Start Date2nd Dec 2023 End Date2nd Dec 2023
Join us for a magical journey after hours…
Limited spaces remaining – book today to avoid missing out.
Enchanted Trail of Light is a limited ticket, pre-bookable event. Arrival time slots are staggered offering you the chance to leisurely experience the wonder of the lights and magical atmosphere! With a host of illuminations along a designated route, dancing fountains and fairies spreading their magic, our light trail event will leave you feeling enchanted.
Colchester Zoo will close to day visitors as usual, before opening at 4:30pm (weekdays) and 5:00pm (weekends and school holidays), leaving the zoo behind as the trail of light comes to life!
As you gaze at the twinkling lights you’ll also have the chance to enjoy a live musical brass band performance as we are joined by Tendering Brass Band and Thundersley Brass Band on selected evenings.
Tickets are still available on the following dates:
6th, 8th, 13th & 30th December
All other dates are SOLD OUT!
GENERAL TICKET
| Dates | Price |
| MID-WEEK OFFER for 6th, 13th and 30th December | £10 |
| 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 20th and 22nd December | £12.50 |
NEW FOR 2023! Why not UPGRADE your ticket.
Purchase an Enchanted Trail of Light Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.
*Terms and conditions apply to voucher.
COMBI TICKET
| Dates | Price |
| MID-WEEK OFFER for 6th, 13th and 30th December | £15 |
| 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 20th and 22nd December | £17.50 |
Seasonal food and drinks will be available along the route to keep you warm and cosy as you discover the trail, so there is no need to worry about eating beforehand! Please print your food voucher before your visit to redeem at your chosen catering outlet.
Wrap & Roll
• Christmas Smoked Turkey Wrap
• BBQ Jackfruit Wrap
• Festive Cakes
• Christmas Doughnuts
• Hot & Cold Drinks
Chip n Mix
• Crimbo Combo Meal
• Chicken Strips
• Chips
• Seasonal Sweet Treats
• Hot & Cold Drinks
Meerkat Hangout
• Christmas Dinner Pasties
• Sausage Rolls
• Vegan Festive Bake
• Christmas Panini
• Festive Cakes
• Toasties
Snack Shack
• Mulled Wine
• Mince Pies
• Christmas Doughnuts
• Sweet Treat Popcorn
• Mega Mallows
Please Note: Children must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times at the Mega Mallows fire pit.
IMPORTANCE NOTICE: This evening event does not include access to the Santa Experience or any other activities taking place in the daytime during our Magic of Christmas. Although this event is hosted by us here at Colchester Zoo and the trail is within the park, this event does not include animal viewing. If you wish to visit Santa, you must book a separate Santa Experience ticket AND you must have a Zoo Entry Ticket/Annual Zoo Pass to enter the Zoo during the day.
The Enchanted Trail of Light event must be pre-booked online in advance for a specific time of arrival. Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable. Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to passholders for this event. Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for entry to this event. Those visiting for our daytime Magic of Christmas events will need to leave the park and re-enter with Enchanted tickets.
Children under the age of 3yrs and assistants are not required to pre-book and will be admitted free of charge on the evening of the event. Anyone under the age of 16yrs MUST be accompanied by a responsible guardian over the age of 18yrs. We will not admit anyone unaccompanied under the age of 16yrs.
Personal assistants will be admitted free of charge to accompany a guest with disability – verification may be requested on arrival.
If you wish to see the animals during your visit, this event is not for you. Instead we recommend visiting during our popular daytime Magic of Christmas event, which will be running on selected days in November and December for which a standard Zoo Admission Ticket is required and a Santa Experience Ticket if you wish to visit Santa. Please see our Magic of Christmas event pages for more details.
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Friday 8th December 2023
Saturday 9th December 2023
Wednesday 13th December 2023
Friday 15th December 2023
Saturday 16th December 2023
Wednesday 20th December 2023
Friday 22nd December 2023
Saturday 30th December 2023
Please note: The zoo is closed on 25th December 2023.
Enchanted is available to book for arrival from 4:30pm (weekdays) and 5.00pm (weekends and school holidays). Choose your date and 15 minute arrival time slot when booking. Closing times may vary.
Your entry admits you to participate in the Enchanted route ONCE within the evening. You are not able to re-walk the route once you have completed the trail.
Children under the age of 3yrs and assistants are not required to pre-book and will be admitted free of charge on the evening of the event.
£10 per person – 6th, 13th and 30th December
£12.50 per person – 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 20th and 22nd December
Combi Ticket Prices:
Purchase an Enchanted Trail of Light Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.
£15 per person – 6th, 13th and 30th December
£17.50 per person – 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 20th and 22nd December
Enchanted Trail of Light must be pre-booked online in advance for a specific time of arrival.
A ticket to Enchanted Trail of Light does not admit entry to Colchester Zoo during usual opening hours.
Personal assistants will be admitted free of charge to accompany a guest with disability – verification may be requested on arrival.
Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to Passholders for this event.
Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for entry to this event.
Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable.
If you plan to visit the Zoo prior to the Enchanted event and also participate in the Santa Experience, you will be required to purchase standard entry tickets for the Zoo and a Santa Experience Ticket for the number of children participating in the experience, along with a pre-booked Enchanted ticket. You will be required to exit the Zoo by usual closing time and re-enter with your Enchanted ticket during your pre-selected arrival time slot.
Admission to this event cannot be used to upgrade to a Zoo Pass. Our Guest Services office will be closed during this event.
Please be aware that all activities, terms & conditions, dates, times and prices are subject to change.
Please read our Enchanted FAQs here
Please read our full Enchanted Trail of Light Terms and Conditions here.