Zoo Nights at ZSL London Zoo are returning for 2019 and we’re going ape for what’s in store.
It’s the only time of the year where you’ll get to smile with the sloths, laugh with the lions and pose with the peacocks. Here, you can hang out with all creatures great and small while the sun goes down at ZSL London Zoo. Because this adults-only evening allows you to visit almost all of the 18,000 animals after-hours, every Friday in June.
Go face to face with the lions in Land Of The Lions, London Zoo’s immersive Indian-themed area, including a train station, crumbling temple clearing, high street and forest guard hut. Then have a close up encounter by walking in with the lemurs or wander over to Rainforest Life to experience the only living rainforest in central London.
You can also venture to Penguin Beach, take a trip to Nightlife to meet some of the zoo’s nocturnal friends and immerse yourself inside Butterfly Paradise while you explore varied exhibits across the zoo.
You’ll love admiring the wildlife, the live entertainment, pop-up experiences as well as animal talks and feeds. But it’s not only feeding time for the animals – visiting carnivores and herbivores alike will find tasty meals at the world food market and refreshment at the pop-up watering hole bars serving Prosecco, wines, beers and cider throughout the night.
And to celebrate the launch of the 2019 series, ZSL are bringing back features and experiences like aerial acrobatics, which will take place on the main lawn at intervals throughout the evening, and Selfie Stops on the lawn, where you can grab a photo with some animal-costumed stilt walkers.
And that’s not all. At Zoo Nights at ZSL London Zoo you’ll also discover the Light Lounge – a relaxing seating area with cool lighting to admire as the sun sets. Here, there’ll be a DJ playing ambient beats to accompany your evening. Listen into “Live and Unplugged” to hear some acoustic talents performing live sets, or stop by the Colour Pop Stop and carousel to get decked out in some animal-themed face painting before making the most of the glitter station. For an additional cost, try your hand at PLONK crazy golf, where you can travel across the world visiting animal’s habitats in a 9-hole course featuring crazy loops, balancing beams and radical ramps.
For £10 extra, you can take part in a variety of guided tours taking place at Zoo Nights. First up is “Birds and the Bees” – the best way to get the lowdown on what really goes on after dark in the animal kingdom if you’ve ever wondered things like how bees ‘get busy’, or how flamingos ‘pull a bird’.
But the tour that’s really piqued our interest is called “You’ll Never See a Moon-walking Emu”. This 30-minute tour features everything you never thought you needed to know about the animal kingdom and promises lots of fun facts that you can tell your pals about next time you’re at the zoo.
Tickets sold out last year, so if you want to come along then it’s best to beat the crowds and buy them in advance.
Zoo Nights at ZSL London Zoo run on Friday evenings from June 7. Tickets are £19.95 and can be purchased here. 18+ only. For more information, head to ZSL’s website.