What is the difference between Magic of Christmas and Enchanted Trail of Light?

Our Magic of Christmas events take place on 23rd & 24th November, 30th November & 1st December, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th and 19th to 24th December 2024. This event starts from 8.45am until zoo close. 

The Enchanted Light Trail evenings start after the Zoo is closed with time slots available for booking. The trail takes around 1hr 30 minutes to complete with the first entry being 5.30pm (dependant on date of visit).

The Enchanted Light Trail must be pre-booked online in advance and are separate from standard Zoo admission.

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.

Can I smoke?

Colchester Zoo has a no-smoking/no-vaping policy. We ask all visitors to refrain from smoking or vaping whilst inside the park. 
If, however, visitors require the need to smoke and vape, we request that you use the designated zone outside the zoo’s main entrance in our car park. You can also ask any member of staff for assistance and they will be happy to direct you.

Is there a car park?

Yes, Colchester Zoo’s car park is available free of charge.

Please be aware that due to the number of visitors for these events, queuing may be necessary on arrival and on leaving the park, so please do factor this in to your journey time.

Accessibility

  • The grotto has flat floor surfaces throughout.
  • All doorways and corridors are wheelchair accessible with a minimum door width of 86 cm with straight on access to the doorway.
  • There are some turns to navigate, however sufficient turning space has been allocated.

Neurodivergence:

  • Queueing – if you have an assistance ticket and are unable to stand in line, please make our grotto entrance staff aware and they will assist you.
  • The grotto can be quite noisy at busy times with excited children (and adults)!
  • There will be background Christmas music playing so ear defenders may be considered.
  • There will be some flashing Christmas lights but no strobe effects.
  • There is one special ‘magical‘ effect that includes noise and flashes.
  • Some imagery will be displayed on screens similar to television screens.

Assistance Dogs:

  • We welcome assistance and medical alert dogs however ask owners to cooperate with our Assistance Dogs policy.
  • Therapy dogs are not allowed in Colchester Zoo as in the UK they are not considered to be assistance dogs.
  • We do not allow dogs to be left in cars during your visit.

For more specific information please contact customerengagement@colchesterzoo.org and we will do our best to answer your questions.

Do I need a Santa Experience ticket?

All children who would like to visit on Magic of Christmas days and take part in the Santa Experience to receive a gift, will require a Santa Experience ticket.
Child Zoo Passholders, child complimentary ticket holders (including adopters and children attending animal experiences) MUST also purchase a Santa Experience Ticket if they wish to participate and receive a toy.

My children are Zoo Passholders, do I need to purchase them a Santa Experience ticket?

If a child Passholder wishes to take part in our Santa Experience and receive a gift, a Santa Experience ticket MUST be purchased online in advance. A Colchester Zoo Pass will allow you to access to our Magic of Christmas events free of charge, but the Santa Experience is not included.

Where can I buy a Santa Experience ticket?

Santa Experience tickets can be purchased online via the Colchester Zoo website in advance ONLY.
Our Santa Experience is a timed-slot attraction, therefore you MUST purchase your ticket online in advance and select a date and time slot for your Santa Experience tickets. We cannot guarantee availability on the day of your visit to The Santa Experience due to a maximum capacity per time slot.

If you are unable to book online we can assist with your booking in advance via telephone and in person at the Zoo. Bookings cannot be made on the day of the experience.

All tickets will be emailed and can be shown either on a mobile device or via a print out at the entrance to the Santa Experience. Please have your ticket ready to show on arrival – for those presenting a digital ticket, please be aware no mobile charging or printing facilities are available within the zoo. If we cannot access your digital ticket it cannot be honoured so please come prepared with a print out if required.   

Please be aware that you must have a separate Zoo admission ticket or valid Zoo Pass to enter the zoo grounds in order to access this experience.
A Santa Experience Ticket does NOT include admission to the zoo.

Can I share my Santa Experience ticket?

Santa Experience tickets cannot be shared. 1 ticket allows 1 child entry to the Santa Experience and once it has been scanned it will become invalid.

Can I go through the Santa Experience free of charge if I do not want to receive a gift?

All children who wish to enter the Santa Experience and receive a gift, will require a Santa Experience ticket. This includes children under 1 if you would like them to meet Santa and receive a gift. Child Zoo Passholders, child complimentary ticket holders including adopters, children attending animal experiences MUST also purchase a Santa Experience Ticket if they wish to participate in the Santa Experience and receive a gift.

Children under 1 years may enter the Santa Experience free of charge, when accompanying an older sibling who is participating in the experience; however, if you would like them to receive a gift, a Santa Experience Ticket MUST be purchased per child.

Adults accompanying children taking part in the experience do not require a Santa Experience Ticket.

Will I have to queue to get into the Santa Experience?

Our Santa Experience is a timed-slot attraction, therefore you MUST purchase your ticket online in advance and select a date and time slot for your Santa Experience tickets. We cannot guarantee availability on the day of your visit to The Santa Experience due to a maximum capacity per time slot. You will receive a Santa Experience ticket which can then be used to enter the Experience. We hope this will limit the time you may have to wait, however queues may still occur.

Please be aware that you must have a separate Zoo admission ticket or valid Zoo Pass to enter the zoo grounds in order to access this experience.
A Santa Experience Ticket does NOT include admission to the zoo.

My child wants to visit the Zoo for the Magic of Christmas but not the Santa Experience. Do they have to have a ticket?

You are welcome to enter Colchester Zoo and enjoy our other Magic of Christmas activities without the need to participate in the Santa Experience. You can purchase a child admission ticket online or use a valid Zoo Pass to enter.

What time does the Santa Experience close?

The Santa Experience will close at 4.30pm on Magic of Christmas dates: 23rd & 24th November, 30th November & 1st December, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th and 19th to 24th December 2024.

If I want to upgrade my child’s admission ticket to a Zoo Pass, is the cost of the Santa Experience ticket included?

Please be aware that any upgrades to a Zoo Pass for children will NOT include the cost of the Santa Experience ticket. Only your standard zoo admission ticket can be upgraded to a Zoo Pass unless you have paid with a Tesco Voucher, tickets paid via Tesco are not upgradable.

Are Santa Experience tickets refundable?

Admission tickets and the Santa Experience ticket are non-refundable. Passholders will need to purchase a Santa Experience Ticket to enter and receive a gift. Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for The Santa Experience ticket.

Do I need adult supervision?

Any persons under 16yrs must be accompanied by a responsible guardian over 16yrs at all times. Unaccompanied persons under 16yrs will not be admitted.
Photo ID may be requested by our staff at any time during your visit.