Lanterns & Light is a beloved festive feature of award-winning attraction Chester Zoo. The registered charity and tireless conservationist recently shared its plans for 2026 with a list of new features, including the introduction of evenings designed specifically for adults, brand-new animal puppets and a new route.
Created by the zoo in close partnership with Culture Creative and Sony Music, Lanterns & Light is now a firm fixture for the Northwest and North Wales’s festive calendar. In 2025, over 140,000 visitors experienced the trail.
This year, visitors wishing to witness the illuminated extravaganza will have 42 evenings to choose from. However, for the first time to date, there will be two evenings designed just for adults on Thursday, November 19 and Tuesday, December 8.
Past years have seen the interactive life-size puppets of animals become a favourite feature. The cast of animals has been increased for the upcoming edition with skilful puppeteers set to bring dolphins, parrots and a huge polar bear to life in visitor encounters.
To keep the event fresh for guests of previous years, the 2026 trail has been reconfigured and has several brand-new installations. These include a disco tunnel, floating feathers, a pea-lit canopy and a suspended jellyfish underwater display.
Lanterns & Light will now run at Chester Zoo from Tuesday, November 13 to Sunday, January 3. The zoo can be found about 10 to 12 minutes’ drive from Chester city centre.
Admission is already available to buy, with adult tickets priced at £27.50 and at £19.50 for children.