It’s been a whole decade since the Grand Appeal first brought their incredible Wallace and Gromit trail to the city, and it’s hard to deny, we Bristolians love it. Which is why we’re pretty pleased to hear that Gromit Unleashed is finally set to return (bigger and better than ever before, may we add) in 2025.
Confirming the news just today, the Grand Appeal will team up with Aardman on the trail – the Bristol-based animation studio that created the iconic characters – for the first time since 2018, bringing Wallace and Gromit to life once again for a family-friendly interactive trail.
While plans are being kept under wraps for now, what we do know is that we can expect “top technology, immersive experiences and new creativity”, alongside, of course, plenty of Wallace and Gromit sculptures to uncover across the city.
The event has taken place with huge success twice already – once in 2013 and again in 2018 – helping to raise a record-setting £2.3 million for Bristol Children’s Hospital during its first stint. Fans were greeted with dozens of interactive sculptures, augmented reality experiences and so much more, bringing the classic cartoon to life in a whole new way.
Another iteration of the event also took place in 2015, this time, with a focus on Shaun the Sheep.
Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal, said: “We had no idea in 2013 that Gromit Unleashed would grow into the global brand it is now. Personally, it’s one that is incredibly close to my heart. It’s been nearly 30 years since The Grand Appeal was founded.
“In that time, there have been so many career-defining moments – but Gromit Unleashed has stolen its fair share of them! I will never forget the moment the first Gromits arrived in the city on the back of the steam train driven by Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park at the M-Shed, the 6-hour-long queue to see the Greatest Dog Show on Earth exhibition at the former Habitat store in Clifton, or the elation we all felt as the very first sculpture went under the hammer at our auction at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.
“Now, we are ready to embrace Bristol’s pioneering, innovative, creative spirit and Gromit’s inventiveness to deliver a new sculpture trail in Bristol in 2025, with our partners at Aardman.”
Dates are yet to be confirmed, however, stay tuned for all the details as they’re revealed.