Chester Zoo To Unleash The Wild Side of Deva Fest  #Events

Victoria Hayes
29th April 2025

This summer, something wild is heading to the heart of Deva Fest…and it’s roaring with colour, creativity and conservation!

Deva Fest, the north west’s award winning family friendly festival, not only has one of its best line ups yet with disco legend Gloria Gaynor headlining but festival organisers also thrilled to announce that Chester Zoo, the UK’s leading conservation zoo, will be making its festival debut bringing a spectacular celebration of wildlife, wonder and hands-on fun to the fields of Cholmondeley Castle from the 7th – 10th August.

This unique partnership will bring an unmissable fusion of nature and imagination where festival goers can step into a world of glowing animal lanterns, poo-powered science, wild dress-up, and creative crafts – all inspired by the zoo’s global efforts to protect endangered species and habitats.

Light Up Your Wild Side
Some of the zoo’s famous animal lanterns ( originally handcrafted for its iconic Lanterns and Light event) will illuminate Deva Fest with magical colour and movement. These larger-than-life interactive puppets, inspired by real creatures from around the globe, promise to dazzle kids and adults alike throughout the weekend.

Yes, There Will Be Poo Parties!
Hold your noses and your giggles – Chester Zoo’s energetic Zoo Rangers will be hosting daily “poo-parties” packed with music, movement and, yes, actual science. Designed for younger children, these sessions mix games, dancing, and a big dose of fun, while teaching how animal waste plays a role in conservation.

Creative Corners & Chill Spaces
Need a break from the festival buzz? Drift into the zoo’s craft and storytelling zone, where beanbags, books, and make-your-own animal art await. Whether you’re building pollinator crowns or designing mythical creatures, it’s a space for imaginations to run wild.

Get Hands-On with Conservation
At Chester Zoo’s Discover stations, visitors can try out the real tools of wildlife conservation – from pangolin trackers to bat detectors and dung analysis. It’s science, but way cooler (and sometimes smellier) than your average classroom.

Dress to Express Your Inner Animal
Ready to release your festival beast? Dive into the dress-up station filled with animal costumes, accessories, and face painting galore. Whether you’re roaring like a tiger or fluttering like a butterfly, this is your time to shine.

Shop for a Cause
The Chester Zoo pop-up shop will be stocked with cuddly soft toys, animal tees, and fun gifts for all ages. Every purchase helps support the zoo’s mission to build a world where wildlife can thrive.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be teaming up with Chester Zoo for this year’s Deva Fest. Their creativity, energy, and passion for conservation align perfectly with the spirit of our festival. It’s not just about music and entertainment – it’s about creating meaningful experiences for families. Bringing the magic of the zoo into our festival is something really special, and we can’t wait for our guests to explore, discover, and go a little wild!”  Phil Marston, Deva Fest Founder

Gemma Wright, Visitor Experience General Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “We’re super excited to be part of this year’s Deva Fest. It’s a wonderful family-friendly festival and we can’t wait to get out there and talk to a host of new audiences about why we do what we do –  ensure a world where threatened species not only survive, but thrive for generations to come.”

Joining Gloria Gaynor at Deva Fest  are multi-platinum Scottish trio The Fratellis, Happy Mondays, 90’s pioneers of the Madchester scene, and Matt Goss, the Bros superstar bringing his celebrated solo show to the festival stage. Dance music fans will also be thrilled to see chart-topping DJ and producer Sigala, who will keep the party alive with his infectious beats.

Don’t miss this wild and wonderful adventure – only at Deva Fest! Where music meets conservation, and every moment is an invitation to explore.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit www.devafest.co.uk.