A magical ‘Walking with The Snowman™’ Art Trail continues to run with a special map created by children’s illustrator, Olaf Falafel at Fleet Street Quarter

As one of the most heart-warming and cherished Christmas stories of our time, THE SNOWMAN™ is a timeless classic, loved by children and adults alike. This Christmas, a Festive Fleet Street Quarter programme of events will continue its magical trail, ‘Walking with The Snowman™’ that plays homage to the animation and the original picture book by the late Raymond Briggs.

First published in 1978 as a wordless picture book by Puffin, The Snowman has gone on to sell over 5.5 million copies. Channel 4 have broadcast the film adaption every year since 1982, which is watched by millions of families who have made viewing The Snowman an integral part of their Christmas tradition.

Families and visitors will be able to discover 12 decorated Snowman sculptures throughout the Quarter over the Christmas break and into the New Year, in a partnership with Wild in Art and Penguin Random House Children’s. Fleet Street Quarter’s free festival trail will continue to run until Friday 5 January, encouraging visitors to find the individually painted sculptures – designed by various artists and inspired by the carol, ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ – nestled in streets such as Chancery Lane, New Street Square, Ludgate Hill and Fleet Street.

The Snowman sculptures will stand at 1.6m tall on recyclable plinths made from waste plastic and have an accompanying plaque to detail the artist and their inspiration for their designs.

Amongst those to be featured is Birmingham based illustrator and designer Jessica Perrin, who takes on Twelve Drummers with a gingerbread-esque Snowman that immediately evokes the sprit (and aroma) of Christmas! A marching band made up of twelve tiny drumming mice are featured on its reverse and is finished with intricate floral and festive symbols in piped white icing.

Alongside Perrin is Manchester based artist Jenny Leonard, whose tribute to Four Calling Birds is a cheeky modern play on words. Featuring the capital’s skyline, landmarks and iconic symbols, this Snowman will be right at home in the Big Smoke.

Lucy French, CEO of the Fleet Street Quarter, comments, “Forty-five years after Raymond Briggs’ classic picture book was published, the Fleet Street Quarter is excited to partner with Wild in Art and Penguin Random House Children’s to showcase a number of exceptional artists in this festive way.
“We encourage everyone to walk around the Quarter and discover the Christmas collection of snowmen and after finding all 12, they too, could be walking in the air!”

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder at Wild in Art, said, “We’re really excited to continue our ongoing partnership with Penguin Random House Children’s for this year’s ‘Walking with The Snowman’ trail. Visitors to Fleet Street Quarter will discover the magic of the trail and see how the artists have brought Raymond Briggs’ iconic character to life.”

Izzy Richardson, Global Owned Brands Director at Penguin Random House Children’s said, “Our longstanding and valued partnership with Wild in Art continues to bring the timeless magic of The Snowman to families around the UK. We are thrilled that ‘Walking with The Snowman’ will arrive at Fleet Street Quarter this winter and look forward to seeing the unique and beautifully decorated sculptures in this new location.”
Set amongst a backdrop of beautiful architecture, Fleet Street Quarter is home to a whole host of iconic cultural locations, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés.

How to get there: The closest stations are Farringdon and Chancery Lane with access from the Central Line, Circle and District and mainland Thameslink lines.

To view the full Christmas programme, please visit www.fleetstreetquarter.co.uk