The Snowman™ flies over Brighton in a magical tribute to Raymond Briggs

Last night The Snowman™ took flight across Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, inspired by the unforgettable moment from Raymond Briggs’s beloved festive classic and celebrating the magic of illustration 

One of the most beloved moments in children’s literature was brought spectacularly to life in Brighton last night (Monday 2 November), in a dazzling series of projections across Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. Artwork inspired by Raymond Briggs’s timeless classic The Snowman and the book of the film, illuminated the landmark, recreating all the wonder of this beloved story - from the moment the boy and the Snowman take flight and the extraordinary friendship that unfolds over the course of one unforgettable night.  

The event marked Briggs’s deep connection to Brighton and Sussex and the enduring power of illustration to tell stories, spark imaginations and transport readers to other worlds.  

Briggs, who died in 2022, lived and worked near Brighton for many years and had a long association with the area, including teaching illustration at Brighton College of Art, now the University of Brighton. The local landscape also found its way onto the pages of his work. 

Francesca Dow, MD, Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “Raymond had a deep affection for this part of the world and local landmarks frequently found their way into his art. One of my favourite sequences sees the boy and the Snowman soar over the South Downs, the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier, so bringing that flight to life here feels particularly special.  

“It is also a wonderful opportunity, during the National Year of Reading, to celebrate the extraordinary power of illustration in the reading experience. Raymond famously chose to tell The Snowman entirely without words, trusting his pictures to carry us into the story and allowing every reader’s imagination to take flight. Almost 50 years later, it remains one of the most beautiful and enchanting examples of visual storytelling in children’s literature.”  

The spectacular projections were made possible through a special collaboration between Puffin Books, owner of The World of The Snowman™, and Brighton & Hove Museums, bringing together one of Britain’s best-loved stories with one of Brighton’s most recognisable landmarks – and sending The Snowman soaring across the city once more.  

Kate Turnbull, Head of Marketing at Brighton & Hove Museums, said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Puffin Books to bring such a magical piece of storybook history to life. For so many people across the world, seeing the Snowman fly over the Royal Pavilion in Raymond Briggs’s classic illustration was their very first introduction to our magnificent landmark. To see that legendary moment brought back home to our historic facade is an unforgettable way to kick off the festive season, celebrating both local creative heritage and the power of visual storytelling to spark the imagination.” 

 Families can also enjoy a truly festive experience with The Snowman™ at The Brighton Dome where a screening of the classic film will be made even more special by a live orchestra, courtesy of Carrot Productions: https://brightondome.org/whats-on/LxN-the-snowman. 

About Raymond Briggs  

Raymond Briggs was one of Britain’s most respected and beloved author-illustrators, best known for his 1978 classic, The Snowman, and had a long and important connection with Brighton and Sussex.   Born in Wimbledon in 1934, Raymond studied at Wimbledon School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art before becoming a professional illustrator. He won his first Kate Greenaway Medal for The Mother Goose Treasury in 1966 and went on to become one of the most innovative and popular creators in children’s literature.   Brighton played an important role in Raymond’s creative life and career. For many years he taught illustration at Brighton College of Art, now the University of Brighton, sharing his experience with generations of emerging artists and illustrators. He made his home nearby in Westmeston, at the foot of the South Downs, where he lived and worked for much of his later life. His long association with the area made him a significant figure in the creative life of Brighton and Sussex.  

His much-loved works include Father Christmas (1973), Fungus the Bogeyman (1977), The Snowman (1978), When the Wind Blows (1982) and Ethel & Ernest (1998), a moving account of his parents’ lives. His books have been translated into numerous languages and adapted for film, television and the stage.  

Published as a wordless picture book in 1978, The Snowman has sold millions of copies worldwide. Its celebrated animated adaptation was first broadcast on Channel 4 on Boxing Day 1982 and has become an enduring part of Christmas tradition.   Throughout his career, Raymond received numerous awards and accolades, including two Kate Greenaway Medals, the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award and a CBE for services to literature in 2017. His final book, Time for Lights Out, was published in 2019.  

About The Snowman™    

The Snowman was created and illustrated by Raymond Briggs as a picture book, narrated entirely through hand-drawn illustrations and first published in 1978.  Now one of the world’s most popular picture books, The Snowman has sold in excess of 5.5 million copies globally and has been translated into 21 languages.  Adapted for screen by producer John Coates, the Oscar-nominated animation launched on Channel 4 in its inaugural year in 1982 and has been repeated every Christmas since.  The sequel, The Snowman and The Snowdog premiered on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve 2012 and was seen by more than 10 million people over the festive period.      

Website: www.thesnowman.com | Facebook: @OfficialSnowman | Instagram: @OfficialTheSnowman