We know it’s a bit early for the C word with it being summer right now, but Chester Zoo has announced quite the news for this year’s festive season. Chester Zoo has revealed plans for what it says will be the “biggest and brightest” winter event, featuring an all new light trail for Christmas known as Lanterns and Light, with never seen before installations.
The zoo is partnering with music giants Sony Music / RGL and Culture Creative, the team behind popular worldwide events such as Christmas at Kew Gardens, Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Dark Spectrum and numerous other seasonal light trails, attracting over 10m attendees. Organisers say the event, which will take place from November 17, will combine elements from the zoo’s long-running wintertime event, The Lanterns, which has been a festive staple at the zoo for the last 12 years, with a host of “extraordinary” new features.
Among the many new additions will be a 15m-long 3D mammoth hologram, which will be making its UK debut, illuminated dolphins emerging from waterways, a walkway of gigantic pea lit animals and an impressive fire garden. Guests can wonder at the colour changing displays stretching as far as the eye can see, while birds and stars adorn the zoo’s winding paths and trees, as well as take a walk through the spectacular Winter Cathedral tunnel of lights and even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas in his sleigh.
Dominic Strange, Chester Zoo’s Commercial Director, said: “Everyone knows what a special place the zoo is by day. But this winter, by night, our new Lanterns and Light event will transform it into a spectacular, truly unique festive light trail that’ll be like no other.
“Building on the tremendous success of our previous annual winter evening event, The Lanterns, we’ve partnered with Sony Music and Culture Creative to create an extraordinary festive experience that promises to be bigger, better, and brighter than ever before.
“This will be a delightful fusion of the nostalgic and the new. While still honouring all of the charm and many old favourites from times gone by, such as our interactive puppets, animal lanterns and, of course, Father Christmas. Our fresh new look, and all of the many new elements we’re adding, will make Lanterns and Light an experience that truly is beyond compare. We can’t wait to share it with our visitors.
“Most importantly of all though, Lanterns and Light will not only give families the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas and create cherished memories, it’ll also support our charitable efforts to protect some of the world’s most threatened species.”
The special Lanterns and Light event at Chester Zoo will run throughout evenings in November and December. Ticket sales from the event will support the zoo’s crucial charitable efforts to help nature to survive and thrive. Tickets start from £12 and to get your hands on tickets, head to Chester Zoo’s booking page here.