Explorer & Premium member discount

We’re pleased to offer our Explorer and Premium Members discounted tickets for Glow Marwell and our Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience, as well as access to an exclusive pre-sale:

• Premium members – tickets go on sale Sunday 29 June
• All members – tickets go on sale Tuesday 1 July
• Public sale – tickets go on sale Friday 4 July

Our Santa’s grotto experience is always popular, so book early to secure your preferred date!

Please make sure you hold a valid Explorer or Premium membership for the date of your visit. We’ll ask you to show your valid Explorer or Premium Membership upon arrival.

Standard Tickets

BOOK GLOW TICKETS

Peak Tickets (Sat 20 – Wed 24 Dec)

Our peak nights are likely to be very popular, so we recommend booking early to reserve your place!

BOOK GLOW TICKETS

On the old Marwell membership scheme?

The discount is only valid for Explorer and Premium members. If you’re on the old Marwell membership scheme, pop into the Membership Cabin to upgrade your membership on a pro-rata basis.

Visiting the zoo during November & December

All members are welcome to visit the zoo as usual during our normal opening hours (10am – 4pm). However, if you’d like to visit Glow Marwell or the Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience, please ensure you purchase an event ticket.

Our usual membership discounts for catering and our gift shop still apply for Marwell outlets but will not be valid for third party concessions operating during the event.

Quiet Glow (autism friendly)

We’re delighted to be hosting a Quiet Glow Marwell on Thursday 4 December for our guests who would prefer a calmer, more relaxed experience that’s still full to the brim with magic.

We will lower the volume of the music and reduce capacity so families can experience the magic of Glow Marwell in a quieter and less crowded environment. Any light displays which have a faster fade will also be changed to a slow fade or static display.

We’ll also reduce capacity in our Santa’s grotto experience, with low level music and sensory lights.

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P.S. we’re also running a Quiet Christmas at Marwell Hall day on Monday 1 December, for our visitors who would like to visit Santa’s grotto and the zoo during the day, but don’t wish to visit the light trail. However, please note that the Glow Marwell light trail is not running on this date, and only daytime grotto sessions are available.

Glow Marwell FAQs

For grotto experience FAQs please see the Christmas at Marwell Hall webpage.

When is Glow Marwell running?

Our Glow Marwell light trail event runs from 5pm – 8pm on selected dates from Friday 28 November 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026:

• Friday 28 November – Sunday 30 November
• Thursday 4 December – Sunday 7 December
• Thursday 11 December – Sunday 14 December
• Thursday 18 December – Wednesday 24 December
• Saturday 27 December – Tuesday 30 December
• Friday 2 January – Saturday 3 January

How do I book tickets to Glow Marwell and what do I need to know?

We expect our Glow Marwell event to be very popular, so we highly recommend booking online to guarantee your entry. This includes under threes and carers.

Please make sure you book the right date, number of guests and check the weather before you book as bookings are non-refundable and non-transferrable to another date.

We’ll be happy to accept walk-ups on the day, subject to availability. Please be aware that our Santa’s grotto experience is likely to sell out in advance.

How do I book tickets for the grotto experience?

The Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience will be running daily from Friday 28 November – Wednesday 24 December and must be pre-booked.

Your grotto experience will last up to 45 minutes, and sessions will be running at regular sessions through the day and evening.

Your grotto experience must be pre-booked and we recommend booking early, particularly if you’d like to visit Santa at a weekend or close to Christmas. He’s always popular!

Please refer to our Christmas at Marwell FAQ’s and T&C’s for more information about the grotto experience.

Can I book the grotto experience without visiting Glow?

Yes, the grotto can be booked without Glow between 10am – 4pm every day from Friday 28 November – Wednesday 24 December (you’ll even get free entry to the zoo for the day too!). Please select the ‘Santa & Zoo’ ticket option when booking online.

Please note that if you wish to stay for the Glow trail in the evening, you will need to purchase a Glow ticket.

Why can’t I book for the date I’m looking for?

If you can’t see a date available on the calendar, it’s either because the event isn’t running that date, or it’s sold out. Please check availability on another date.

Can I use my complimentary or third party ticket for Glow Marwell?

No, complimentary tickets and third party tickets will not be valid.

Only prebooked tickets on our website are valid for these special event days. The tickets below are NOT valid: Complimentary tickets, raffle prize tickets, adoption tickets, school tickets, home education tickets, gift tickets, tickets purchased through a third party (agent tickets), advanced group tickets, reciprocal zoo visits and standard zoo staff family & friends tickets.

Will there be any Quiet Glow Marwell dates so I can enjoy a calmer and more relaxed experience?

We are delighted to be hosting a Quiet Glow Marwell date on Thursday 4 December.

What if the weather is bad?

The event will ‘Glow’ on, even in the rain, so wrap up warm and bring your waterproofs! We’ll make sure you still have a wonderful time, no matter what the British weather throws at us. Our undercover picnic lodges will be open.

What time can I arrive?

Glow Marwell tickets also include a free zoo visit from 10am until 4pm, when you can enjoy our animals, adventure playgrounds and delicious festive treats.

The Glow Marwell light trail is open from 5pm until 8pm, with last entry at 7.15pm. We’ll ask you to choose an arrival time when you book, to help us reduce queues. We suggest you enter at the timeslot stated on your ticket, but if you wish to explore the trail earlier, you’re welcome to enter anytime from 5pm.

We recommend allowing at least an hour to enjoy the Glow Marwell route (longer if you have little legs!).

Please note the zoo will close at 4pm while we get the Glow Marwell trail ready to sparkle for you, but the plaza will remain open, where you can browse the traditional Festive Market and enjoy a festive meal at The Keeper’s Kitchen.

Do I have to go round the trail in one direction?

The trail follows a carefully planned one-way route which takes you around the front loop of the zoo. We’ve carefully the trail to ensure you enjoy all the magic without the glare so please follow the path in a clockwise direction to make sure you get the most out of our magical event.

Please stick to this route for your safety and to ensure the wellbeing of our animals.

Can I go round the trail again?

You’re welcome to re-enter and repeat the trail as many times as you fancy during the evening. Last entry is 7.15pm.

Why do I need to leave the zoo at 4pm?

We carefully considered the feedback we received from previous events, where you told us that turning the lights on while guests were still in the zoo reduced the magic of the event. The trail is best viewed from one direction, so by asking you to leave and start the trail from the beginning when the sun has set, you’ll be able to see it in the way it’s been designed – in its full glowing majesty!

What can I do before the light trail starts?

From 4pm – 5pm, the zoo will close while we get the Glow Marwell trail ready to sparkle for you, but the plaza at the entrance to the zoo will remain open.

Here you can browse the traditional Festive Market, enjoy a festive meal at The Keeper’s Kitchen, and browse our gift shop.

Can I see the rest of the zoo and animals as part of the Glow Marwell trail?

Once the Glow Marwell trail begins in the evening, our animals will be settling down to rest. So if you’d like to see them, please take advantage of your free zoo visit from 10am – 4pm.

Our animal houses, animal areas and adventure playgrounds will close from 3.30pm.

Can I bring a torch or other lights with me?

We kindly ask guests not to bring lights into the event, including using the torch on your mobile phone. The lights and colours we are using for Glow Marwell, including products for sale in our retail outlets, have been specifically designed to ensure the safety, comfort and welfare of our animals.

Can I take photographs?

The more, the merrier! Don’t forget to share them with us on social media using #GlowMarwell.

Can I visit the zoo during December?

Yes! The zoo will be open every day from 10am – 4pm, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

All of our Glow Marwell and Christmas at Marwell Hall tickets include a free zoo visit from 10am – 4pm.

If you’d rather not attend the festive events, you’re welcome to book a daytime zoo visit as normal.

Can I upgrade my Glow Marwell ticket to annual membership?

Yes! If you hold a Glow Marwell ticket, you’re welcome to upgrade your ticket to annual membership and we’ll deduct the cost of your entry to the Glow light trail (please note we will refund the cost of the Glow light trail only. This excludes any Grotto or VR add-ons you may have purchased).

Members FAQs

Can members visit the zoo as normal on Glow Marwell event days?

Yes, members can visit the zoo as normal from 10am – 4pm. Just show your membership card on entry as normal. Please note the zoo is closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

If you’d like to visit the Glow Marwell light trail or the Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience, you will need to purchase a ticket. Check the Members tab for information about the discounted rate for our Explorer and Premium members.

Can members enjoy any special benefits for Glow Marwell?

We’re delighted to offer our Premium and Explorer members a special member discount on all Glow Marwell and Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience tickets. Please check the members tab for details.

We’re also giving our members access to an exclusive pre-sale before the tickets go on sale:
Premium members – tickets go on sale Sunday 29 June
All members – tickets go on sale Tuesday 1 July
Public sale – tickets go on sale Friday 4 July

Marwell Zoo management reserves the right to close all or any part of the event as necessary without prior notice.

All terms and conditions, activities, dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Glow Marwell Terms & Conditions

We hope you have a wonderful experience at Glow Marwell. There are just a few terms & conditions you need to be aware of before your visit.

For Grotto experience terms and conditions, please see the Christmas at Marwell Hall webpage.

Tickets and admission

• All tickets are valid for the date booked only. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• All children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst in the zoo and during the event.
• Tickets must be purchased for the age the ticket holder will be on the date of the visit. If your child is under 3, you are welcome to buy a standard child Glow Marwell ticket now and guarantee your visit date. Alternatively, you can wait until they are eligible for Explorer or Premium Membership to benefit from the discount, subject to availability.
• An admission ticket for this event will need to be purchased for each person who wishes to participate. Under threes and carers are required to book a ticket. Under threes are free and one free carer will be admitted per paying person with accessibility needs. For more information, please see our accessibility statement.
• Members will need a valid Explorer or Premium Membership for the date of their visit to benefit from discounted members tickets. Please show your valid Explorer or Premium Membership on arrival at the event.
• A ticket to Glow Marwell includes free access to the zoo 10am until 4pm. Animal buildings, animal areas and our adventure playgrounds will close from 3.30pm.
• Glow Marwell will start at 5pm, with last entry at 7.15pm.
• Our car park is free of charge, please park with courtesy for other guests. Guest use of the car park is at their own risk.
• Please be aware that due to the volume of guests expected for this event, queuing may be necessary on arrival and leaving so please do factor this in.

During the event

• We ask guests not to bring or wear any torches (including those on mobile phones), light up or flashing clothing or accessories. The lights and colours we are using for Glow Marwell, including the products for sale in our retail outlets, have been specifically designed to ensure the welfare of our animals.
• Do not cross any safety barriers.
• No bags to be left unattended under any circumstances.
• The Glow Marwell trail is a carefully planned one-way route which takes guests in a clockwise direction around the front half of the zoo and must be followed at all times.
  The route is one way, and you will not be able to turn back.
• Please be aware that LED lights are used for this event, if you are vulnerable to photosensitivity or photo-epilepsy. Throughout the trail there will be music, lights and special effects that may not be suitable for some people.
• All activities are subject to availability. Timings may change.
• Glow Marwell tickets do not include a visit to the Christmas at Marwell Hall Grotto experience . These must be purchased on our website when booking your Glow Marwell tickets.
• During the event, our standard entry terms & conditions also apply.

Our Members

• During Glow Marwell event dates, members will be able to visit the zoo as normal from 10am – 4pm. However, if you’d like to take part in the Christmas at Marwell Hall grotto experience or the Glow Marwell light trail, you must purchase a separate event ticket. Please note the zoo will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• Our Premium and Explorer members and book discounted tickets.
• We are also running a pre-sale for our members:
  Premium members – tickets go on sale Sunday 29 June
  All members – tickets go on sale Tuesday 1 July
  Public sale – tickets go on sale Friday 4 July
• Our usual membership discounts for catering and our gift shop will still apply for Marwell outlets but will not be valid for third party concessions operating during the event.

VR Headset Experience Terms and Conditions

• The VR headset experience will take place in the Giraffe House from 11.30am – 3pm and 5.30pm – 7pm.
• The film will last for approximately 13 minutes.
• This experience is not recommended for guests who suffer from photosensitive epilepsy, motion sickness, have back and neck problems or are pregnant.
• Minimum age is 5 years to participate in this experience. Proof may be required.
• All children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by one adult at all times during the VR headset experience. Due to space constraints, only one adult will be admitted to accompany one paying child.
• All VR headset experience tickets are valid for the date booked only. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date or session.
• Guests must remain seated for the duration of the experience.