Lanterns & Light
The North West’s must-see festive light experience is back for 2025, with more dates than ever before, and even more magic to discover!
Friday 14 November - Saturday 3 January
More dates than ever before, even more magic to discover.16:30 - 20:00
Our most popular time slots will sell out quickly
Experience the magic of Lanterns and Light from just £12
Members: please call 01244 380280 or visit the ticket office to book with your discount.
Discover the wonders that await you at Lanterns & Light
From glowing tunnels and interactive puppets to joyful rides, festive treats and unforgettable memories.
New for 2025
We've partnered with Sony Music once again to bring you a seasonal light experience that’s more immersive, more interactive and more unforgettable than ever.
- Immersive walk-through illuminations
Walk through glowing ribbons, rainbow arches and bubbles - new installations designed to surround you with colour, movement and light.
- Magical moments made to share
Capture unforgettable memories with photo opportunities at every turn, and enjoy fairground rides, festive food and joyful experiences for all ages.
- And that’s just the beginning...
Look out for suspended kaleido stars, fire gardens, laser-lit trees and plenty more surprises as you follow this enchanted light trail.
Interactive animal puppets
Look out for snow leopards, zebras, peacocks and penguins - created just for Chester Zoo and brought to life by skilled performers.
Families from across Cheshire, Liverpool, Manchester and beyond return year after year to experience Chester Zoo’s magical Christmas light trail.
Just a short journey to the magic
Getting to Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo is easy, wherever you're coming from.
We’re just a few miles from Chester and Bache train stations, with great transport links from across the region. If you’re arriving by car, we’re close to the M56 and Chester city centre, with free on-site parking available every night.
- 35 minutes from Liverpool
- 50 minutes from Manchester
- 50 minutes from Crewe
- 1 hour 40 minutes from Birmingham
From sketch to spotlight: The making of our Lanterns & Light puppets
Go behind the scenes to see how our snow leopard puppets were imagined, designed and brought to glowing life for Lanterns & Light. From early sketches and sculpted faces to handcrafted fur and hidden lights, discover the creativity and teamwork that turn an idea on paper into something truly magical on the trail.
New for 2025: Stay over at The Reserve
This year, you don't have to let the magic end when the trail does.
After Lanterns and Light, skip the drive home and settle in at The Reserve - our brand-new safari-style lodges, right here at the zoo.
Enjoy dinner at the Amboseli restaurant, grab a drink at the bar, join one of our evening activities, or simply head back to your lodge to relax and recharge.
In the morning, wake up to views of the savannah or lake, enjoy breakfast and get early access to the zoo before it opens to the public.
Quiet hour at Lanterns & Light
On selected dates, we’re offering a quiet hour at 4pm - designed to create a calmer, more accessible experience for those who prefer a quieter visit.
Visitor numbers will be limited during this time to support a more relaxed environment across the trail.
Available on 15, 21, 22 & 27 November and 4 December.
Your exclusive member discount
As a Chester Zoo member, you can get 10% off Lanterns and Light tickets.
To book with your discount, call 01244 380280 or visit the ticket office in person.
Not a member? Become a member to enjoy an exclusive discount on Lanterns and Light tickets, plus unlimited entry to the zoo and lots of other benefits.
