Festive Fun at Chester Zoo

Festive Fun at Chester Zoo will run from 5 December, 2009 to 3 January, 2010 offering guests a traditional Christmas day out.

The 110-acre zoo, home to 7,000 individual animals of 400 different species will host an array of Christmas-themed activities over the festive season.

Santa in his grotto will be one of the main attractions and guests will also be able to see Sabrina the snow dragon. Other activities on offer include a carousel, children's train ride, snowball shy and various stalls.

Costumed characters Frosty and Waddle will be joined by two rabbits, a Christmas Tree and a Christmas pudding. Visitors can enjoy a special breakfast with the Christmas characters.

A real Christmas tree will be planted at the entrance of the zoo and the monorail will not be left out, it will receive a festive makeover of its own.

The zoo's educational department will open The Wild Winter exhibition in the Joseph Banks Room every weekend from 5 December to 31 January, 2010 and then daily from 19 December to 3 January, 2010. Aimed at young children , the park's presenters will take visitor's on a torch-lit walk through a winter woodland to meet some furry friends.

Lynne Walker, Head of Visitor Services, said: “We hope our visitors will be able to enjoy tucking in to their own festivities at the zoo. There is a whole package of day-long treats for all ages to enjoy and we are looking forward to sharing our traditional family Christmas celebrations.”

The 110-acre Zoo is open all year from 10am daily (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day). There is free car parking available.