- Selected dates – 22 Nov – 31 Dec
- Tickets from £22pp
- Short Breaks from £53pp

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT CHESSINGTON
Enjoy the ultimate Christmas day out at Chessington during Winter’s Tail!
A magical Christmas adventure awaits you and your family in the Christmas Village. Jingle away to a festive Silent Disco before you journey into a snowy woodland guided by an Elf to visit Santa’s Grotto. Greeted by twinkling lights and the scent of a woodfire, join Father Christmas who is ready to hear your Christmas wishes and spread festive cheer to all who visit.
Then adventure into Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop, where the Elves are busy making gifts for Christmas, you may even receive an early Christmas gift.
The festive fun does not end there, enjoy everything else that Winter's Tail has to offer, select rides and attractions and over 1000 animals in Chessington Zoo and SEA LIFE. It's the ultimate Christmas day out for families looking to make the season truly magical.
Visit before 24th December to enjoy all the magic of the Christmas Village – book early for the best price and availability!

CHESSINGTON’S FESTIVE WONDERLAND
Looking for a festive and thrilling day out? Visit Winter’s Tail with a Theme Park & Zoo ticket and enjoy exciting festivities to get you in the Christmas spirit in the build up to Christmas or during Twixmas too!
Dive into the excitement of our festive extravaganza, with entry to the Theme Park, Zoo and SEA LIFE Aquarium. Enjoy select rides and attractions, as well as fascinating animal talks in Chessington Zoo and underwater wonders in SEA LIFE.
Whether you're planning a winter getaway in one of our Resort Hotels or a festive day out, don't miss out on Chessington's magical Christmas event, Winter's Tail.
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES AT CHESSINGTON

Christmas Panto
Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Enjoy the Christmas Panto at Winter’s Tail and get ready to boo, cheer and dance your way into the festive season. An unmissable Christmas must-do for the whole family.

Festive Trail
Venture across the Resort following a sparkling festive light trail. Will you find all of the glowing animals and complete the trail?

Carollers
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere with festive family songs from our Carollers. Heartwarming Christmas entertainment for kids and families to enjoy together.

Rides & Attractions
Enjoy select rides and attractions this Winter’s Tail, including the World of Jumanji, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Room on the Broom – A Magical Journey.

Zoo & SEA LIFE
Meet over 1000 animals, include giraffes, penguins and zebras as you explore the Zoo and enjoy fascinating talks with our expert Zookeepers. A must-see activity for families of all ages this Christmas.
Rides & Attractions

Mandrill Mayhem

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure

ROOM ON THE BROOM - A MAGICAL JOURNEY

Ostrich Stampede

Mamba Strike

Jungle Rangers

Adventure Tree Carousel

Blue Barnacle

Tree Top Hoppers

Trawler Trouble

Tiny Truckers

Amazu

Dragon's Playhouse

Griffin's Galleon

Elmer's Flying Jumbos

Sea Dragons

Canopy Capers

Tomb Blaster

Zufari

CHRISTMAS SHORT BREAKS
Book a festive short break and embark on Britain’s Wildest sleepover this November and December! As part of your short break package, you will receive up to 32% off* your entry ticket to Winter’s Tail, including the Christmas Village.
Plus, brand-new for Winter’s Tail 2025, experience the ultimate Christmas staycation in our Christmas Bedroom! Immerse yourself in the festivities and soak up the Christmas atmosphere surrounded by fairy lights, garlands and decorations around the whole room, plus your very own Christmas tree!
Your short break includes:
- An overnight stay in one of our Themed Resort Hotels
- 1-day entry to Winter’s Tail, including Theme Park, Zoo and SEA LIFE Aquarium
- Entry to the Christmas Village to meet Father Christmas
- Ranger's Academy hotel entertainment
- Access to the Savannah Splash Pool✝
- Plus, a delicious breakfast, free parking & WiFi
Hotel Early Ride Time is not available during Winter’s Tail
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid for selected Winter’s Tail dates between 22nd November and 31st December 2025. Subject to limited room availability.

Twixmas Family Fun
Looking to visit post Christmas? Enjoy all the fun that our Theme Park, Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium have to offer, plus Twixmas fun with Panto and Carollers.
From
£22pp
- One day entry to Winter's Tail (Christmas Panto, Festive Trail and Carollers)
- Entry to Theme Park, Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium (select rides and attractions)
- Under 90cms entry free
Online from
£32pp
- One day entry to Winter's Tail (Christmas Panto, Festive Trail and Carollers)
- Entry to the Christmas Village for Father Christmas' Grotto and Toy Workshop
- Entry to Theme Park, Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium (select rides and attractions)
- Under 90cms entry free
Online from
£53pp
Based on a family of 4
- One day entry to Winter’s Tail (Christmas Panto, Festive Trail and Carollers)
- Entry to the Christmas Village for Father Christmas’ Grotto and Toy Workshop
- Entry to Theme Park, Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium (select rides and attractions)
- Ranger's Academy hotel entertainment
Online from
£59
- Visit again and again and enjoy WILD adventures for all ages
- Access to ROARsome events throughout the year
- Extra benefits including discount on food, beverage and retail
PASSHOLDER PRE-BOOK
Tickets for Winter’s Tail are now live for Chessington and Merlin Annual Passholders to pre-book your entry.
Book NowVIP Experiences
Upgrade to the ultimate Christmas experience with our VIP packages!

FAQs
There are many ways to experience a festive day out to Winter's Tail! You can purchase an entry only ticket which gives you access to the Theme Park (selected Rides & Attractions), Zoo and SEA LIFE. Plus, a whole host of of festive fun from the Christmas Panto to a Festive Trail and Carollers.
Looking for more festive fun? Book a Winter's Tail & Christmas Village ticket you'll experience all of the above as well as access to the Christmas Village where you can journey through a festive wonderland to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto and wish the Elves in Enchanted Village: Toy Workshop a Merry Christmas!
Too much for just one day? Turn your magical day out into a short break in one of our themed resort hotels. When booking a short break, your stay includes entry to Winters Tail and the Christmas Village. PLUS, enjoy a delicious breakfast, FREE parking and hotel entertainment too!
The Christmas Village combines Father Christmas' Grotto and Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop in one Magical experience. Your journey begins being guided by Father Christmas' Elves to a cozy woodfire lit Grotto. Then adventure into Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop where you find the Elves and their workshop where you may just receive an early Christmas gift!
When booking your tickets to Chessington's Winter's Tail, you'll be able to select your time slot to visit the Christmas Village. This will be the time you can enter the Christmas Village, and will be shown on your ticket.
The Theme Park, Zoo and SEA LIFE open at 10am on the date of your visit. The time you have selected when booking your visit, is the time you can visit the Christmas Village.
Please note, you can only meet Father Christmas when you purchase a ticket to the Christmas Village. Santa's Grotto is the first stop in the Christmas Village! Join the merry Elves as they guide you through our festive wonderland to meet Father Christmas.
Enchanted Hollow is located in the Christmas Village. You’ll make your way from Father Christmas’ Grotto to Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop where you will meet the cheeky Elves who are busy preparing all of the toys for Christmas!
You can see the Elves working away at the Toy Workshop in Enchanted Hollow, which is the second stop in the Christmas Village.
Father Christmas along with his Elves will be enjoying a well deserved rest after the 25th December to start preparing for Christmas 2026. The Christmas Village will not be available between the 25th - 31st December.
Selected rides and attractions are available during Winter's Tail. Rides include:
- Adventure Tree Carousel
- Amazu
- Blue Barnacle
- Dragon's Playhouse
- Elmer's Flying Jumbos
- Griffin's Galleon
- Jungle Rangers
- Mamba Strike
- Mandrill Mayhem
- Ostrich Stampede
- Room on the Broom - A Magical Journey
- Sea Dragons
- The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure
- Tiny Truckers
- Tree Top Hoppers
- Trawler Trouble
Rides and attractions are subject to availability and may change at any time. Check Chessington's mobile app on the day of visit for more details. Hotel Early Ride Time is not available during Winter's Tail.
Absolutely! Guests can buy a pre-Christmas day ticket from £22 per person. Annual Passholders can also pre-book their entry via the Annual Passholder page.
Entry only tickets allows guests to enjoy select theme park rides and attractions, Chessington Zoo and SEA LIFE Aquarium, as well as Christmas Panto, Carollers, and Festive Trail.
Ride Access Pass will be released closer to the event. Ride Access Pass will not be available for the Christmas Village.
*From £22pp refers to a Winter’s Tail entry only ticket on select dates between 22nd November – 31st December 2025.
£32 Per Person is based on a Winter’s Tail & Christmas Village entry ticket on select dates between 22nd November and 24th December 2025.
£53 per person is based on 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years staying in a standard bedroom in the Safari Resort Hotel on select dates in November and December 2025.
^Exclusion dates, planned maintenance and seasonal attraction closures apply. Please check exclusion dates and operating calendar before making your purchase. Excludes paid events. For full terms and conditions and exclusion dates, visit: https://www.chessington.com/legal/terms-conditions/annual-passes/
† Complimentary access to the Savannah Splash Pool is subject to room type.
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid for selected Winter’s Tail dates between 22nd November and 31st December 2025. Subject to limited room availability.
Valid for new bookings only. Offer is valid on all Winter’s Tail Short Break packages at Chessington World of Adventures Resort when staying in our Resort Hotels or nearby partner hotels sold through chessington.com. Only available on Winter’s Tail Short Breaks bookings including tickets purchased directly via chessington.com. Offer excludes stays on dates when Winter’s Tail is not operating, including 21st, 28th November, 5th, 11th, 25th, and 26th December 2025.
Offer only valid when booked as part of a Theme Park Short Break package and does not apply to Bed & Breakfast bookings. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or loyalty discounts.
- Stay dates with 32% off Winter’s Tail entry include 29, 30 November, 06, 07, 24 December 2025.
- Stay dates with 31% off Winter’s Tail entry include 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 December 2025.
- Stay dates with 30% off Winter’s Tail entry include 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 December 2025.
- Stay dates with 29% off Winter’s Tail entry include 22, 23 November, 19 December 2025.
- Stay dates with 27% off Winter’s Tail entry include 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2025.
Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or loyalty discounts. Under 3’s enter free and therefore do not require a ticket. For the purpose of a Short Break at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a child is 15 years and younger. No child or children under the age of 18 will be admitted to the Chessington Resort Hotels unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over and such child or children whilst on site must remain under the control or supervision of an adult at all times. Merlin reserves the right, in its absolute discretion to change the age restrictions referred to in this condition, if any particular circumstances so require in the interests of safety and security.
All booking reservations are non-transferable, not for resale and will become automatically void on any transfer for value except as provided in the cancellation policy set out below. Bookings are only valid on the date printed on the booking reservation. Bookings will only be exchanged or refunded if Merlin, in its absolute discretion, chooses to do so. For the avoidance of any doubt, the total cost of a booking is non-refundable in the event that admission is refused or relinquished for any reason referred to in these Entry Conditions. Bookings made online will be delivered in accordance with Merlin’s delivery procedure.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort reserves the right to remove or amend this offer at any time. It is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. All short breaks at Chessington World of Adventures Resort are subject to attraction terms and conditions of entry https://www.chessington.com/legal/terms-conditions/
- All VIP experiences are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Any discounts can not be applied after purchase and partial refunds will not be given.
- A promotional discount can not be applied on top of pre-existing discounts (e.g. Annual Pass).
- We reserve the right to modify or cancel VIP experiences with no prior warning; all animals are subject to availability due to factors including, but not limited to health and weather restrictions.
- We reserve the right to cancel your experience if you fail to arrive at your designated meeting point by the time advised. In this instance the experience will not be rescheduled.
- Some experiences may not be suitable or may present challenges for some guests with disabilities, and we strongly advise contacting the team in advance with any enquiries or concerns.
- Expectant mothers are not permitted on any VIP experience.
- Hands must be washed after coming in contact with any animals.
- Do not touch your lips, eyes or face while in these areas. Hand sanitiser & hand washing facilities are provided.
- Staff must be alerted immediately to any cuts, abrasions or bites which occur during the experience.
- All instructions given by the team must be followed. Any guests not following instructions will be removed from the experience and possibly the Resort.
- Chessington World of Adventures Resort accepts no responsibility for any loss and/or damage while on our premises.
- All Experiences have a strict minimum age. Young adventurers (under the age of 16) must be accompanied by an adult (aged 16+) with a VIP experience ticket for the same date/time/experience.
- Any additional adults will not be able to observe the experience and will need to purchase additional day tickets if they would like to join the guests afterwards