Chester Zoo is extending its opening hours until 8 pm for two special weeks this summer.
Visitors to Chester Zoo will be able to spend the whole day and evening at the attraction this summer, with the zoo’s popular Afterglow event included in standard daytime admission for the first time.
Running on selected dates between 31 July and 16 August, Afterglow will see the UK’s most visited zoo transformed into a festival-style experience featuring live entertainment, music, street theatre and immersive wildlife experiences across five themed zones.
Unlike previous years, visitors will no longer need to leave the zoo and return with a separate event ticket.
Instead, guests can spend the entire day exploring the zoo before enjoying Afterglow’s evening programme, all as part of a standard admission ticket.
The extended opening gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience the zoo’s 30,000 animals later into the day, with indoor habitats, walkthrough aviaries and tropical houses remaining open throughout the event.
From 3 pm until 8 pm each day, giant elephant, giraffe and peacock puppets will welcome visitors into the zoo, while life-sized dinosaurs roam the site with theatrical performances and interactive encounters.
The programme also features giant bubble displays, comedy street theatre, fairground rides and live music performances.
Visitors can dance at a UV silent disco inside one of the zoo’s historic buildings, enjoy cocktails overlooking giraffes, or test their wildlife knowledge in quick-fire quizzes at The Oakfield pub.
Meanwhile, the zoo’s Islands habitat will host interactive experiences inspired by Chester Zoo’s conservation work across Southeast Asia.
The 14-acre zone is home to species including Sumatran tigers, Sunda gharial crocodiles and southern cassowaries.
The summer event is sponsored by Nuii Ice Cream, with a range of tasty products available across the zoo throughout Afterglow.
Festival Energy and Special Adult-Only Activations
Gemma Wright, Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo, said:
“For two special weeks this summer, we’re keeping our zoo gates open long into the evening.
“It’ll be the first time that visitors can enjoy Afterglow as part of a normal day at the zoo, meaning guests can arrive in the morning and stay right through until 8pm to experience everything the event has to offer.
“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!
“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.
“Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or planning a summer evening out as a couple, there really is something for everyone.
“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.”
Inspiring Curiosity and Discovering the Natural World
Katie Rhodes, Brand Manager at Nuii Ice Cream, said:
“At Nuii we believe adventure is everywhere, and there are few places that inspire curiosity and discovery quite like Chester Zoo.
“Afterglow is all about making the most of long summer evenings with friends and family, exploring the natural world and creating unforgettable memories together.
“We’re delighted to be part of this year’s event and help visitors satisfy their appetite for adventure with our range of Nuii ice creams.”
Tickets are available here.
