Now in its ninth year, visitors are able to experience the zoo after hours on a set trail in the dark, taking in illuminated wildlife, colourful lanterns and encountering enchanting costumed characters.
The wintertime celebration has previously received widespread public acclaim. This year, the zoo has heavily reduced the number of tickets available to help keep visitors safe and ensure that everyone can maintain social distancing.
Conservationists at the UK’s largest zoo say the event is ‘vital to the survival of the zoo’ following three months of closure, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which left a £5.5m scar on the wildlife charity’s finances.
“Events that help us to bring some additional income into our charity will be absolutely crucial in securing the future of our zoo and our species-saving work. That’s why we’re so, so excited to be able to bring The Lanterns back again this year. With safety and social distancing firmly at the forefront of our minds, far fewer tickets have been made available for our event this time around, which might just make it an even more magical experience for those who secure a ticket.
We’re planning to transform the zoo into a spectacular winter wonderland, featuring 11 fantastical worlds. Guests will be welcomed into an exotic world of colour and movement, where larger than life illuminations and animal characters await.”
(Jon Turley, Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo)
The Lanterns has been created by the zoo in partnership with multi-award-winning outdoor arts producers, Wild Rumpus.
Tickets are now on sale for selected dates from Friday 13th November – Wednesday 23rd December 2020. Child tickets start from £13.50 and adult tickets start from £16.
For full information and to book tickets can be found here.
