Chester Zoo visitors can stay until 8pm this summer as the popular Afterglow event returns from July 31 to August 16. Running on selected dates, the zoo transforms into a festival-style experience from 3pm to 8pm, featuring live entertainment, music, street theatre, and immersive wildlife experiences across five themed zones.
New Format: No Separate Ticket Needed
Unlike previous years, guests no longer need to leave the zoo and return with a separate event ticket. Instead, standard admission allows visitors to explore the zoo all day and enjoy Afterglow's evening programme seamlessly. This gives a rare opportunity to see the zoo's 30,000 animals later into the day, with indoor habitats, walkthrough aviaries, and tropical houses remaining open throughout the event.
Festival-Style Entertainment and Adult Experiences
Head of guest experience Gemma Wright said: "We’ve lined up a whole raft of entertainment from 3pm each day – with the zoo transformed into five lively zones filled with roaming performers, live music, world famous street theatre acts and fairground rides. It’ll bring real summer festival energy to the zoo."
She added: "We’ve even included a number of special experiences designed just for adults, including quizzes in our very own pub and an adults-only silent disco inside one of the zoo’s oldest animal habitats, or if you fancy something more relaxing then you can sip cocktails overlooking giraffes in the UK’s biggest zoo habitat."
Family and Couple-Friendly Activities
Whether visiting with family, friends, or as a couple, there is something for everyone. Theatrical performances, acrobats, jugglers, and stilt walkers will roam the zoo during Afterglow. The event is sponsored by Nuii Ice Cream, and tickets start from £28, with family tickets available.
Conservation Impact
Wright emphasized: "The best part is that everyone can enjoy their evening knowing that every ticket is helping us to protect threatened species in more than 20 countries around the world." More information is available on the Chester Zoo website.
