Amazing ! The show was great as well. I love how in and out it was and all the lights I seen. Very beautiful place to go to with a friend, loved ones, even kids! They have food trucks, photo tunnels, great performances, etc. unfortunately I picked a rainy day but it was still a blast ! Would definitely go back. Tickets aren't much either. They were flexible on me having to reschedule as well. Was going to go back this year, this experience was three years ago but this past 2025 year, tickets were $50-60$, not worth that much read more

I love the Chinese Lantern Festival. I make a point to go every year. There is a different theme every year, and the lighted exhibits for the theme. There are also interactive exhibits and acrobatic/performance shows. There is is ample parking at Koka Booth. Also, the ticket prices are less expensive in person than via the website. If you're trying g to go on a holiday or weekend, you may not want to take a chance. However, we save about $15 for three tickets buying in person for a Tuesday night in January. This year, I overheard someone say, "It's like walking through Avatar." I think that's a perfect description! read more

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Amazing experience even on a very very cold day. Bring disposable hand and feet warmers! Way more extensive than was expecting. I was a bit upset the canceled the performance for the rest of the night for when we bought our tickets. No refund or money back. There is a lot of walking dress comfortably read more

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I'm visiting from California and happen to be here for this event. I really enjoyed the lights, the train sets, and the acrobatics. The kids enjoyed the bubble machine, the mirror maze, the colored floor tiles, and the rest of the games. It was a wonderful family experience and we stayed until closing. The food stands were a miss, but everything else was A+! read more

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The Chinese Lantern Festival has changed a lot (in a good way) since the first time I've seen it. There are a lot more activities and attractions. It's truly a beautiful event, full of color and artistry. It looked like something out of Pokemon this year. The performance show was okay; it was difficult for my kids to enjoy because tall people were standing in their way. They did enjoy the smoke bubbles though; that was very popular! When you pop the bubbles, smoke emerges. They also had a cannon releasing smoke rings. Kids were screaming in delight. The mirror maze and colored floor tiles were also a hit. There is food available, but overpriced. read more

We hadn't been here for a couple years so decided to check it out again. They definitely have add more lanterns over the years especially one with movement. We had a good time and definitely will return. The hot chocolate is delicious and overall our experience from parking to exit was great. read more

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I am not sure what I expected showing up but this was so much more. We walked around the whole place taking pictures like weel were kids in wonderland. The day we went was a kinda cold so we missed the performance unfortunately because they cancelled it for weather. Everything otherwise was amazing and I want to come back next year because I hear it changes up. read more

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Parking was easy and getting in was a breeze. Soon as you walk in, it was amazing! All the lights and the vibrancy of the colors! It by far exceeded my expectations. Lights were everywhere, everyone happy and excited! They was plenty refreshments for sale, hot coco and even spiked coco! Food was offered as well. The stage constantly had great performers showcasing their specialty. This is an experience you don't want to miss!! read more

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This was definitely a fun activity to do once. I would improve on how they let people into the festival- one long line for everyone? It should start out right away with separate lines- no bags, bags and strollers. I do like the digital program but it was not that easy to find the times of the dances for the main stage. I did love all the vibrant colors abound and i'm glad they limited the amount of people in it. I also like the fact that there is free parking- the walk was 3 minutes to the main gate. Check them out- they do have senior and children's rates as well. read more

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What a beautiful event!! This was the 10th Anniversary of the Festival in Cary, NC. It takes place from sometime in November to the early part of January every year. I went with my daughter and her family for the first time this year (this was their fourth year attending). It was stunning! Apparently, every year they have a different sort of theme, for example last year was mainly "under the sea" and this year was more flowers and woodland creatures. They also have a show where performers dance, juggle, etc...It takes place in a large concert venue with plenty of room to walk around and see the various large displays. Food trucks and venders are also available. My grandchildren love the interactive play area. They ran around popping smoke bubbles, cranking musical instruments, swinging on neon lighted circular swings, etc....I would recommend this festival to anyone young or old! I felt the price was actually reasonable as well. read more

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Absolutely love this event. They change the theme yearly and this year they had a lot more activities for kids. We got to see the great show with the jugglers and amazing space walk. The twilight show is great and it's easy to get a parking spot nearby at the 4:30 show. It was freezing out today which was the only negative. If you haven't attended this event don't delay. read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Wow! We loved it. Delightful for all ages! Some great entertainment on the stage and a few really yummy food trucks for your dinner. The hot cocoa was yummy and you can add a shot of Bailey's- great for a cold night! We paid for the preferred parking- a must. So easy for our older guests to not have to walk too far before even getting to the event and getting out was a piece of cake too. read more

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We had such a great time at @ncchineselanternfestival ! It was beautifully done and was the perfect night to walk around and see and the wonderful lanterns and learn more about the culture. Definitely something we will do again!!!! We got the twilight time slot so it wasn't dark when we arrived but it was pretty slow for the first half hour. On our way out it was packed. We skipped the show as that doesn't interest us so while others were watching the show we took a ton of pics with no one in the background. It was great! I'm SO glad parking was right there. I hate when you have to walk a lot even to get to the front gate. read more

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This is the tenth year of the festival, and we have been going for about five. Every year it gets so much better! The past couple of years they have grown their kids area, and we adults enjoy it as much (or more) than the kids do. They have also added more and more lanterns with moving parts, including interactive games this year. The lantern installations over the water always amaze me. Concessions have also expanded with several food trucks this year (including gluten and dairy free options). We'll be back for what has become an annual tradition. read more

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Came on Christmas Eve (bought our tickets early in December before they sold out by 12/15), and was a little nervous about capacity. However, we came around 6:30pm, and it wasn't too bad. It was busy, but not busy enough where there were lines for the cafe or the food trucks. Everything moves pretty consistently, so there wasn't too much standing around. All of the lantern displays are BEAUTIFUL. I loved the placards with the description of the Chinese mythical history. Each display had me in awe. I did not give it 5 stars as there was not much options for food. Yes there were a few items at the cafe and there were food trucks, but the food truck menus were limited (Koka Booth told the vendors that they could not serve certain items). So plan ahead if you are interested in the food! 8/10 - beautiful displays, meh on refreshments read more

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The Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater is a great display. It was my first time at the venue so I appreciated the signs along the way to know where to park and which entrance to take. I arrived before anyone was directing traffic. I was there on a warmer night but then the rain started. I wouldn't go again if it was raining as the drainage wasn't the best so there were deep puddles and other areas were slippery with mud. But I really enjoyed it before the rain. They had an area to wait in line before the gates opened. Then there were two areas for bag checks then tickets were scanned before you went through the metal detector. They are strict with the bags so remember to bring a clear bag to make it easier and faster. The lanterns are around the water so you can see the reflections. Then there is an area for children near the covered concession area. There were hourly performances on the stage if you could see through the rows of umbrellas. I look forward to seeing the displays in 2024! read more

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Gorgeous display. Took me back to where I grew up in the far East. Limited disabled parking and the terrain wasn't very accessible but if you can manage with a cane, you should be ok. There's a lot of grassy areas on inclines so I recommend staying on the path with the main lights. Food was limited. They had Asian inspired food that didn't sound very appetizing. I skipped the food and decided to focus on the lanterns. Lots of kids running around so be careful and be prepared to dodge them. They have a small or clear bag policy and be prepared to wait in one line to get in. Bags can't be bigger than 6x9 or have a clear one. read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Overall a fun experience, I went with a group of people and thankfully purchased parking beforehand which saved a lot of time. Overall, this was a very cool experience. I wish there was more though. It seemed more expansive in the videos online but what the videos show is really it. Plus if you go on a weekend it's super crowded and you don't get to enjoy each piece since people are crowding you. The performances were good but the shows are really quick. Personally I feel like you do this once and check it off the list. Cool to see once but with the price and crowds, it is kind of a one and done. I do recommend paying for premium parking as you are feet away from the entrance and exiting is easy. Plus it is only $10. read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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A great family outing that is reasonably priced and has lots to do for all ages. From the food, to the acrobats, and all the sites to see I recommend. It's especially good for out of town guests visiting during the holidays. Look up dates as this attraction does not run year round. read more

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A must see! This is our second time attending this festival. This time we opted to buy the Twilight Tickets to avoid the crowds, which let us in at 4:30pm. It is so much more enjoyable to be able to walk around without crowds and long lines. There's also a kids area that is way more mellow during the twilight hour. Right after 6pm this place gets busy!!! We stuck around for the 6:30pm show, and afterwards the lines for photo ops and the trails were incredibly packed. The show had some really unique performances (some reminded me of a cirque du soleil show). When we were leaving traffic was sooo backed up with lines of cars waiting to park. My reason for 4 stars is the crazy high ticket fees! I just wish places would stop with the insane fees or build it into the pricing. For the Twilight tickets it was an additional $8.50 per adult ticket if purchasing online!! We ended up going to the box office the week before to purchase tickets to avoid the crazy fees. They still tack on a small percentage at the box office, but nothing like online. The box office has pretty limited hours though, so you might be stuck in festival traffic just to pick up cheaper tickets. read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - Dragonfly - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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This is such a fun experience. A delight to the eyes and senses. At first I thought the price was a little steep to go look at lighted figures, but it was so much more than that. Snacks, hot chocolate to keep you warm, drinks if you Imbibe, live music, and sensory exhibits, as well as a series of tent gift vendors. Make sure you dress warm and give it a go, at the very least you'll get some great photos. read more

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I really enjoyed my experience here! My favorite thing about the festival was all the informative signs. Each exhibit had a sign explaining what it was, and why it was significant. I really like that the festival has an educational component. It allows people to learn something about Chinese culture in addition to enjoying the pretty lights. I also like that they had recycling! Sustainability is really important. For next year, to improve even more, my suggestion would be to stop using styrofoam for food and drink service. Finally, other people have said the festival gets pretty crowded, but that wasn't my experience. I did not think it was too crowded at all. But I went on a Tuesday!! read more

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Attended the Chinese Lantern festival and what a visual delight! Given the large crowd, parking was easier than expected. There was a bag/ no bag separation of lines making entry faster for those with no carry along items. Beautiful display but may not be a good choice for people who are sensitive to a "close crowd." read more

so beautiful and a must-visit experience!!! went on a chilly thursday evening right at 6pm, before the crowds formed, and found a parking spot easily. spent about an hour walking through all the exhibits, which were gorgeous. i especially liked that there were boards explaining all of the artwork. i also really enjoyed the stage show, which was very cool and seemed to be massively popular with the small children in the audience. the food they sell is okay, but i appreciate that it's slightly different fare from other fair/festival food. i took the fries home and microwaved them and they massively improved, lol. i also got a hot chocolate while watching the stage show, which was delicious and warmed me up nicely. i'm really glad i took an evening out and went to this! read more

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We definitely got that first-time Disney feeling seeing all the light from a distance as we approach the theater in our car. The lines were long to park your car, and even the paid parking lot was full. I highly suggest just doing the free parking. We did not have to walk far at all. We really enjoyed the different lanterns, and learning about our Chinese zodiac sign mine was the Monkey. My sign was on point to a T. I thought they would have a good selection of authentic Chinese food wrong. Although they did have food trucks and cafe to purchase items from, that only took cards. Overall, it was a nice family outing to say we did it. read more

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I absolutely love this festival! These beautifully crafted, handmade lanterns that scatter throughout koka both will have you in awe as you wander around the grounds. They have pieces ranging from pandas and dinosaurs to a full palace! They introduce and add new lanterns every year to keep you coming back! They also have shows on stage showing traditional Chinese culture that is absolutely stunning! Feeling a little hungry as you wander around? No worries, there is a food stand and food trucks for you to grab a bite from as you explore! You will not be disappointed in this incredible festival! read more

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This was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had! It was a bit cold but the light show was totally awesome!

Definitely worth a visit if you've never been! Some of the light displays were even moving which made it that much neater. The shows on stage were a bet meh and the emcee did not sound all that excited but otherwise the light displays are really cool and there are quite a few interactive displays as well. They do sell food including a few food trucks. Lots of kids roaming around. read more

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Organized parking situation. There is free parking at the space where this was held. I love a good parking situation. Quick entrance and the grounds were clean. Very nice displays and an overall excellent experience of the light exhibits. I enjoyed browsing through and enjoying the displays. read more

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First time going to this event which happens yearly! Really enjoyed it! Well organized and fun for the whole family, young or old!

This is a pretty cool thing to do for people of all ages. The Lantern Festival happens every year at Koka Booth Amphitheater. They have concession stands that serve snacks, hot chocolate, beer, and wine. The lanterns are incredibly elaborate. They offer military and veteran discounts. The parking situation can get a little intense, so be prepared for a lot of walking. They do have people to help guide you to parking areas. The dates usually run right before Thanksgiving and through mid January. So there is plenty of time to catch it. read more

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Absolute must see! It is a wonderful holiday event. This year nights have been selling out so i bought 6 tickets days early at the Koko ticket booth, also avoided $7 online fees. After entering through a beautiful way in, we bought hot chocolate quickly, and then enjoyed some interactive art and a show of delightful entertainer's. We then took the lighted path filled with beautiful light displays which had many opportunities for photos with family for some great memories. I would recommend dressing nice and bring your camera but do not wear nice shoes. Some of the areas are mucky. The festival also offers dusk hours which is great for families with small kids where as later hours would be a great date night. read more

The interactive level and lanterns were so much better than previous years. My toddler absolutely loved it. The smoke bubbles and light up stars to jump on were a huge hit. I mean, it was packed and crowded around 6pm (1st Sunday), but for what it is, the lines went pretty fast. Not sure what happened to the food trucks, but we were able to eat ahead of time (and there's the expensive snack court). The large crowds were gone at 8pm if you're able to wait that long. We brought our stroller (as did a few families) but it's honestly just an hour snail-pace stroll along a probably 0.5 mi (?) stretch so we barely needed it throughout the night. Whoever has the stroller is in for a hard time, anyways :') There are areas to sit, given it's koka booth, so unless you have multiple kids, it may not be worth the hassle. Worth the money this year and would probably choose to go on a weeknight. read more

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As a new resident of North Carolina, I was excited to have received complimentary tickets as a Yelp Elite. There are light decorations and events in California too, and I was quite underwhelmed with that show. The Chinese Lantern Festival was far better than the light decoration event in the Los Angeles Area (which cost even more by double per ticket). For $15 (cash) or $15.89 (credit) for an adult, you'll get to experience constant entertainment. There's so much to see in the 1/2 mile walk. It didn't feel like a 1/2 mile at all, because you're looking forward to every single display. I learned that the displays are made and built in China and assembled on site within 3 weeks. I heard that the displays are different every year. Plus, some of the displays are interactive. For example, someone needs to peddle a stationary bike to light up the elephant. There were also three showings of about 30-minute performance of Chinese Acrobat. I have to say, it was thrilling to watch few of the balancing acts. So, it's much more than a place for your Instagram story. It's a place for couples, family with little ones, and locals who need something new. I spent about 1 hour 45 minutes at the place enjoying a hot chocolate. You can find out the snack menu on their website. The only eatery that was open on a Tuesday night for us was the Crescent Cafe. So, come after you already had your dinner. read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - View from the stage - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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My boyfriend and I had a great time last week at the Lantern Festival. I received two free tickets as a Yelp Elite perk, and I'm so happy we went! The festival is very organized! We received a map listing the various displays along the 1/2 mile walk. We were very impressed by the craftsmanship of these lanterns. They are mainly made in one city in China, and several of the lanterns on display were made exclusively for the Cary Lantern Festival and shipped to the NC Ports. It took us about 45 minutes to view all of the various lantern displays. Many of the lanterns are lit with over 15,000 LED lights! There were several performances scheduled, but we didn't stay for those. I definitely recommend going to this festival at least once in your lifetime. It's absolutely beautiful!! read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - The Entrance to the event. Parking was free! - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

The Chinese Lantern Festival is such a beautiful, fun activity to bring family, friends, or a date. So far I've been twice, and it just gets better each year! This year they had a lot of interactive lanterns which I loved, like an elephant that changed colors as you peddled a stationary bike. My other favorite exhibit was the butterfly tree that you see when you make it past the tunnel at the entrance. The performances were also incredible! Make sure you come at a time when you can catch them (I think it's at the start of every hour). I don't want to spoil anything, but trust me when I say you'll be amazed. The crowds are definitely more tolerable if you go on a week night, so I'd recommend that if you can. There's plenty of parking and bathrooms at the location as well. read more

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This was my first time attending this event since covid shut it down last year. It truly was worth the wait. We attended the sunset experience and it was gorgeous. The lanterns are truly beautiful and the interactive displays are super cool. The Live shows, food trucks, and fresh air makes it a truly memorable night out. If you haven't checked it out you definitely should. read more

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First, a disclaimer that my husband and I visited via complimentary tickets from Yelp. That being said, we had a great time! We knew there were going to be dazzling and colorful light displays, but we did not expect live entertainment from visiting Chinese acrobats. I don't want to spoil their feats of strength and agility by describing them here. I'll just note that it's definitely worth catching the 30-minute shows that are performed at 7, 8, and 9. We also enjoyed watching a brief video that showed how the lanterns are made (silk stretched over a metal frame, then painted and detailed). Most of the larger lantern displays were created on site in Cary, just for the show (some will eventually travel to other sites). An employee/volunteer told us that it took a team of 28 people 3 weeks to assemble all of the lanterns! Finally, if you hit up the concession stand, I recommend the fried green beans! (The sweet and sour chicken was just so-so). PS: Parking on a Tuesday evening was super easy! read more

Chinese Lantern Festival - Festivals Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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You'll have eye candy o'plenty with beautiful light displays along a paved walking path and even an interesting stage show to wow you. You can wait in line to sound a drum or test your luck with a spin of a chance wheel. The lines are much shorter toward the end of the night rather than right after opening time. The line to purchase tickets at around 6:30 pm was approximately 10 minutes long on a Sunday. Definitely worth the wait. You can buy tix online but there is a surcharge which may or may not be worth it to you. The paved path winds around toward the water and there are displays on the water which make beautiful reflections for photos. The stage show began around 8 pm and lasted almost 30 minutes. It included balancing acts, a hula artist, and more. You can grab a bite to eat or get some hot chocolate if there's a chill in the air. The concession area had souvenirs like panda bears for sale. Overall, a beautiful light display event. Rock on Chinese Lantern Festival! read more

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I have been wanting to check this out for years, and thanks to Yelp Elite Perk, I got to check it out with friends for FREE! For years, I have seen my friends post pictures from this event, so when I saw this on the list of future events, I submitted my name to win tix. Last night was the perfect night to attend due to mild weather. We got to the event before it opened at 6pm (hoping to avoid the crowds). Parking was a breeze (and free); the welcome display was just the start for a fun evening. There are numerous displays and tunnels throughout Koka Booth Amphitheater for everyone to enjoy; each is clearly labeled and provides some background information. The exhibits are interactive including one that had an exercise bike to contribute to the light show. There were so many unique and beautiful displays that we went through twice. Many of the displays are designed to encourage the users to touch and have fun. There were a set of swings that change colors, musical keyboard (like the one in BIG, but with better color) and a dinosaur playground for the kids (I will be honest, I probably would have checked it out too if my friends had been up for it). We spent about 45 minutes touring, exploring and taking pictures. The reflections on the water for a number of the exhibits only enhanced the experience. My favorite display was the Phoenix (although w/o reading the sign, we thought it was a cross between a chicken and a dragon); the colors and movement were awesome. I am very glad I was able to experience this event. I encourage you to go early as the crowds increase after the initial rush. This will just give you a better opportunity to take pictures and explore without interruptions/distraction­s. read more