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Chester Zoo reveals new plans for ‘spectacular’ winter light trail

Is it too early to mention the 'C' word?

Emily Sergeant - 15th July 2024

Chester Zoo has revealed new plans for a “spectacular” lights trail this winter, and it sounds even more magical than ever.

Is it too early to mention the ‘C’ word? Probably, considering it is the middle of July… but despite how far in advance it may seem, Chester Zoo has wasted absolutely no time at all in revealing exciting plans for the return of its massively-popular lights trail this winter.

Lanterns and Light is by far one of the UK’s largest charity zoo’s best-loved events each year, so it’s absolutely no surprise to hear it’s making a 2024 comeback.

Set to feature a raft of new additions, and therefore more animal lantern puppets than ever before, the zoo is promising that this year’s Lanterns and Light will be even longer and “more exciting” than what visitors saw in back in 2023 – with the event running all the way through to New Year’s Day for the first time in its history.

The zoo will be teaming up with entertainment giants, Sony Music, once again to deliver this year’s beloved festive spectacle.

Chester Zoo has revealed new plans for the return of its ‘spectacular’ winter light trail / Credit: Chester Zoo

Opening to the public for some festive family-friendly fun from 15 November, organisers say visitors should expect to take a journey through a number of distinct and vibrant lands, where they’ll encounter an exciting lineup of costumed characters and new animal puppets – including meerkats, peacocks, red pandas, and snow leopards.

An “incredible” new soundscape will add to the immersive experience, while animal lanterns such as dragonflies hovering over water, elephants in permafrost, and exotic birds flying overhead, decorate the route of the stunning light trail.

If the lights and sculptures themselves weren’t impressive enough as it is, there’ll also be a whole new festive menu on offer at food and drink markets stationed in various locations within the zoo too.

🎄Christmas is JUST around the corner!❄️

More LIGHTS, more LANTERNS, more ANIMAL PUPPETS, more MAGIC, more of EVERYTHING you love…

Don’t forget to greet Father Christmas in his workshop!🎅
Tickets to Lanterns & Light are selling fast, so get them while you still can👇 pic.twitter.com/B8cmwrLr76
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) July 10, 2024

Heidi Budden, who is the Marketing Manager at Chester Zoo, expects this year’s Lanterns and Light to be a “wonderful evening” and says it gives visitors the chance to “play a part in helping wildlife to thrive”.

“We’ve made the light trail even longer and packed it with exciting new elements,” she added.

“There’ll be more animal lanterns than ever before, and never-before-seen interactive puppets including energetic meerkats, colourful peacocks and playful snow leopards, all joined by many of the family favourites from years gone by that people have grown to love.”

There’ll be more animal lantern puppets than ever before at this year’s festive spectacle / Credit: Chester Zoo

Lanterns and Light will return to Chester Zoo from Friday 15 November 2024, and run on selected evenings right through to New Year’s Day – with tickets now on sale.

Ticket sales will help to support the zoo in its conservation efforts to protect some of the planet’s most threatened species.

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo