and interactive experiences to life. Combining entertainment and education across its attractions and events is integral, as well as supporting and promoting its brands’ values and increasing awareness on a global scale, whilst simultaneously and proudly upholding Aardman’ s renowned production quality.
2026 marks the studio’ s landmark 50th anniversary, celebrated through a programme of live events and exhibition launches, alongside further expansion into key territories and a continued focus on digital innovation. Although varied in nature, each activation champions the craft and legacy of Aardman, inviting audiences to play an active role in the anniversary celebrations. The year also sees the release of a new feature film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, launching in autumn. The film will set the foundation for Shaun’ s next global moment in 2027, coinciding with the Lunar Year of the Sheep. This will be amplified by a dynamic international campaign and the 20th anniversary of Shaun the Sheep, building on the momentum of Shaun the Sheep’ s successful licensing programmes across China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Longleat: The Festival of Light
To mark the start of Aardman’ s 50th anniversary celebrations, Aardman brought its much-loved characters to The Festival of Light at Longleat in Wiltshire, running from November 2025 to January 2026. British Icons: with Wallace & Gromit and Friends saw Aardman characters presented in illuminated lantern form for the very first time, combining the meticulous craft of Chinese lantern making with Aardman’ s distinctive characters to bring both worlds vividly to life, while also celebrating Longleat’ s rich heritage, with its 60th anniversary as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa in 2026. This was Longleat’ s most successful‘ The Festival of Light’ to date, attracting around 250,000 visitors, as well as stocking a sold-out range of bespoke merchandise.
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends
Running from 12th February – 15th November 2026, Aardman unveiled Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, a 500sqm exhibition at Young V & A in London, one of the UK’ s most respected and internationally acclaimed museums for creativity and design. The exhibition marked the museum’ s most successful launch to date, with unprecedented ticket and retail sales. It invites visitors behind the scenes of Aardman’ s films and extensive archive, offering an inspiring, hands-on introduction to the creative skills behind stop-motion animation. With the exhibition set to tour internationally from Spring 2027, Aardman are seeking museum partners and cultural destinations across the globe.
Shaun the Sheep 30th Anniversary exhibition, Japan
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shaun the Sheep’ s first appearance, Aardman’ s Shaun the Sheep with Wallace & Gromit exhibition opened at the Tokyo Anime Centre in Shibuya in June 2025, achieving record breaking success. Visitor numbers significantly exceeded targets and merchandise sales were the highest of any Shaun exhibition in the territory. The exhibition attracted a broad mix of young people, families and tourists, with high profile appearances from influencer Tomoya Nakamura, adding star power and credibility. The inclusion of Wallace & Gromit highlighted the growing reach and appeal of Aardman’ s wider character portfolio, building on Shaun the Sheep’ s established popularity in Japan. The exhibition continues to tour venues in Japan until the end of 2027.
Spacetoon Events
To mark the start of Aardman’ s 50th anniversary celebrations, Aardman brought its much-loved characters to The Festival of Light at Longleat in Wiltshire, running from November 2025 to January 2026. British Icons: with Wallace & Gromit and Friends saw Aardman characters presented in illuminated lantern form for the very first time, combining the meticulous craft of Chinese lantern making with Aardman’ s distinctive characters to bring both worlds vividly to life, while also celebrating Longleat’ s rich heritage, with its 60th anniversary as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa in 2026. This was Longleat’ s most successful‘ The Festival of Light’ to date, attracting around 250,000 visitors, as well as stocking a sold-out range of bespoke merchandise.
20