Williamson Park opens its gates ‘After Dark’
Williamson Park is opening its gates ‘After Dark’ this November.
Running alongside Light Up Lancaster, Williamson Park will remain open until 10pm from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 November, giving visitors the chance to experience the park, Ashton Memorial and its zoo in a completely different light.
With activities for all ages taking place beneath the stars, visitors can enjoy an evening of entertainment, exploration and seasonal refreshments alongside the spectacular light art taking place across Lancaster city centre and within the park.
Councillor Paul Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services, said: “Williamson Park is a special place at any time of year, but experiencing it after dark will give visitors a completely different perspective. It promises to be a fantastic few evenings and I’d encourage people to come along and experience it for themselves.”
Visitors can get creative with free lantern making at the base of the Ashton Memorial steps and discover more about the park’s history through a series of guided historical tours. The lantern-making activity will run from 5pm to 10pm and is supported by the Friends of Williamson Park.
The park will also offer a series of special Night at the Zoo tours, giving visitors the opportunity to explore Williamson Park Zoo by torchlight after dark. Led by the park’s keepers, the tours will take visitors along the woodland trail, through the cave and past the insects, frogs and fish before heading into the butterfly house.
Visitors will be given a red torch to help them find their way while minimising disturbance to the animals. With just 15 places available on each tour, booking is essential. Tours will take place at 5.30pm-6.30pm, 7pm-8pm and 8.30pm-9.30pm each evening.
Tickets for Night at the Zoo cost £9 for adults, £5 for children and £25 for a family of four. For those wanting to discover more about Williamson Park’s past, guided historical tours will also run each evening, with three one-hour tours at 5.30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm.
Tickets cost £8 for standard admission and £6 for accompanied children. Seasonal refreshments will also be available throughout the evening, with visitors able to warm up with autumnal coffees, speciality hot chocolate and mulled wine.
With a shuttle bus operating between Dalton Square and Wyresdale Road car park at Williamson Park from 5pm to 10pm, visitors will be able to enjoy the brilliant light art in Lancaster city centre before heading up to the park to see more installations, plus the After Dark City, and witness the city from above.
Williamson Park After Dark runs from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 November 5-10pm. For more information and to book Night at the Zoo, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/williamson-park/williamson-park-events.
Last updated: 20 October 2026