The annual visit to see Fenwick's Christmas Window has been a festive tradition for generations of families and soon the crowds will be turning out in force again to see this year's display, which is being described as its best yet.
While the theme is always kept firmly under wraps until the very last minute, the city store has announced the date of the big reveal as November 6. As it prepares to transform the giant front windows facing onto Northumberland Street, it says the launch once again will be a virtual one.
In the past two years, when the pandemic saw a move away from the usual public unveiling, which attracted masses of people, Fenwick hosted a live-stream on Facebook. This time there won't be a live-stream but the theme will be revealed on its social channels and YouTube.
Read more: Prices of all Fenwick's Christmas events
And it is asking the crowds to keep away from the store on launch night itself, adding that the window will be screened from view but that families can afterwards visit at their leisure throughout the festive season. Fenwick, which has hosted a Christmas window for more than 50 years, says this year's much-anticipated event will be shown on its official YouTube channel on the evening of Sunday, November 6 and the window then will be open for public viewing from Monday, November 7 right up to early January.
Those wanting to watch the reveal of 2022's theme can subscribe to its channel or follow Fenwick’s social media channels. A spokeswoman said: "On the evening of the reveal, the public are kindly asked not to travel to Northumberland Street to watch in person.
"A section of Northumberland Street will be closed to the public, making the window and surrounding area not viewable." However, a small number of invited guests will be allowed to attend."
Kieran McBride, director of the Fenwick Newcastle store, which recently announced its full programme of festive events, said: “This year’s Christmas window promises to be as spectacular as ever, and we’re delighted to be able to reveal its magic to viewers all over the world on our YouTube channel as well as the local community in person throughout the festive season.
"We’ve been working closely with the local council to avoid overcrowding which is why we will be closing Northumberland Street again this year. It’s really important for us to give back to the local community and, with this in mind, a small group of children from local schools and hospitals, as well as our charity partners will be invited to the reveal evening."
In a message to the public, he added: "We look forward to welcoming everyone to view the window reveal wherever you are in the world and experiencing Christmas at Fenwick which is sure to be our best yet.” Those wanting to subscribe to the store's YouTube channel to watch the unveiling can do so here.
All Fenwick's Christmas Window displays
1971 Camberwick Green – based on a popular children’s TV series
1972 Chigley
1973 Rupert Meets Santa
1974 Sooty’s Circus
1975 Aladdin
1976 Fairytale Christmas with Cinderella
1977 Treasure Island
1978 Storybook Christmas
1979 Wonderful world of Pantomime
1980 A Christmas Carol
1981 Alice in Wonderland
1982 Arabian Nights
1983 Fly to Fenwick’s for Christmas (based on a space theme)
1984 Gulliver – featuring a massive Gulliver, whose body filled the whole shop frontage
1985 Fairytale Christmas with Pinocchio
1986 Christmas Circus
1987 Magical Winter Wonderland (creatures skating and skiing)
1988 Purrfect for Christmas (all the figures were cats and dogs)
1989 Jungle Fantasy
1990 Good Old Santa (Santa and elves preparing for Christmas)
1991 It’s A White Christmas (Jack Frost, a Snowman, a talking Tree and Santa)
1992 Santa’s Christmas Party (with panto and nursery rhyme characters)
1993 Alice in Wonderland
1994 Christmas Village
1995 Santa’s New Store
1996 Fairytale Christmas (with Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty)
1997 Santa’s Christmas Pantomime
1998 A Christmas Carol
1999 Peter Pan
2000 Christmas in Poodletown
2001 Santa’s Journey (Santa and helper Englebert the Polar Bear)
2002 Christmas in Another World
2003 Santa’s Workshop
2004 The Christmas Story (Nativity)
2005 The Snowman (famous Raymond Briggs story)
2006 Gulliver (a return journey for Gulliver)
2007 Winter Wonderland
2008 Oliver Twist (with soundtrack featuring all songs from the musical)
2009 The Christmas Story (Nativity)
2010 The Night Before Christmas (Toymaker Express!)
2011 40 Years Of The Fenwick Christmas Window
2012 The Reindeer Express
2013 The Fairy Tale Forest
2014 Alice in Wonderland
2015 Once Upon A Christmas
2016 The Magic of Beatrix Potter
2017 Love from Paddington
2018 We’re Walking in the Air
2019 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2020 The Wind in the Willows Story
2021 Shaun the Sheep
Read Next
