Everything you need to know about the Knowsley Safari Seaside Carnival event happening over half-term

It’s not just some of the world’s greatest animals you can enjoy at Knowsley Safari this month.

Throughout the half-term holiday Knowsley Safari is getting ready to head to the coast for its fantastic Seaside Carnival event.

“Guests really enjoy the nostalgia that traditional seaside games bring, and children love having a go at the different acrobatic workshops,” says marketing manager Ian Duke.

“There really is something for everyone and it was so popular last year that we decided to bring it back for 2024.”

So if you want to soak up the family fun, here’s everything you need to know:

Knowsley Safari - Seaside Carnival — Credit: Knowsley Safari

Where is the Seaside Carnival event being held?

You’ll find all the fun of the fair at Knowsley Safari in Prescot.

When’s it on?

It’s on throughout the half-term holiday from Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2, between 11am and 4pm, however Knowsley Safari is open each day 10am – 6pm.

How much is it?

All the activities and entertainment on offer at the Seaside Carnival event are available as part of the general admission cost which starts at £15 person (children under three are free!). BUT if you book online during the event you’ll save a whopping 25% and with 25% off, the cheapest children’s ticket is just £16.88!

What sort of things can I do?

You can have a go at all kinds of fab and fun activities including acrobatic skills like aerial silks, hula-hooping, and plate-spinning, and pier-themed games and stalls like the coconut shy and hook-a-duck – and that’s on top of Knowsley Safari’s usual exciting rides and amusements.

Entertain me!

If you want to take things easier, you can grab yourself an ice-cream and relax on the golden sand while you enjoy a host of themed performers including giant stilts walkers.

What’s on when?

If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the amazing entertainment or activities, here’s your hour-by-hour checklist of everything that’s going on each day:

11am – The big welcome from the stilt walkers

11.13am – Silks performance and workshop

12pm – Carnival skills workshop which includes mini stilts, juggling, hula-hooping and globe walking

12.30pm – Acro performance and workshop

1pm – Carnival skills workshop

1.30pm – Carnival skills workshop

2pm – Performance and carnival skills workshop

2.30pm – Hoop performance and workshop

3pm – Carnival skills workshop

3.30pm – Aerial loops performance and workshop

* All workshops last 30 minutes, and are weather dependant and subject to change.

Can I still see the animals?

Of course! No trip to Knowsley would be the same without the chance to get up-close-and-personal to its hundreds of wild and wonderful residents, on foot or on the safari drive, from the Amur tigers and African lions, to the Southern white rhino, Bactrian camels, and Iberian wolves … as well as the giraffes, sea lions, meerkats and those mischievous baboons.

There’s lots of other things that are new too

Why not visit Bear Country which is home to the safari’s latest additions, Andean bears Bahia and Chui. Learn how well the pair have settled in and how conservation experts at Knowsley are helping to protect this vulnerable species (and see if you can spot Chui showing off as he cracks open a coconut!).

Can it get any more fun?

A little bit actually – you can now download the free Safari Drive app which shares loads of fun facts along the route, as well as visitor maps so you can find your way around easily.

And don’t forget…

If you’re feeling peckish, you can grab a bite to eat in Knowsley Safari’s Oasis Restaurant or Outdoor Food Court, or pack a picnic and choose your place to eat. If you fancy coffee and cake, just head to the Coffee House, perfectly placed next to the giant sandpit and children’s play areas.

How do I get there?

Knowsley Safari’s in Prescot, on the A58 bypass. It’s well signposted and just off the M57, less than 30 minutes away from Liverpool and just 45 minutes away from Manchester. If you’re planning your route on Google Maps or using Sat Nav, the address is: Knowsley Safari, Prescot, L34 4AN.

There are great public transport links; you can even walk to the safari from Prescot town centre, and the baboon bus is available to book during the weekends and most days throughout school holidays and half terms!