Love animals and want to visit them during the festive season, many of the zoos offer Christmas at the zoo events, some with Father Christmas, others stunning light parades and Christmas shows, which are all magical by themselves, but combine it with all your favourite zoo animals and its a spectacular day out for the entire family.
Christmas At the Zoo Events 2023
Chessington World of Adventures
Location : Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Chessington this year with your nearest and DEERest for some festive family fun!
Tis’ the season and we’ve certainly got plenty to be jolly about this winter at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. Experience a PURRRfect Christmas Adventure with us as Winter’s Tail returns on selected dates throughout November, December and January!
There’s plenty of magic for the whole family – so whether you’re looking to top up your festive spirit, get some winter thrills on a selection of our rides and attractions or maybe you’re just looking to wish our incredible animals a Merry Christmas – don’t miss out on Winter’s Tail.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Chester Zoo Christmas
Location : Upton-by-Chester, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1LH
The Lanterns 2022
Join us for The Lanterns as we transform the zoo into a spectacular wonderland! Escape to fantastical worlds, each different from the last, that will take you on an illuminating journey like no other!
Be immersed in this magical and uniquely Chester Zoo evening event, giving you the chance to see the zoo in a whole new light. Let your imagination run wild, and discover incredible spaces, each filled to the brim with colourful lanterns, spectacular costumed characters and Christmas scenes.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Colchester Zoo Christmas
Location : Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0SL
Join us at Colchester Zoo this Christmas and immerse yourself in the wonderful Christmas atmosphere!
See Santa’s beautiful reindeer in their stables, get crafty at the Elves’ Workshop, hear our Christmas tale and enjoy some festive treats!
Journey through our magical Santa Experience filled with festive scenery and cheeky elves, where you will also have the chance to meet the Santa himself and take home your very own ‘Poco the sloth’ soft toy!
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Drayton Manor Christmas
Location : Drayton Manor Park, Near Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3TW
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us on selected between 26th Nov – 24th Dec 2022 for a Magical Christmas like no other.
The whole family will be able to meet Father Christmas himself in our 15-minute Grotto Experience, as well as all the fun and excitement of our family-friendly rides throughout the park, enchanting decorations, our fascinating 15-acre zoo, Santa’s House Party live show in the 4D Cinema. and exciting entertainment in Thomas Land.
Plus, NEW for 2022 our Gingerbread Decorating Workshop included in your Grotto Experience Ticket
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Drusillas Park Christmas
Location : Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5QS
Watch little eyes twinkle with wonder as they experience the glistening magic of Drusillas Christmas!
Come and meet Santa snuggled in his cosy cottage, get nose-to-nose with our cuddly huskies in the Ice Cave, stroll through twinkling decorations, and marvel at our spectacular 24ft Christmas tree.
You are all invited to soak up the seasonal cheer at Drusillas Park (near Eastbourne and Brighton) from Saturday 19th November to Wednesday 23rd December 2022. Save 20% when you pre-book your tickets online!
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Dudley Zoo Christmas
Location : 2 The Broadway, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4QB
At Dudley Zoo & Castle there’s Christmas magic in the air . . .
The Chronicles of Dudley Castle, which runs from December 1 to Christmas Eve, includes a visit to see Santa in his grotto set within the walls of 11th century Dudley Castle.
After receiving a special gift from Santa it’s off to see Santa’s Reindeer as they prepare for their busiest night of the year before taking a walk around the site.
The festive package INCLUDES Zoo admission and a chance to see you favourite animals and find out what they’re up to this Christmas.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Edinburgh Zoo Christmas Nights
Location : Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, EH12 6TS
Back by popular demand, Santa and Mrs Claus have managed to find some time in their busy winter schedules to come along to the zoo to meet our daytime visitors!
Make your little one’s day at Edinburgh Zoo extra special this festive season! At our Christmas grotto, you will meet Santa and Mrs Claus and receive an exclusive early festive surprise.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Exmoor Zoo Christmas
Location : South Stowford, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4SG
No information has been released for Christmas 2022 yet
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Flamingo Land Christmas
Location : Kirby Misperton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6UX
This year at Flamingo Land we are bringing the ultimate Christmas experience for all children to enjoy!
So, why not join Santa’s elves and visit our magical festive land, as we present:
Santa’s Grotto – Meet Santa in his grotto and share your Christmas wish, have you been good this year?
Santa’s Magical Toy Shop – Enter Santa’s Magical toy shop to select your very own present.
Mrs Claus’ Kitchen – Join Mrs Claus and make some festive Christmas cookies.
Reindeer Paddock – Meet Thor and Eska, our two real reindeer and learn how to make some extra special reindeer food to take home just in time for Christmas Eve.
Merry Marshmallow Making – A festive sweet treat where you can decorate some yummy christmas marshmallows.
Magical Milkshake – Join the elves to make your very own magical milkshake.
Our Award Winning Zoo – See up to 140 different species including our mixed Rhino and Cheetah exhibit. There will also be a daily sea lion show and keeper talks.
Peter Rabbit Meet And Greet! – You can also meet and greet Peter Rabbit himself at intervals throughout the day.
Selection Of Rides – Our festive magical experience will also include a selection of five fun filled rides for younger children in our Muddy Duck Farm area.
A Letter to Lapland – A family activity which encourages children to write a personalised letter to Santa before posting it in the special postbox.
The Decoration Station – Make personalised christmas tree decorations to take home or decorate our christmas tree.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
London Zoo The Magic Of Christmas
Location : Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
26 Nov – 3 Jan 2023
Experience the Magic of Christmas at London Zoo this year. We’ve got everything you need for a jam-packed festive family day out.
Across London Zoo this winter, you can enjoy Christmas festivities, animal crafts, Christmas-themed animal talks, marshmallow toasting* and much more. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for the big man himself, as Santa will be popping up around the Zoo throughout the day to feed some of our animals.
Polar Post Room – -Santa’s Chief Elf is very busy in the Polar Post Room at this time of year, ensuring Santa receives all his mail. Pop in to write your own letter to Father Christmas, telling him all about your perfect present. The Chief Elf will make sure your letter is signed, sealed and delivered to the big man ahead of the big day!
Meet Santa at London Zoo* – Little ones can join in festive crafts before meeting Santa in his magical grotto at the heart of the Zoo and receive a very special early Christmas gift to take home.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Marwell Zoo Glow Marwell
Location : Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1JH
A magical light experience – Join us for our winter light trail: an immersive light extravaganza that will see Marwell’s majestic grounds turned into a twinkling wonderland full of fairy lights, magic and delight.
Glow Marwell invites guests to explore the zoo in a whole new light with more than 250,000 LED bulbs making up our wonderful illuminations.
Full of gently glowing displays and spots for reflection, our winter light trail event promises an uplifting evening of festive delights.
Along the route we’ll have winter warming catering with plenty of seasonal treats including marshmallow toasting round our cosy firepits.
Come and join us for this incredibly special, after dark event set in our beautiful 140-acre park full of ancient trees, winding paths and, of course, Marwell Hall itself.
We’re giving artists young and old the chance to design our Marwell Hall light display!
Glow Marwell will be a magical experience full of wonder that families will remember for years to come – we’ll even set up the Instagram-worthy photo opportunities!
Get in the know for Glow: Glow Marwell is running on selected dates between 18 November and 30 December 2022.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Paignton Zoo Christmas
Location : Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU
Santa is coming back to Paignton Zoo and we can’t wait!
Santa will be taking time out from his busy Christmas schedule to take up residence in his magical grotto at Paignton Zoo this December AND he’s bringing Mrs Claus back with him!
This year, not only have we added additional dates for children to meet Santa, but we are running even more fun, festive activities across the zoo.
Join Mrs Claus as she reads a magical Christmas story and then make reindeer food at our elf workshop – sprinkle it on your lawn at night, the moon will help it sparkle bright, as Santa’s reindeer fly and roam, this food will guide them to your home!
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Paradise Wildlife Park Christmas
Location : White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7QA
Santa will be arriving at Paradise in a beautiful grotto based at our Safari Stage where your little ones can join him safely for a fabulous photo opportunity. Moreover, this is a completely free of charge event so make sure to get a space in the queue early to not miss out, as we cannot guarantee everyone will be able to meet Santa on the day of your visit.
Santa has also brought the winter wonderland with him! There will be a glorious festive fairy light tunnel to walk through and enjoy with your loved ones. Make sure to take some amazing photos and tag us on social media with #paradisewildlifepark so we can join in on the fun too.
The festivities do not stop here, however. We shall be decking out the park with a beautiful array of Christmas decorations, complete with our large Christmas tree!
Don’t forget to visit Santa’s reindeer in the Woodland Walk too!
From everyone here at Paradise Wildlife Park, we hope you have a wonderful festive period with us and a magical Christmas.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Pili Palas Nature World Christmas
Location : Ffordd Penmynydd, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, LL59 5RP
Choose from breakfast with Santa, Lunch With Santa or tea with Santa, each visit includes a visit to the grotto, a gift for each child, breakfast, lunch or tea, a visit to the zoo and a session in the soft play area.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Twycross Zoo Christmas
Location : Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3PX
News of their new Alpine Adventure has not been released yet.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Whipsnade Zoo
Location : Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2LF
Get into the festive spirit with a fun-filled, family day out at Whipsnade Zoo this Christmas.
This December, Meet Santa returns to Whipsnade Zoo! Children are invited to meet Father Christmas along with some of the best company the animal kingdom has to offer.
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Location : Hurst Ln, Auckley, Doncaster DN9 3QY
Wrap up warm and experience the park after dark as you explore the magic of our illuminated enchanted realms, as we light up the dark nights this festive season!
Our annual Winter Illuminations feature over 2,400 metres of illuminated trails filled with giant awe inspiring hand-crafted lanterns. Explore the illuminated lands of Fairytale Kingdom, Animal Adventures, Under the Sea and much more.
This magical night-time adventure sees our walk-through Wildlife Park come alive with an enchanting spectacle of light, promising an experience bigger, better and more electrifying than ever before!
Opening Dates/Times/Prices : For further information CLICK HERE
Looking for other Christmas Events for the family, have you booked any Polar Express Train Rides or Santa Trains, love theme parks, how about Theme Parks at Christmas enjoy the theatre, check out Pantomimes and Christmas Shows
Have you started thinking about what kind of Christmas Tree you will be having this year, we always have a real tree, check out all the Christmas Tree Farms to pick your perfect tree