It’s all systems Glow at Marwell!

We’re getting a glow up this Christmas with our most spectacular light trail ever.

Glow Marwell will see the zoo transform into a twinkling wonderland, where visitors are invited to marvel at illuminated animal sculptures, walk through dazzling light shows, toast marshmallows over fire pits, and meet Father Christmas and his Pesky Penguins.

Reimagined by world-renowned illuminated trail specialists Culture Creative, Glow Marwell 2025 will run from November 28 2025 until January 3 2026, and promises to be wilder and more breathtaking than ever.

Highlights of this year’s event include:

• 12 Days of Christmas and Christmas Robins, by Woody Fox, a willow sculptor who uses vibrant colours and recycled materials to create large-scale winter-loving animals.
• Savannah Animals, by Pangea, a collection of majestic animal sculptures made from recycled scrap metal including oil drums and hand crafted in Africa. The large-scale creations will include giraffe, rhino, hippo, elephant, lions, crocodile and cheetah, featuring in spectacular scenes including the Watering Hole, Pride Lands, and Savannah at Dusk.
• Lasers and Light, by Culture Creative, where thousands of coloured laser lights pierce the misty night air to create a dazzling world for families to explore together.
• Fluorefornia, by Hannah Ayre, who highlights endangered animals with UV-lit fluorescent sculptures emerging from the undergrowth.
• Dragonflies, by Martha Ellis, featuring six imaginative dragonfly artworks inspired by the works of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.

More spellbinding moments will be created by high-energy light installations, a walkway formed under towering red LED hearts, a neon string tunnel, dynamic disco trees, giant snowflakes, and a festive lane lined with candy canes and bubbles.

The festive magic continues in the grand Grade I listed Marwell Hall, where Father Christmas, his elves, and a waddle of Pesky Penguins will be spreading Christmas cheer in an enchanting family grotto.

The 45 minute family grotto experience features a Merry Christmas Zoo story read by Santa’s elves, craft activities, and the chance to post a letter to Santa and take selfies in the sleigh before going on to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift.

Our festive menu will be back, and there will also be the chance to gather round the firepit and toast marshmallows.

Laura Read, CEO at Marwell, said: “Last year’s event was truly magical, so we can’t wait to see how visitors react to the new, reimagined Glow Marwell with its wonderfully creative wildlife displays and dazzling light shows.

“We’re also very excited that Christmas is back at Marwell Hall, with a new family grotto experience and lots of adorable Pesky Penguins!”

Glow Marwell will run from November 28 2025 until January 3 2026 (Thursday to Sunday until the school holidays, then daily over the Christmas period), with Christmas at Marwell Hall daily from November 28 – December 24 2025.

Anyone who buys a Glow Marwell ticket or Christmas at Marwell Hall ticket will also enjoy free zoo entry.

Quiet Glow will return on December 4 for guests who prefer a calmer, more relaxed experience that’s still full to the brim with magic. Guests who would also like during a calmer period but would rather skip the Glow event can visit Quiet Christmas on December 1.

Glow Marwell tickets are now on sale for our Premium and Explorer members. Tickets will go on public sale at 9am on Friday 4 July 2025.