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Chester Zoo’s ‘after hours’ evenings are returning with tickets 50% cheaper than during the day

Your chance to explore the zoo in a whole new light.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd May 2024

Chester Zoo has announced that it’s bringing back its ‘after hours’ evenings once again this summer after they proved so popular in previous years.

Giving visitors the chance to explore the UK’s biggest charity zoo “in a whole new light”, the unique event series was launched to massive success back in 2022, and returned by popular demand in 2023 to offer unlimited access to animal habitats, indoor areas, and restaurants after hours for the first times in its history.

And this summer, they’re back again for animal lovers who missed out in previous years… and there’s even some new “immersive” features for 2024 too.

With tickets now on sale at 50% cheaper than a standard day ticket, Chester Zoo is inviting people to discover the zoo as the sun goes down with spectacular live entertainment, exciting games and activities, and delicious food and drink.

Chester Zoo’s popular ‘after hours’ evenings are back again this summer / Credit: Chester Zoo

The zoo is promising there’ll be absolutely “tons to see and do” this year, so all the family can enjoy an evening making “unforgettable memories” together.

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This includes getting to wish goodnight to giraffe calf, Edie, meeting the zoo newest arrivals, snow leopards Yashin and Nubra, spending your evening with some of the planet’s most endangered species, and, in what is a new feature for 2024, your ticket will also give you access to the new “immersive” experience, ‘Native‘, included in the price.

Not only that, but there’ll also be animal-themed face painting, exciting entertainment such as larger-than-life animal puppets, and freshly-prepared food and drink – including extravagant sundaes, boozy slushies and cocktails, and more – to make the most of, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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And don’t forget, every ticket purchased directly goes towards the vital conservation work Chester Zoo does, both in the UK and all across the world, so you’ll be contributing to a better and safer future for all species.

Afterglow is back at Chester Zoo from 13 – 25 August, with adult tickets from £18, child tickets from £11, toddler tickets for £2.50, and infants under one going free of charge.

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Find out more and book your tickets here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United fan runs laps around Old Trafford for charity in world record attempt

A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.

Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…

If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.

Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toast reaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.

As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.

We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.

Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.

“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.

“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”

Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.

Manchester United’s Stadium Sleep Out returns for 2025
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.

Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.

As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.

Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.

We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Peaks and Pubs (supplied)/The Manc Group

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A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Shaun the Sheep live circus and stage show Manchester tickets

Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.

This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.

Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.

Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.

‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.

Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.

Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.

Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.

And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.

Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.

Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.

John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.

“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“

Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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