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Experience the MAGIC this festive season

Save 40% with our early bird discount - limited time only!

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Winter Illuminations

Discover the magic Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Winter Illuminations, the most MAGICAL winter lantern trail. Explore the park after dark and the 3km illuminated trail featuring bespoke lanterns, incredible light displays and seasonal selfie spots. Winter Illuminations is one of the UK's most magical Christmas light experiences and perfect for all the family or a festive date idea!

15th - 16th Nov 2025

21st - 23rd Nov 2025

27th - 30th Nov 2025

4th - 7th Dec 2025

11th - 24th Dec 2025

26th Dec 2025 - 3rd Jan 2026

10th Jan 2026

Winter Illuminations Carousel

✨New for 2025✨

Step into a truly spellbinding new chapter of Winter Illuminations with our brand new for 2025 area - The Wizard’s Quest!

Prepare for enchanting excitement as you explore a magical world of mystical lights, enchanted creatures, wise old Wizards and the wicked Snow Queen. Christmas magic isn't the only thing at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this festive season. 

Get your wands at the ready as you take an illuminated trip to the Warthogs School for Young Wizards & Witches as we take a journey on the ultimate festive fantasy!

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2023 Land Of The Tiger Dr Ywp 88

Go WILD

Make the most from your festivities and add park entry - all day access to see some of the most incredible and endangered animals at the Wildlife Park, before the light switch on! Explore from 9:45am, then return again to experience the park after dark. The perfect way to enjoy a full day of festive adventure for all ages.

Add your Park entry bolt on when booking your Winter Illuminations ticket.

Family Rooms

Seasonal stay-cation

  • Overnight stay at Hex Wildlife Hotel
  • Breakfast at Wilds Cafè Bistro
  • 1 day entry to the Park
  • Entry to Winter Illuminations on the 1st day of your arrival

Make your Winter Illuminations experience a hexcellent stay-cation with an overnight stay at our on-site accommodation!

Use promo code "EARLYBIRD"

Valid for stays between 15/11/25 - 10/01/26 on select dates.

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Food & Drink

Stop off for seasonal sipping or get your paws on sensational snack at the food and drink outlets located around the Winter Illuminations route.

With a range of butterscotch beers, potion cocktails and mischievous mocktails you're sure to be in a world of magic!

Tsavo Grand Hall, located halfway around your enchanting illuminated journey, is the perfect spot to pause and dig into some delicious savoury delights.

Fancy something bigger & want to get out of the chilly winter air?
Why not swing by The Yorkshire Hive eateries before of after your winter wonderland wander!

Explore dining at The Yorkshire Hive

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Flex your festivities

By adding on a Flexi Ticket at checkout, you get the peace of mind that the typical British weather or a seasonal flu won't ruin your magical experience.

Flexi Tickets only count if you want to move your date. Should the event be cancelled, your Flexi Ticket will still be eligible.

Under 3s do not require a Flexi Ticket.

Christmas magic isn't the only thing at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this festive season 🪄

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Winter Illuminations FAQs

There will be catering outlets open along the route selling a variety of snacks and hot & cold drinks.

The eateries at The Yorkshire Hive will also be open but we advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

On average we are expecting it to take around 90 minutes. The trail is a one-way circular route and is approximately 3km, or 1.9 miles.

Day time park entry is not included in your Winter Illuminations Ticket. You can upgrade your ticket during the checkout process to include park entry.

Daytime park tickets purchased along with Winter Illuminations entry are valid any time from 9:45am (until final entry at 2pm) on the day of your visit. We need to clear the park prior to opening the Winter Illuminations event each evening before letting guest back in at their allocated time slot.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the park and pets cannot be left in vehicles in the car park.

We recommend that all tickets need to be purchased in advance; key dates will sell out very quickly, so we suggest booking sooner rather than later!

As this is a special event outside our usual opening hours, tickets for the Winter Illuminations are not included with Annual Memberships.

Members are of course welcome to make a reservation to visit during standard daytime opening hours throughout the winter season. 

If you are a Gold Annual Member, you will receive a voucher code for one free admission to this event.

The Park is fully accessible for wheelchair users but please be aware that some areas may have uneven ground or be dimly lit. The full one-way circular route is flat and involves no steps or stairs.

We have a limited number of manual wheelchairs available to pre-book free of charge.

Alternatively, you can hire a mobility scooter for a small fee per day. This is available on the extras page during the booking process. Hire is for the full day from time of collection. 

Upon booking your wheelchair/mobility scooter you will be asked to choose a 10am time slot. This is a full day reservation which can be collected at any time.

If all wheelchairs and mobility scooters are fully booked on the day you are attending, please ask on arrival if we have any availability, however we cannot guarantee there will be any for you to hire, so please try to book in advance where possible.

Adult Concession Ticket - A ticket for Seniors aged 65+ and Students with a valid Student ID Card.

Accessible Adult Ticket - A ticket for Adults aged 16+ living with a disability.

Accessible Child Ticket - A ticket for Children under the age of 16 living with a disability.

Accessible Adult Concession Ticket - A ticket for Seniors aged 65+ and Students with a valid Student ID Card living with a disability.

Winter Illuminations and the park will close at no later than 9pm. Please ensure you enter within your allocated time slot to ensure you have plenty of time to see all the trail.

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