Start Date6th Dec 2023 End Date6th Dec 2023
Join us for a magical journey after hours…
Colchester Zoo will close at 4:30pm to day visitors as usual, before opening at 5:30pm, leaving the zoo behind as the trail of light comes to life!
With a host of NEW illuminations along a designated route, dancing fountains and fairies spreading their magic, our light trail event will leave you feeling enchanted.
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!
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!
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.
If you’re not able to make this date then the Enchanted Trail of Light is taking place on the following dates too! 2nd, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th and 22nd December 2023
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.
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.
Colchester Zoo will close at 4.30pm and from 5.30pm, the Enchanted Trail of Light will open and the zoo as you know it will remain closed. Therefore, it will not be possible to see any of the animals.
If you would like to see the animals at Colchester Zoo, Enchanted Trail of Light is not the event for you, instead we recommend joining us during the day.
There are 7 dates available in which to participate in this event:
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Saturday 9th December 2023
Wednesday 13th December 2023
Saturday 16th December 2023
Wednesday 20th December 2023
Friday 22nd December 2023
Closing times may vary.
Our popular daytime Magic of Christmas events 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.
Please note: The zoo is closed on 25th December 2023.
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.
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.
Personal assistants will be admitted free of charge to accompany a guest with disability – verification may be requested on arrival.
A ticket to Enchanted Trail of Light does not admit entry to Colchester Zoo during usual opening hours.
Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable.
Admission to this event cannot be used to upgrade to a Zoo Pass. Our Guest Services office will be closed during this event.
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 of 4.30pm and re-enter with your Enchanted ticket during your pre-selected arrival time slot.
Please be aware that all activities, terms & conditions, dates, times and prices are subject to change.
FAQ’s
Our popular daytime Magic of Christmas events 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.
As you enter certain areas of the trail, our marshals may ask you to wait for a short time to allow for previous groups to move on and keep a steady flow throughout the trail.
Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to Passholders for this event due to the the general operation of the event.
Passholder discounts will still be available in open food outlets.
Enchanted Trail of Light consists of a marked route which you will be asked to follow.
If you would like to see the animals at Colchester Zoo, Enchanted Trail of Light is not the event for you, instead we recommend joining us during the day.
Please note: Wheelchairs and mobility scooters will not be available to hire for this event.
If you decide to enter with an assistant dog, please contact us in advance to make our team aware of the time you will be visiting.
Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable, do keep this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for your assistance dog.
Please only use our designated smoking area located in the car park, outside of the zoo’s main entrance.