Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu
Escher DeierePark, the free animal park in Esch-sur-Alzette, home to around 100 animals across 25 species, is entering 2026 with a new development project and the prospect of welcoming additional animal residents in the coming years.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Anne Meyers, Director of Escher DeierePark, said that the focus for 2026 will be on the initial phase of a long-term construction project, including the planned addition of three new tree houses. “This year is mainly about technical preparations,” she explained, adding that no major visible changes are expected in the short term, as the full project is planned to span two to three years.
The project also includes a container-style installation that will allow visitors to explore plants and habitats more closely. While the arrival of new animals will remain limited for now, one new species may be introduced. “We prefer to keep that as a surprise,” Anne Meyers said. She added that the development aims both to improve living conditions for the animals and to respond to strong visitor interest in the existing tree houses.
Most of the animals at Escher DeierePark are farm animals, including sheep, goats, rabbits and chickens. Among the more recent arrivals are raccoons and Highland cows, while one of the park’s two land turtles is around 75 years old.
Looking ahead, alpacas are planned as future residents as part of the same development project and are expected to be housed in the area designated for the new tree houses once construction reaches a later stage.
The park will continue to offer its regular activities throughout the year, including bookable programmes for private individuals and schools, alongside its usual seasonal events. The highlight of the year will once again be the annual Wanterfest, taking place over the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026, when the park will be transformed into a winter-themed setting at the Gaalgebierg, featuring an igloo village with a craft market, a covered ice rink and a campfire area.
Nearby, the new Gaalgebierg playground opened on Wednesday 24 December 2025. Following the start of construction works in mid-November, children were able to enjoy a fully renovated play area just in time for the end-of-year holidays.
