Chester Zoo to let guests visit the animals at sunset as part of special after hours events

Chester Zoo will hold an outdoor sunset cinema and live entertainment event this summer.

The zoo has announced its sell out Into the Night evenings are set to return — after a successful run last year — for a limited number of nights this summer.

The wildlife attraction will host a number of fantastic family evenings, including new adult-only nights, spread across 15 special dates in June, July and August.

The spectacular event will give visitors the chance to explore all of the zoo’s 128-acres after hours. All proceeds generated will go towards the not-for-profit zoo’s vital conservation work.

Visitors will enjoy a rare chance to experience the zoo and see its 27,000 animals in a different light as the sun begins to set and the nocturnal animals come to life. From 4pm they can explore the animals in their habitats while they potter around.

Guests will also be treated to outstanding live entertainment, including animal-themed stilt walkers, dancers, puppeteers, flash mob dance troupes and acrobats.

This year, the zoo has also included new adult-only evenings,  exclusive The Luna Cinema screenings and a celebrity guest appearance to the line-up. There will be three family favourite screenings on August 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

The films being shown are Grease, Top Gun: Maverick and The Greatest Showman. Doors open at 7pm for The Luna Cinema with films starting at 8.30pm.

Ellie Trigg, Chester Zoo’s customer development manager, said: “The zoo is a totally different place as the sun starts to set — for some animals it’s time to bed down while for others the night is only just beginning.

“Our special Into the Night event offers a rare chance for people to come and experience the awe and wonder of all the zoo has to offer in a completely different light.

“And as if seeing what your favourite animal gets up to when most people have gone home isn’t exciting enough, there’ll also be lots of entertainment, including acrobats, dancers and stilt-walkers.

“For the first time ever, as part of our Into the Night summer evening programme, our friends at The Luna Cinema will also be joining us at the zoo for three exclusive nights in August, where they’ll be screening three much-loved family blockbuster movies.

“With guest talks and appearances from a few well-known faces also on the line up, including wildlife filmmaker and presenter Bertie Gregory, it promises to be a wonderful summer.

“And best of all, the proceeds are going to help our charity zoo to protect some of the world’s most threatened species, making it a great night out that’s contributing to wildlife conservation.”

During event evenings, all parts of the zoo will be open, including animal habitats, tropical houses, indoor areas, and the zoo’s brand new 360° immersive ‘out of water’ digital shark experience Planet Shark: Predator or Prey.

All of the zoo’s restaurants and several kiosks will also be open, serving up a whole host of food and drink options featuring gin sorbet cocktails, delicious kebabs and so much more.

A limited number of tickets are available each evening, with prices starting at £16 for adults and £10 for children (3-17 years). Find more info on Into the Night, here. For more info on Chester Zoo presents The Luna Cinema, click here.