Chester Zoo has confirmed that its winter light trail, Lanterns & Light, will return for 42 nights from Friday, November 13 until Sunday, January 3, featuring festive lights, colour and wildlife-themed displays. This year's event introduces a newly designed route, a giant polar bear, parrots and dolphins among its cast of animal puppets, and adults-only evenings for the first time.
New installations and redesigned trail
The 2026 trail has been redesigned with new installations, including the Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy and Floating Feathers. Visitors will also see an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets brought to life by specialist performers.
Gemma Wright, Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo, said: "Lanterns & Light has become a firm favourite with people across the Northwest of England and North Wales, and this year we’ve made some really exciting changes."
Adults-only evenings and festive attractions
For the first time, the zoo will host two adults-only evenings on Thursday, November 19 and Tuesday, December 8. The walk-through Cathedral of Light will return, along with the Fire Garden and a chance to meet Father Christmas. Visitors can also enjoy marshmallow fire pits, festive food and warming drinks, plus a funfair at the entrance.
Wright added: "We’ve listened to feedback from those who come back year after year, bringing back some of the installations they love, while adding new animal puppets, more opportunities to interact and a redesigned route to explore."
Conservation funding and ticket details
Funds from the event will support Chester Zoo’s conservation work. Wright said: "Lanterns & Light is a chance to have a brilliant night out, but it also helps us do something much bigger. Every ticket helps support Chester Zoo’s work to prevent extinction - from protecting threatened wildlife in the places where it lives to caring for and breeding endangered species here at the zoo."
Tickets are available now, priced at £19.50 for children and £27.50 for adults, with babies under 12 months admitted free. Last year, more than 140,000 people visited the trail. The event is produced alongside Sony Music and expert puppeteers.
