What's on at the zoo?
We have a year-round programme of events to experience the zoo in exciting new ways. Join us, and explore.
Afterglow
Afterglow returns with golden-hour adventures, music, festival food and surprise moments around every corner - all at Chester Zoo.
Book now
Lanterns and 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.
Book now
Run for Nature
Help protect giraffes in the wild with Run for Nature. Face a new challenge, raise vital funds and have a great day at Chester Zoo.
Explore our zoo
With over 37,000 animals from over 500 incredible species, there’s always something to discover at Chester Zoo. Every visit funds vital conservation work both here at the zoo and around the world.
Our work around the world
Plan your visit
The zoo opens daily from 10am.
See full details of our opening times here.
Last admission is 1 hour before the zoo closes.
Last admissions for members is 30 minutes before closing.
The zoo is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Opening times may change depending on special events, please see our T&Cs for further details.
One zoo. Endless adventures.
Take a look at just some of the things that add up to a great value day out…
With over 37,000 animals from over 500 species, there is so much to discover.
Take a trip on the Islands Lazy River boat ride, sit back and enjoy the journey.
Carers and Under 12 months go free with adult admissions.
Leave your car in our spacious car park for FREE.
As a charity, every ticket directly funds our vital conservation work in the UK and across the globe.
We're rated #1 zoo in the UK by Tripadvisor.
Thinking about becoming a member?
Make unlimited visits to the zoo with an annual membership, which also includes a whole host of benefits for you and your family.
Visit the zoo as often as you like, for as much or as little time as you like!
As a member you will also get entry to other selected charitable zoos across the UK.
Use your membership card to get money off when you splash out in any of our cafes and gift shops.
Spread the love and invite your family and friends for a day out on Member Days throughout the year.
Be the first to book tickets to iconic events and receive early-bird discounts.
Never miss a thing with exclusive updates and a quarterly interactive e-magazine.
What our members say
Our commitment to conservation
Every visit, experience, membership and animal adoption supports our vital conservation work across the globe to help nature survive and thrive. Our Conservation Masterplan details our 6 strategic focuses in delivering a better future for nature.
We’re committed to training an additional 5,000 conservationists to deliver conservation across the world.
Through engagement, education and behaviour change, our goal is to empower 10 million people to live more sustainably.
We're working with local partners and supporting sustainable practices to protect and improve landscapes around the world.
Through population management, habitat enhancement, conservation translocation, research and stakeholder engagement.
Using a combination of our expertise, evidence base and collective voice to influence change.
Maintaining and managing individuals and populations of highly threatened species is essential.
We’re committed to training an additional 5,000 conservationists to deliver conservation across the world.
Through engagement, education and behaviour change, our goal is to empower 10 million people to live more sustainably.
We're working with local partners and supporting sustainable practices to protect and improve landscapes around the world.
Through population management, habitat enhancement, conservation translocation, research and stakeholder engagement.
Using a combination of our expertise, evidence base and collective voice to influence change.
Maintaining and managing individuals and populations of highly threatened species is essential.