Immersive after-dark winter trail with more than 1,000 hand-crafted lanterns and walk-through planets in a space-safari theme.
Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns returns to Edinburgh Zoo on Friday 13 November, running for 60 nights through to Sunday 21 February. This year's trail is a cosmic, space-safari themed route that takes you after dark through the zoo grounds, with more than 1,000 lanterns lighting the way. The lanterns are all brand new this year, each one hand-crafted and painted by Chinese artisans using traditional techniques and lit by recyclable LED bulbs. Some of the larger pieces take up to 220 hours to complete.
The route is about a mile long and takes around an hour to walk. Along the way, you'll come across walk-through planets spanning 12 metres and animal giants like an owl with a seven-metre wingspan. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs the zoo, frames the event as a way to get visitors thinking about wildlife and conservation, and every ticket sold supports their work in Scotland and around the world. The zoo is ISO 14001 accredited, aims to cut its carbon footprint by 60% by 2030 and be net zero by 2040, and installed a 1,548-panel solar meadow in 2023.
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It opens from 4:45pm, with the last entry at 8pm and the trail finishing at 9pm. Tickets are £23.50 for adults (16+) and £17.50 for children (3-15), with a family ticket for two adults and two children at £79. RZSS members get a discount: £20 for adults and £14.90 for children. Under-3s and carers with valid ID go free. For groups of 15 or more, it's £18.50 per adult and £13.50 per child. Car parking is £3 per vehicle, free for RZSS members.
