Chester Zoo announces ‘biggest and brightest’ Christmas lantern parade for 2023

Take a walk through a magical winter wonderland at Chester Zoo’s ‘biggest and brightest’ Christmas lantern parade set for this year.

The popular light trail will return this Christmas with some added new features for the family to enjoy, making it even more interesting and spectacular.

Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo promises to bring wild worlds to life with its enchanting winter light and sound experiences that will surround you and the family in festive magic.

We may be still in the middle of summer and looking forward to jetting off somewhere sunny, but Chester Zoo has revealed its new plans for its festive winter light trail and it sounds like a must-see for families.

The dazzling trail of lanterns and light displays is set to hold some added new surprises and never before seen installations.

Among its new features, visitors can gaze in awe at a 15 metre-long woolly 3D mammoth hologram, illuminated dolphins jumping through waterways, a walkway of gigantic pea lit animals and an impressive fire garden.

The zoo have partnered with Sony Music / RGL, as well as Culture Creative — who are the creatives behind other successful worldwide events such as Christmas at Kew Gardens, Christmas at Blenheim Palace and Dark Spectrum — delivering a display to delight the senses.

Chester Zoo’s special Christmastime event will run throughout the crisp, dark evenings of November and December giving families plenty of opportunity to find the time to visit this wonderland.

The zoo have said they will combine elements from its original Lanterns trail — which has been a popular attraction for the last 12 years — delivering its ‘biggest and brightest’ trail yet under the new name of Lanterns and Light.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Chester Zoo’s efforts to conserve nature and wildlife, and helping it to thrive.

Dominic Strange, Chester Zoo’s commercial director, said: “Everyone knows what a special place the zoo is by day. But this winter, by night, our new Lanterns and Light event will transform it into a spectacular, truly unique festive light trail that’ll be like no other.

“Building on the tremendous success of our previous annual winter evening event, The Lanterns, we’ve partnered with Sony Music and Culture Creative to create an extraordinary festive experience that promises to be bigger, better, and brighter than ever before.

“This will be a delightful fusion of the nostalgic and the new. While still honouring all of the charm and many old favourites from times gone by, such as our interactive puppets, animals, lanterns, and of course, Father Christmas.

“Our fresh new look, and all of the many new elements we’re adding, will make Lanterns and Light an experience that truly is beyond compare. We can’t wait to share it with our visitors.

“Most importantly of all though, Lanterns and Light will not only give families the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas and create cherished memories, it’ll also support our charitable efforts to protect some of the world’s most threatened species.”

Tickets for Lanterns and Light are now on sale and cost from £12. To book or find out more, click HERE.