Sorry! Our 2022 Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo event has now finished.
Find out what other events are taking place at Whipsnade Zoo.
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Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo
Get into the festive spirit with a fun-filled, family day out at Whipsnade Zoo this Christmas. With traditional fairground rides, interactive storytelling, festive animal talks and our Walk of the Week guided tours, there’s something for everyone.
Available all year round and already a favourite with our regular visitors, choose your favourite animal and take a whirl on our classic Carousel*.
Plus, joining us for a limited time only, you’ll be able to jump aboard our Wooden Swing Boats*, Spinning Teacups* and Chairoplane* rides. These traditional fairground rides* are sure to be a hit and they are running up until 3rd January.
In the Rainforest Room, Santa and his elves are on a mission to make Christmas more sustainable. Accompany them on their journey to the rainforest to save Christmas, meeting Kahawa the frog, Msitu the elephant and Mafuta the chimp along the way. This interactive puppet show runs twice per day on weekends from 3 December, then 17-24 December and is perfect for kids 5+.
Join an animal talk with a winter twist. Until 3rd January, learn how wolverines, penguins, tigers and many of our other animals adapt to the chilly weather. Check what’s on boards at the Zoo for daily talk times.
In addition to our festive animal talks, on selected dates this Christmas you can join a free Walk of The Week around the Zoo. With different themes each week, spend an hour with our experts and get out and about in the fresh, winter air. For dates and themes, head over to the Walk of the Week page.
December also sees the return of Meet Santa at Whipsnade Zoo, where children are invited to meet Father Christmas along with some of the best company the animal kingdom has to offer. See further down the page for more information.
All tickets must be booked online in advance. Please see below for Meet Santa ticket information.
All visitors will need a valid Zoo ticket or ZSL membership, in addition to any Meet Santa ticket, in order to enter the Zoo. Members, Fellows and Patrons will be granted Zoo entry on arrival simply by showing their membership card.
*additional charges apply, paid for with cash or card on site.
Meet Santa at Whipsnade Zoo 2022
10 – 11 and 16 – 24 December.
ZSL Gold Member, Fellow, and Patron exclusive dates: 3 and 4 December.
All Whipsnade Zoo Meet Santa sessions have ended for 2022.
