Chester Zoo is welcoming back its much-loved Lanterns and Light festival for 2025.
While the immersive installation will bring back many favourites from previous years, the latest edition will aim to exceed expectations with cleverly crafted new features.
Organisers have described plans for the brightest festival to date. Once again, the zoo is partnering with entertainment titans Sony Music, and all funds secured from ticket sales will help support the Chester charity’s ongoing efforts to protect animals and wildlife in the UK and around the world.
Returning visitors to the festival will be heartened to see familiar features full of charm along the trail, like colour shifting woods, illuminated animals and expertly operated puppets depicting species living in the zoo. These will include snow leopards, zebras, penguins, peacocks and meerkats.
Brand new for 2025 are a host of immersive experiences. The “Airquarium” is a dreamlike installation where sea creatures float aglow, while “Submergence” is a glittering tunnel for zoo guests to traverse surrounded by an interactive light show. The “Bubble Walk” is another new feature full of colour and light.
Festive features from past years will ensure the trail has plenty of Christmas cheer. Visitors can enjoy special stations for hot drinks, snacks and marshmallow toasting, massive Christmas baubles, fairground rides and a chance to peek at Father Christmas getting ready for the big day making toys with his team of industrious elves.
Tickets are already on sale at a range of prices. Admission for adults is £19, children £12 and toddlers just £2.50. Babies under the age of one will receive free entry.