Nature Fest
Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 September
11:30am - 4:30pm
Join us at our Nature Reserve - follow directions from the Chester Zoo car park where signage will direct you to the festival site.
FREE admission for all visitors!
Discover the wonders of UK wildlife at Nature Fest
Join us for the tenth annual Nature Fest (previously known as Wildlife Connections Festival), a fun-filled, free-to-enter event celebrating the beauty of native wildlife and plant life conservation. Held at the Chester Zoo Nature Reserve and easily accessible via the main zoo car park, this event is perfect for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about connecting with nature.
What to expect
Whether you're looking to learn more about the wildlife on your doorstep, get creative with nature-inspired crafts, or simply spend quality time together outdoors, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Explore interactive activities, listen to conservation talks and discover simple ways you can help nature thrive at home and in your community.
Don't miss out on a fantastic weekend of family fun and wildlife discovery.
Learn more about the wildlife around us and discover the small actions that can make a big difference to nature.
- Wildlife recording
- Helping nature hub
- Nature talks and tips
- Your wildlife garden
Get creative, learn new skills and experience nature in a whole new way with a range of nature-inspired activities.
- Habitat making
- Nature adventure
- Animal yoga
- Zen den
Alongside our nature-themed activities, enjoy family entertainment throughout the day.
- Face painting
- Butterfly wings
- Build, make and play
- Stage acts - enjoy community acts on our outdoor stage
- Swallow puppets
Take a seat and learn something new with our programme of fascinating talks, covering everything from bats and wildflower meadows to peatlands, conservation and the power of nature for wellbeing.
Saturday Talks
11:45am - 12:30pm
Wellbeing in Nature
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Creating Communities
1:30pm - 2:00pm
Bat Chat
2:30pm - 3:00pm
How to Sow a Wildflower Meadow and Why
3:30pm - 4:00pm
The Importance of Our Peatlands
Sunday Talks
11:45am - 12:30pm
Wellbeing in Nature
12:30pm - 1:00pm
Bat Chat
1:30pm - 2:00pm
Conserving the Endangered Scarce Yellow Sally: A Buglife and Chester Zoo Collaboration on the River Dee
2:30pm - 3:00pm
How to Sow a Wildflower Meadow and Why
3:30pm - 4:00pm
The Importance of Our Peatlands
Something for everyone
Learn how we can protect UK wildlife
Enjoy hands-on activities with our rangers including habitat making.
Create family memories
With something for all ages, enjoy connecting as a family.
Enjoy festival vibes
With live music, face-painting and chill-out zones, take all the sights and sounds in at your own pace.