Christmas Family Day: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse at RNCM

There’s no better time than Christmas to introduce children to the magic of live music. And Manchester’s RNCM has a pretty special way of doing just that. Their much-loved Christmas Family Day returns this December, bringing together film, live orchestral music and a host of festive activities for families to enjoy.

This year’s centrepiece is a screening of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, the beautiful animated adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s bestselling illustrated book. And there’s a lovely twist. Rather than simply watching the film, audiences will hear its soundtrack performed live by RNCM musicians, bringing an extra dimension to the story.

For anyone unfamiliar with the book, it follows a young boy who encounters a mole, a fox and a horse as he searches for home. Along the way, the unlikely companions share their thoughts on friendship, kindness, courage and the occasional importance of cake. It’s a gentle, beautifully illustrated story with some surprisingly big ideas tucked into its simple conversations.

The animated film, featuring music by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2023. With its hand-drawn style and thoughtful storytelling, it’s the sort of Christmas viewing that might also have the adults reaching for a tissue.

Of course, this is a family day rather than just a film screening, with festive activities to enjoy alongside the performance. There are two sessions to choose from, at 10am and 1.30pm, giving families plenty of flexibility around their Christmas plans.

For younger audiences, it’s a chance to experience the thrill of a live orchestra in an accessible, family-friendly setting. For grown-ups, it’s an opportunity to share a story about friendship and finding your place in the world. And with Christmas just around the corner, that’s not a bad way to spend a Sunday.