Lanterns of the Wild at Twycross Zoo
Brand new for 2025, it represents the newest, most spectacular and densely illuminated trail of its kind.
Lanterns of the Wild – Spanning more than a mile in length and spread out across the zoo, from 14th November 2025 until 22nd February 2026 visitors will be able to walk amidst the huge glowing lantern installations depicting ten immersive wild habitats. With scenes throughout the journey inspired by lush tropical rainforests, icy tundras, deep oceans, and more, the event vividly brings wildlife scenes within touching distance in breathtaking detail. Along the route, visitors can enjoy delicious festive treats and warming drinks to complete the magical winter adventure.
Taking 99,000 hours to create, the equivalent of one artisan working 8 hours per day for 34 years, the experience showcases over 2,000 lanterns – some more than 100 times their natural size – brought to life by an impressive 25,000 bulbs and 70,000 metres of strip light.
Hand Crafted Artistry
Hand-crafted and hand-painted by artisans from Zigong, the lantern capital of China, a team of 30+ Chinese craftsmen are currently onsite welding, painting and installing awe-inspiring elephants, mesmerising jellyfish, colourful birds and butterflies, and vivid flowers. Jaw-dropping highlights along the lantern trail include an epic Mount Rushmore installation, a 25-metre-long, eight-metre-tall structure that will be assembled in six sections; it’s so big. Visitors can also wander through a vast walk-through igloo, marvel at a giant octopus, step up close to life-size Emperor penguins and admire a towering tree adorned with glowing orbs – making the experience truly immersive. In total, over 500 species of animals and plants are depicted, from tiny insects to mighty elephants, giving visitors a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of life on our planet in a single evening.
The Gruffalo Lantern Experience
What’s more, this incredible new experience includes a world-first spectacle: The Gruffalo Lantern Experience. For the very first time anywhere in the world, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved characters from The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, will appear in dazzling, larger-than-life illuminated form. This unforgettable moment, which marks the first of the ten zones, is sure to delight families and adds an extra level of wonder to an already extraordinary evening.
Jamie Turner, Marketing Director at Twycross Zoo, says: “When we first announced Lanterns of the Wild earlier this year, the response was incredible – and now that the first images are out, you can see why! The craftsmanship is outstanding, every lantern is a work of art. I can’t wait to bring my children down to experience it.”
To involve the local community in this magical event, schools within the region have the opportunity to design their own lanterns dedicated to a conservation message of hope. The winning design will be chosen by a panel of judges and take pride of place amongst the other lanterns illuminated in the event.
With animal welfare at the core of Twycross Zoo’s mission, regular wellbeing checks and constant monitoring will take place for the duration of the installation. CCTV cameras have been installed in habitats to monitor animal behaviour, and with the zoo opening an hour later each day after a lantern evening, its inhabitants can enjoy a well-deserved lie-in!
Adding even more sparkle to the season, Santa will return to Twycross Zoo as part of the much-loved Magical Christmas Show and Grotto Experience. Children can meet Santa in his cosy grotto and receive a special Gruffalo-themed present to take home. Santa visits can be added as an add-on to both daytime zoo visits and evening lantern trails.
SEN Friendly Evenings
To ensure everyone can enjoy experiencing Lanterns of the Wild and festive wonder this winter, Twycross Zoo will also host dedicated SEN-Friendly Evenings, providing a quieter, more relaxed experience designed to ensure all guests feel welcome, safe, and inspired.
Celebrate the wonder of the wild like never before and see animals in a whole new light – after dark at Twycross Zoo. Memories to treasure are waiting to be made.
Book tickets now at twycrosszoo.org to experience Lanterns of the Wild and the world’s first Gruffalo lantern experience in a setting like no other.
Content and images supplied – credit Twycross Zoo
