Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo 2023

Kick-start your Christmas countdown at Chester Zoo and explore a magical festive wonderland that is bigger, better and brighter than ever. Chester Zoo and Sony Music present a light and sound experience that will surround you in festive magic. Give your family precious memories they’ll never forget; encounter new fantastical and colourful worlds, full of animal-inspired illuminations and traditional festive scenes that will leave you with a warm-fuzzy-feeling inside.

Set off on a magical evening of discovery where you will explore new captivating light installations and be transported into enchanting lands filled with colour and festivity, where you can meet orangutans, lions, dolphins and woolly mammoths. Your evening will take you on a journey through new worlds that will have your imagination running wild.

There are loads of new features for 2023 including:

• Festive fairground rides
• Mouthwatering marshmallow toasting
• Meet the stag! Larger than life, pea-lit animal statues
• A giant 3D projection of a life-size woolly mammoth!
• Flickering fire gardens
• A sparkling Forest of light, animated to a bespoke soundtrack
• An Instagram favourite; the towering Winter cathedral
• Neon faces
• Plus, lots of familiar favourites including our stunning lanterns and puppets!

Every ticket purchased will help with Chester Zoo's survival and ultimately their mission of preventing extinction.

Book via the 'Tickets' button above and create family memories that will last a lifetime.

Prices start from £18 Adult, £12 Child (children under 2 and carers FREE), carers will need to take proof of entitlement which can be a PIP Letter or Blue Badge.

There will be Quiet Hours on the following days where capacity will be reduced for guests who need a quieter environment to enjoy the event with time slots at 4 pm.

• Saturday 18 November
• Thursday 23 November
• Friday 24 November
• Saturday 25 November
• Wednesday 29 November
• Wednesday 6 December

Timed tickets give entry every 15 minutes from 4.15 pm to 8 pm with the last entry for The Lanterns at 8.15 pm and the zoo closes at 9.15 pm. The journey around the zoo takes approximately 60 minutes and there are lots of lovely festive feasts for you to enjoy as you travel around.

When you book online you’ll receive an email with your booking confirmation attached which you'll need to take with you on the night of your visit to get entry to the zoo.

There is ample FREE parking at the main entrance to the zoo.

Feel free to take loads of great pictures and share them on social media using #TheLanternsatCZ