PBS KIDS is bringing classical music to a new generation with an animated adaptation of Carnival of the Animals, featuring renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The upcoming special combines music, animation, and humor to introduce young children to a beloved classical composition.
Parents looking for entertaining and educational programming for their children have something new to look forward to this November. Carnival of the Animals, a half-hour animated special, premieres Monday, November 16, 2026, on PBS KIDS and PBS stations nationwide.
Families who miss the television premiere will also be able to watch the special for free through the PBS KIDS Video app, connected television devices, and pbskids.org. No subscription is required, making it an accessible option for families looking for quality children’s programming.
The special features music recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl by Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic. PBS KIDS senior vice president Sara DeWitt explained that the network wants to provide families with “intentional, thoughtful content” they can enjoy together.
What Is Carnival of the Animals About?
The animated special follows a young hero living in a colorful animal town as its residents prepare for a carnival parade. When Big Lion’s crown goes missing, the hero embarks on an adventure to find it, encountering chickens, penguins, swans, donkeys, turtles, and elephants along the way.
Rather than relying on traditional dialogue, the production uses music, movement, and visual comedy to tell its story. The film brings together all 14 sections of Saint-Saëns’ composition into one continuous narrative.
Designed for children ages two to eight, the special also includes five companion digital shorts featuring Dudamel and musicians from the LA Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. These shorts introduce children to the instruments responsible for creating the sounds they hear throughout the production.
The History Behind Carnival of the Animals
Although PBS KIDS’ adaptation is new, Carnival of the Animals has a history stretching back more than a century. French composer Camille Saint-Saëns originally composed the musical suite in February 1886.
The composition features 14 movements, each representing a different animal or environment. Its famous sections include The Swan, The Elephant, Kangaroos, and The Aquarium, using different instruments and musical styles to evoke the characteristics of each subject.
Interestingly, Saint-Saëns originally intended the composition as a humorous musical diversion and prohibited its public performance during his lifetime. The complete work was published in 1922, the year after his death, and subsequently became one of his most popular compositions.
