Chester Zoo has revealed plans for the much-anticipated return of its beloved wintertime celebration – The Lanterns.
If you’re unfamiliar with the event or have not been lucky enough to experience it before, now in its tenth year, visitors to The Lanturns are given the unique opportunity to experience the UK’s leading charity zoo after hours on a set trail in the dark.
Not only does the trail take you a collection of spectacular illuminations and colourful lanterns, but you’ll also get to meet some enchanting costumed characters along the way.
Among the many new elements at this year’s festivities will be brand new illuminated characters – including orangutans, butterflies, caterpillars and wolves – as well as a special light show dedicated to celebrating the zoo’s recent 90th birthday that will take visitors on a journey through time as they explore the zoo’s history.
Conservationists say that the event will support the zoo’s crucial work as a wildlife conservation charity.
It will also help with its recovery following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
✨ THE LANTERNS ✨
💖 Get your tickets for the most MAGICAL event of the year💖
❄ Explore spectacular illuminations, colourful lanterns and enchanting characters at our winter wonderland spectacular ❄
Speaking ahead of the event’s return, Gemma Bamford – Senior Admissions and Retail Manager at Chester Zoo – said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to our very special Christmas event, The Lanterns [as] it’s become a firm favourite and something of a family tradition for so many people now, and this year will be more magnificent and magical than ever.
“The event will see the zoo transform into a spectacular winter wonderland, where guests will be welcomed into an exotic world of colour and movement, and where larger than life illuminations and animal characters await.
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“This year’s theme is all about shining a light on species that face a fight for survival in the wild, where numbers of many of these incredible animals are plummeting to worryingly low levels.
Chester Zoo has revealed plans for the much-anticipated return of its beloved wintertime celebration / Credit: Chester Zoo
“Never-before-seen illuminations of orangutans, butterflies, caterpillars and wolves are just a few of the species that will feature as part of our ‘into the wild’ theme [and as] it’s the zoo’s 90th birthday year, another hugely exciting new area will celebrate our anniversary through a special light show [and] take visitors on a journey through time as they explore our history.”
She also confirmed that lots of firm family favourite laturns will be returning as well this year, like Father Christmas, the zebras, elephants, and lions.
Just like last year, the Christmas celebration will again have a restricted capacity due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 – however, the zoo will be offering more timed entry slots than ever before to provide more people with an opportunity to enjoy the festive fun.
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Visitors to The Lanturns are given the unique opportunity to experience the zoo after hours / Credit: Chester ZooConservationists say that the event will support the zoo’s crucial work as a wildlife conservation charity / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s been another strange and challenging year for everyone, so we’re just thrilled to be able to provide our guests with some much needed Christmas cheer,” Gemma added.
“This event is an important step on the road to our recovery after all of the different challenges we’ve faced in recent times, and will help us raise valuable funds, supporting us to continue our mission of preventing extinction all around the world.”
The Lanterns has been created by the zoo in partnership with multi award-winning outdoor arts producers, Wild Rumpus.
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Tickets are now on sale for selected dates from Friday 12 November – Thursday 23 December 2021, with slots available from 4pm – 8.15pm, and tickets for children starting from £11 and adult tickets from £13.
You can find more information and pre-book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
What's On
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season
Emily Sergeant
Father Christmas will be paying a very special visit to one of Manchester’s best tourist attractions this festive season.
And you can now book tickets to take the little ones to meet him.
Now that Halloween has passed and November is here, things are really starting to get all festive across Manchester – especially with the Manchester Christmas Markets and Skate Manchester opening from this Friday – so it really won’t be long before Santa sets off on his present delivery rounds. But before then, he’ll be making a special stop in our city first.
That’s because the Science and Industry Museum is inviting you to meet Father Christmas in the atmospheric surroundings of Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery.
Starting later this month from Saturday 21 November and running on selected dates throughout December, this is your chance to meet the main man himself and his friendly elves in one of the most unique settings in the city – set against a backdrop of iconic locomotives and historic engines.
Formerly a shipping shed for the world’s first inter-city steam-powered passenger railway, Power Hall will once again become a hub for deliveries – only this time, for Father Christmas’ presents.
Visitors will get to explore Power Hall and discover the story of the packages and goods that used to arrive there, before making their way up the platform to meet the big red man and receive a special science-themed gift.
Not only that, but on two special dates – Saturday 21 November and Wednesday 23 December – visitors will be invited to enjoy even more Christmas cheer, as the museum welcomes classic Victorian-costumed carol singers to add to the magical atmosphere.
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season / Credit: Science Museum Group
A number of accessible events will also be running, including BSL supported sessions on the afternoon of Saturday 12 December, and relaxed performances to accommodate a quieter experience and slightly longer time with Father Christmas on both Sunday 29 November and Friday 18 December.
If you want to make a day of it, you’ll also be able to explore the rest of the museum’s free interactive galleries and displays as part of your visit, tuck into some festive food in the museum cafe, and pick up discounted souvenirs in the gift shop before you leave.
Tickets for the Father Christmas at the Museum experience are now on sale, setting you back £15 per child (including a gift) – with accompanying adults going free.
Emily Sergeant -
11th October 2021 
