- Light Trails
- All Ages
- Bookable
Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo · Chester, Cheshire · 13th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
About this event
Lanterns and Light returns to Chester Zoo for 2026, running from Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It is an after-dark illuminated trail around the zoo, delivered with Sony Music, with spectacular scenes and displays built for the winter evenings.
Entry is by time slot. The event page gives the evening as 16:30 to 20:00, and the booking calendar offers slots every 15 minutes from 16:15 to 19:00. Anytime tickets let you arrive at any point between 16:30 and 19:00 on your chosen night, and Any Date tickets let you pick both the date and time later.
Prices vary by date and time, and all tickets, adult and child, are £12 for slots from 18:30 onwards in November. Toddlers aged 1 to 2 are £2.50, under 1s and carers go free, and members get an automatic discount without needing a code or login, although membership does not include entry.
Quiet hour sessions start at 16:00 on 20, 21 and 26 November and 3 December. Two adult-only evenings on 19 November and 8 December are for over 18s only, so families should avoid those dates. Children under 17 must be with an adult, and groups of 15 or more book through groups@chesterzoo.org.
£12 tickets on late November slots
Every ticket, adult or child, is £12 for time slots from 18:30 onwards in November, against up to £27.50 adult and £19.50 child at peak. Toddlers aged 1 to 2 are £2.50 all season and under 1s are free.
Quiet hours for a calmer visit
Quiet hour sessions start at 16:00 on 20, 21 and 26 November and 3 December, before the main evening slots, for families who would rather walk the trail with fewer people around.
Flexible Anytime and Any Date tickets
Anytime tickets let you arrive whenever suits between 16:30 and 19:00 on your night, and Any Date tickets leave both the date and the time open, which helps with small children and winter weather.
Plan your visit
Dates and times
13th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Event page: 16:30 - 20:00
Booking slots every 15 minutes, 16:15 - 19:00
Anytime tickets: arrive 16:30 - 19:00
Quiet hour 16:00 on 20, 21 and 26 November and 3 December
Adult-only evenings 19 November and 8 DecemberAges
All Ages
Parking
There is free onsite parking available.
Free disabled parking at the main entrance. Just let the car park attendant know when you arrive and they will direct you.
Getting there
By Train
Chester Zoo is a couple of miles from Chester Station and Bache Station.
By Bus
You can take the Stagecoach 1 & X1 Service from Chester to Liverpool, as well as the PR3 and 5 buses, which run seven days a week.
By Car
Chester Zoo is not far from the M56 or Chester city centre. Follow the motorway signs to Chester, then follow the brown tourist zoo signs.
Once on the A41, stay on that road until you reach a roundabout with signs for Chester Zoo. Don’t turn down Flag Lane North; it’s a dead end.
VIP Pass
Members save at selected Christmas days out
Frequently Asked Questions
Most asked questions relating to Christmas.
From Santa's grottos and magical light trails to winter farm parks, theme park celebrations and immersive festive experiences, the UK has plenty of Christmas days out for all ages. Our Christmas Events hub highlights the most popular and top-rated options to help you choose the perfect adventure.
