CHESTER ZOO has released a sneak peek at some of its gigantic new plans for its newly reimagined Lanterns and Light trail.
The much-loved wintertime celebration will see visitors discover a light trail set in the 128-acre zoo, lit up by hundreds of colourful illuminated animal lanterns.
Guests will also encounter a selection of costumed characters including the main man, Father Christmas.
Chester Zoo's Christmas Lanterns and Light event returns in November.
This year the zoo has teamed up with Sony Music to add festive soundscapes and a selection of groundbreaking installations. Taking centre stage will be a giant, four-metre-tall, interactive 3D woolly mammoth hologram which will be appearing at the zoo in a world first.
Other sparkly new features include an ultraviolet walkway with luminous animal faces, colour-changing rainforests, illuminated dolphins that seem to leap from moats and waterways, a huge fire garden, as well as a variety of fairground rides and Christmas market stalls.
New additions this year include fairground rides for all of the family to enjoy.
The dazzling display has previously received widespread public acclaim, with funds raised from ticket sales supporting the zoo’s charitable conservation mission to help nature survive and thrive.
Gemma Wright, senior admissions and membership manager at the zoo, said: “There’re only three weeks to go until we kick off the festive period with the biggest, brightest and most spectacular light trail ever staged at Chester Zoo.
“This year we’ve incorporated some of the latest 3D technology and we’ll be debuting a world first hologram that’s been specially created just for us and our guests. Visitors will be in awe as they come face-to-face with a giant, life-sized woolly mammoth along with all of our exciting new additions.
Finishing touches are being added to giant pea-lit animal lanterns.
“We’ll also be bringing back some family favourites from years gone by, including hundreds of colourful animal lanterns, joyful interactive puppets and Father Christmas himself who will be spreading his festive cheer!
“Importantly though, Lanterns and Light is not only a fabulous way for people to make incredible memories while getting into the spirit of Christmas – it helps our charity zoo continue to ensure some of the world’s most threatened species survive and thrive for generations to come.”
Tickets are now on sale for Lanterns and Light which is scheduled to run across 33 special evenings from Friday, November 17 to Sunday, December 31, with entry slots from 4pm-8pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here