Date and time
Sat 17 & Sun 18 September
11.30am - 4.30pm
Price
FREE family event
Location
Nature Reserve
Please note: Wildlife Connections Festival will be going ahead as planned this weekend.
Get closer to nature than ever before at our FREE 2022 annual Wildlife Connections Festival
We have two jam-packed days with amazing activities that will have you enthralled by the wildlife found right on our doorstep, all set in our stunning Nature Reserve.
All our exciting activities and workshops are FREE!
Click here to see our festival programme!
Join Mwaka and Chantelle in interactive shows!
We’re SO excited to announce that Blue Peter presenter, Mwaka Mudenda and presenter of CBeebies’ Teeny Tiny Creatures and wildlife conservationist, Chantelle Lindsay will be joining us for a WILD weekend! Both Mwaka and Chantelle will be delivering incredible, interactive stage shows, followed by a meet and greet.
Saturday: Mwaka Mudenda
Interactive show 1.30 – 2pm
Meet and greet 2 – 3pm
Sunday: Chantelle Lindsay
Interactive show 1.30 – 2pm
Meet and greet 2 – 3pm
What’s on the STAGE?
Throughout the weekend, there will be loads of amazing live music from local artists!
Saturday 17
| Time | Act |
| 11:30 – 11:50 am | Ava – Bel |
| 12 – 12:25 pm | Erin Kirrane |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Chester Wind Band |
| 1:40 – 2:15 pm | Max and Adam |
| 2:15 – 2:40pm | Gregory George |
| 2:45pm – 3:30pm | Gregory George / Chester Wind Band |
| 3:30pm – 4pm | Sophie Sterry |
| 4pm – 4:30pm | Daisy and Abby |
Sunday 18
| Time | Act |
| 11:30 – 11:50 am | AmaSing Club |
| 12 – 12:30 pm | Eliana |
| 12:30 – 1 pm | Sophie Sterry |
| 1 – 1:30 pm | Handbag of Harmonies |
| 2 – 2:30pm | Proud Marys |
| 2:45pm – 3pm | Harry |
| 3pm – 3:30pm | Chester Scouts |
| 3:45pm – 4:30pm | Chasing Shadows |
FACEPAINTING AND WINGS
Transform yourself into a beautiful butterfly and flutter around our festival field.
Drop-in sessions all day
CONNECTIONS CORNER
Get stuck into a wider range of activities from local wildlife partners.
Drop-in sessions all day
DEN BUILDING
Work together to create an incredible den! Learn about different animal homes and how YOU can help.
Drop-in sessions all day
What’s on IN THE NATURE RESERVE…
We have lots of fun, creative and inspiring activities in our beautiful nature reserve! Drop-in sessions all day!
Hands-on activities exploring the fascinating wildlife that lives here including:
- Mammal Detectives
- Brilliant Birds
- Pond Live
- Bug Basecamp
- Wonderful Wildflowers
Attending the festival
This is a FREE festival and you do not need a ticket or to pre-book – just turn up any time and enjoy!
Accessibility
The festival is on the Chester Zoo car park. It is a flat grassed field.
The nature reserve is a wild flower meadow with a grassed path mowed through it. It can be bumpy and muddy. At the top of the Nature Reserve we have an amphitheatre which is paved.
Refreshments
Some refreshments will be available to purchase. Please be advised we are only able to accept to cash.
Facilities
There will be several portable toilets on site. We have more toilet facilities at the main entrance at the zoo too if you wish to travel a short distance,
At the festival site we have an accessible Changing Places facilities. This is an accessible toilet with adult-sized changing bench, hoist and a friendly attendant.
What to expect
As you can see from the programme, we have lots of exciting activities, special guests and live music happening at the festival. We wanted to let you know that the festival can sometimes be busy with people and loud with music. There is lots of space surrounding the festival and at the nature reserve if you were looking for a quieter area. Please be aware that the area surrounding the festival is a working car park.
Parking
You can park on the Chester Zoo car park for the festival. There is a team of staff that monitor the car park and they would be happy to help if you have any questions.
This event is brought to you in association with:
You’re never too old to have FUN! We’ve got plenty of FANTABULOUS games and activities for you to take part in! Every day is a PLAY DAY at Chester Zoo.