Our fourth art trail has been confirmed for Summer 2026!

Following the success of Great North Snowdogs in 2016, Elmer’s Great North Parade in 2019 and Shaun on the Tyne in 2023, we are excited to announce that we’ll be bringing a fourth art trail to the region next summer!

Created in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, the larger-than-life art project will see 40 specially designed sculptures bring colour and conversation to the streets of Newcastle and surrounding areas. The trail will coincide with the 40^th anniversary of the hospice first opening its doors in 1986.

Who will be the star of the show?

The chosen sculpture remains top secret for now, with the big reveal happening this April. The trail is planned to run for ten weeks from July 2026 to form an art trail for visitors and locals alike to enjoy throughout the summer. As well as raising awareness of and funds for St Oswald’s Hospice, the trail aims to give something back to the North East communities who have supported us throughout our 40 years of caring for people from across the region.

The project has already been many months in the planning and now the momentum is growing with a callout for local businesses and organisations to consider getting involved with sponsoring a sculpture or lending other practical support.

Our Head of Fundraising, Jane Hogan said: “After three very successful art trails, we are delighted to be preparing to reveal a brand-new character who will grace Newcastle’s streets next summer. As always, the free trail will be accessible and open to everyone, a fun, positive and colourful way to encourage people to get outside and explore our beautiful region.

“Our chosen sculpture remains a secret for now, but we are very confident that everyone will love it as much as we do, and like its predecessor Shaun, they will be a very familiar face indeed!”

With Shaun on the Tyne raising more than £300,000 for the hospice, St Oswald’s Hospice is keen to make the 2026 art trail an even bigger success. Newcastle Council has already signed up as the Headline Partner and will work with St Oswald’s Hospice to deliver an inclusive trail for all to enjoy. The sculptures will be located in the city centre and surrounding areas and will be accessible by public transport and cycle routes.

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “St Oswald’s is one of the great institutions of our city, providing incredible levels of care and compassion for people and their families at the most difficult of times.

“We’re hugely proud to be sponsoring their 2026 art trail as we have in previous years, helping St Oswald’s raise the vital funds it needs to continue its extremely important work.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what will be following in the footsteps of the Snowdog, Elmer and Shaun who all brought so much joy to residents and visitors alike in previous years’ trails.”

As well as the 40 large sculptures there will be around 60 smaller figurines created as part of the trail education project which will engage and inspire young people in schools throughout Tyne and Wear and the surrounding area.

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art said: “We are very excited to be working with St Oswald’s Hospice for the fourth time and they have picked a fantastic sculpture which we know will be brilliantly received once announced. This trail will bring businesses, the creative sector and communities together and it will be the must-visit event in the region in 2026. We can’t wait to get started!”

There are less than 40 sculptures available, and locations will be on a first come first choice basis, so businesses are encouraged to make early enquiries. Businesses interested in supporting the project through sponsorship or other means should contact us by emailing supportercare@stoswaldsuk.org or by telephone on 0191 246 9123.

News of who our trail character is will be revealed in early April. Watch this space for the big reveal!