Families planning their Christmas days out across the South East have a new attraction to add to their festive itineraries. Hertfordshire Zoo has revealed plans for its brand-new Christmas Wonderland 2026, running across selected dates from Saturday 21st November through to Christmas Eve.
Designed to cater to both full-day visitors and evening light trail guests, the revamped winter experience transforms the zoo’s grounds into an illuminated festive trail complete with larger-than-life light installations, mischievous hidden elves, and an all-new digital Polar Express simulation.
Highlights of Christmas Wonderland 2026 include:
The Digital Polar Express: An immersive screen-led train carriage experience that transports visitors through snowy landscapes en route to the North Pole.
Santa’s Grotto: A classic meet-and-greet with Father Christmas, where every participating child receives a special gift, with professional photo keepsakes available on-site.
Fireside Moments with Mrs Claus: Crackling open fire pits where guests can toast marshmallows alongside Mrs Claus, accompanied by seasonal hot chocolates and festive street food.
Special Guest Appearances: The Grinch will be making weekly appearances throughout the event, dropping in every Saturday starting 21st November.
Reduced-Price Evening Sessions: Running until 7:30pm on selected dates, dedicated evening tickets allow guests to experience the illuminations, fire pits, and grotto after dark at an accessible price point.
Tyler Whitnall, Managing Director at Hertfordshire Zoo, said: “Christmas is all about creating lasting memories with the people who matter most, and this year we wanted to raise the bar even higher for our guests. Christmas Wonderland brings together everything families love about the festive period, from the sparkle of after-dark light trails to the excitement of meeting Santa and boarding the digital Polar Express. Whether you’re spending a full winter day exploring the Zoo or visiting just for the evening, we’ve built an experience that brings real warmth and magic to Hertfordshire this winter”.
Christmas Wonderland runs on selected weekends in late November and throughout December, leading up to a daily run ahead of Christmas Eve (21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th November; 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, and 19th–24th December). Tickets are expected to sell quickly ahead of the peak festive rush, so book now at www.hertfordshirezoo.com to avoid disappointment.
