We have attended more than 80 concerts and this was quite possibly the worst experience we have ever had. First the ticket buying process was an absolute nightmare. The website not allowing certain seats to be chosen and choosing seats for you. The vip add on was not available at ticket purchase and we had to communicate that to the tour for it to get added on the website. Next, the security team was overall the absolute rudest people we have ever encountered. We had multiple interactions 1. There was a medical emergency where the patient was waiting a very long time for medical. In the meantime we asked if they would like our fans to cool down the child. When one of the members of security screamed at us about our tickets. Which was not the question. 2. We were in the front row where we were standing and dancing. As soon as the show started we missed the first 10 minutes arguing with a member of security with her telling us to sit down. The artist had already asked people to stand, dance and have a good time three times. We have been to almost 30 shows with this particular artist all over the US including the Ryman and Carnegie Hall. Not once have we been told to sit down by security. We were watching a concert in an outdoor ampitheater NOT a library. In addition, this specific female security person was very rude. The artist witnessed what was happening and said for a FOURTH time stand up and dance. So finally security left us alone. This was definitely the worst experience we have ever had at a show. If I could leave a zero review I definitely would. read more

I absolutely love this amphitheater. I have been to many events here. I finally made it to the Chinese Lantern Festival and I must say that it was amazing! There was so much to see! The colors, the lighting, the activities for the kids....great job yall! read more

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Koka Booth Amphitheatre is not a venue that does well with handling large crowds. I was there for the Chinese Lantern Festival. I arrived early and paid for Preferred Parking so I didn't have an issue finding a spot. Leaving on the other hand was a crazy mess. It took forever to maneuver out through various lots while dealing with incoming cars trying to find a spot in a full lot. When I finally got to the road the cars were everywhere some trying to get into a lot across the street. I cannot imagine how bad it would be with a concert and people arriving around the same time. The venue was too full . I did the Twilight so there were not many people at first but then there were so many it was hard to walk anywhere. Even though the night was sold out, they were letting more people in who did not have tickets for the night in a stand by line. All I know is there were too many people inside with a long line waiting to get in from outside the entrance. While I enjoyed the Lantern Festival displays, the dangerous sized crowds and parking situation will keep me away from returning next year. The stage show had talented performers as well as the music being played by the woman in the center. Food was expensive and not good. I ordered the fried rice with the chicken bites. The chicken part was good but the rice was mushy as it was sitting too long in the container. I didn't realize it wasn't made after ordering. Service was friendly but I can see why nobody else was eating the food other than pretzels and popcorn. read more

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This is a wonderful amphitheater. We came for the Australian Pink Floyd show and really had a great experience. We will definitely be back for the Lantern display and other cool events. The snacks and bar service were friendly & efficient, the bathrooms clean, and the sound quality were excellent. On a cool moonlit evening, this place is pure joy. Good times with good friends. read more

Came here a few days ago for a jazz event. I'm always impressed by how intimate of an environment this place is. It can really bring out the best in the performing acts. The view from the stage looking out into the crowd is awesome as well. The food is decent and the beverage selection is more than adequate. I love coming here to visit, whether it be for tacos and taps or stage performances. Always a great time! read more

Great venue! We visited for the Chinese Lantern Festival and really enjoyed the show. Plenty of parking available, very friendly staff checking in/scanning tickets and running security. After entering, we purchased some food and drinks- all actually reasonably priced for an event space. I got a canned bubbly wine for $10 and we also got some onion rings and apple pie dumplings. Nice to be able to fill up without spending an arm and a leg. The light displays and live performances were great too, very entertaining. I would definitely recommend the lantern festival and I'd come here for a concert too! read more

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When we bought our $200 plus tickets to see Willie Nelson we were assured that there would be "plenty" of handicapped parking available. We arrived at 6:30, two hours before Willie started performing, and there was NO handicapped parking left. I had to push my 90 year mother-in-law's wheel chair for half a mile. When we got near the entrance we saw that there were PLENTY, I MEAN DOZENS, of the $30 premium parking spaces empty. A $200 ticket, especially for a 90 year handicapped person should include parking in one of those spots. I will NEVER go back to that HELL HOLE. Read about the frustration economy. read more

They have a bag size rule and I had to walk half a mile back to put up a bag. It was 2 inches too big but then the guy two people behind me they let through with a huge bag. Inconsistent enforcement of their rules. Also, the free parking was not really well labeled. There were signs that kept saying free parking to the right hand lane and then we passed by it because it's actually in the left-hand lane where you have to be to turn. read more

Koka Booth is a beautiful outdoor venue. I have not attended a concert here but did attend the Chinese Lantern Festival in 2021 and enjoyed how spacious this venue is. I enjoyed some spiked hot chocolate from the concession stand and watched the traditional performances during the festival at the main stage. I look forward to attending a concert here in the near future. read more

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I enjoy seeing and supporting local talent and businesses. I've thoroughly enjoyed every event I've ever attended at Koka Booth. A great event space for all events. read more

Attending the Chinese Lantern Festival at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre was a cool experience. It was really neat seeing how they created different lantern structures from dinosaurs, to frogs and dragons! On top of that, at the festival, was also live performances of acrobatic dances as well as a traditional Chinese face changing dance called bian lian. Everyone that performed was super talented. Most importantly, you will find food trucks offering a variety of different foods (and even alcohol!). I highly recommend going to this festival! read more

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Been here a few times for concerts and festivals! Love the atmosphere and will be back many more times read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Illuminated, colorful dragon on the water at the Chinese Lantern Festival - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Food here is horrible! I got the miso noodles for $11 and its literally 1/4 of a top ramen packet sitting in flavorless broth. DO NOT TRUST THE PICTURES. I also got the chicken here and it was hard as a rock and super salty. 10/10 do not recommend the food. Just look at the lights, enjoy the show and keep moving. read more

We have attended MANY events at Koka Booth over the years and have been Summerfest season ticket holders for well over a decade. The venue itself is lovely, with flexible seating offering good visibility and a setup that provides great sound. THE STAFF, however, manage to detract from nearly every event. From the overzealous "bag checkers" to the aggressive ticket demanders to the officious roaming security staff, every encounter is pretty much overwrought and unpleasant. We stopped buying the way-pricier table seating because of overbearing Koka Booth staff. It's a shame they put such a damper on wonderful events (or as one said of the symphony last night "the play" (what?). Complaining to the box office, the Symphony, or the staff supervisors does no good. The excellent music overshadows the problem, thank goodness, but beware of workers with a tiny sense of personal power. read more

Nice overall venue for concerts and other events. Tuesday was our second visit here, the first being in 2016 for the Chinese Lantern Festival. This time it was for the Robert Plant - Allison Krauss concert. Luckily, I wasn't the oldest person in the venue. My date (my wife) was like, "Robert who?" No babe, he was the lead singer for Led Zeppelin not The Who. Growing up we obviously had different musical tastes. No matter where you sit whether it be upfront or in the lawn area, you can still hear the music really well and see the stage. The concession area lines move really quick with fast and courteous service. On this night, there were four food trucks off to the left of the stage near the pond area. We patronized the Charlie Kabob truck. Parking at Koka Booth is fairly simple and easy. There is paid and free parking (while spaces last). The free parking is furthest from the entrance and can be a bit of a walk. Get there early and tailgate to avoid the traffic. read more

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Koka Booth is a great place to attend a concert or event. The Chinese Lantern Festival that occurs every year is a must visit. I really liked the food and drink options that they had for it this past year. Sign up for their email communications to stay up-to-date on what is coming here. read more

I love this venue! A first-class outdoor amphitheater with excellent sight lines and sound, which is very important for a music venue. The facilities are top-notch and very well maintained. Food and beverage options are terrific. The staff is very courteous and works hard to ensure that a good time is had by all. Of all of the outdoor venues I've been to, this is my favorite. read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Billy Strings! - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

TLDR: Good fairly intimate venue with average alcohol and food sections. Lawn still brings good views, bring a chair, skip it in bad weather. This venue is somewhat dependent on which event and companies are involved hence the negative experiences some people had at a recent popular event. I have only a few check ins here but have been many times for various events and activities. The majority of the time, the staff is organized and it's clear where to park and how to get around. Larger crowds are becoming more common everywhere you may go in the triangle and as such bring some patience and come early. There's very limited covered seating here so plan accordingly if the weather is trash. Okay to bring chairs and blankets. Usually have wine/beer available and a few other small food items. Sometimes events will have a food truck option but usually I've found they stick to the normal concessions. Overall I've always enjoyed the things I've seen here and made a few memories. read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Lawn view - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

The Chinese Lantern Festival in Carey, NC is an amazing experience during the holiday seasons! Tickets on off days are reasonably priced with plenty to see. It provides a unique insight into the Chinese culture while also telling some of the Chinese most infamous tales; such as The Monkey King and other lore. They serve warm drinks and food at the festival if you get hungry. Overall a phenomenal experience and highly recommend for anyone to see. read more

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Do you enjoy being hassled? Treated with disrespect? Feeling like you are in an airport? Well Koko Booth is for you. No iced tea through the gate, only water. Only one bottle of water, does not matter if it is 8 oz. Or a gallon size. No sitting on under the awning. No chairs under the awning. No coolers, but maybe coolers. Security must have flunked out the Walmart greeter/guard school, but Koko Booth hired them anyway. Cheers to all !! read more

Amazing funnel cake fries, Went to see symphony and there were two violins that visitors could play, amazing cover area, big lawn and you can bring food. Cool stage definitely going there again!!! read more

We went on a Saturday evening at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. This was my first time attending this event and I loved it. The Chinese Lantern Festival was Beautiful. For us, it was worth the trip. The performances were very entertaining. I encourage to not pass them up. The crafts and artwork are spectacular. I loved the silkwork & paper cutouts in particular. Tips: #1. Enjoy the show but pass on the food. As an Asian food lover, the food left a lot to be desired. The fried rice was an insult to the Chineese culture. I expected something that would represent the culture's cuisine. Hopefully, next time the will be more variety of food options. #2. If you take people with walking limitations, bring a wheelchair. They are not provided & there is lots of walking to do. Also, I encourage you to wear good comfortable shoes. #3. Don't forget your Camera. Something better than your cellphone is worth bringing! IF your phone takes excellent pictures, use that. #4. The shows are 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm. They are all the same shows. #5. Buy your tickets in advance!! They have been selling out and at the booth, there is no guarantee you will get a ticket. It would suck to make the trip and not be able to enter. The tickets are $20 per person. read more

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Do not go to Koka Booth if the crowd is likely to be over 1/2 to 2/3 of capacity. This is a pleasant venue for smaller crowds, but it can't handle large events. Access roads are insufficient, there isn't enough parking, traffic control is poor, concession stands run out of food and there aren't enough bathroom facilities. read more

First time at an event here, in this case the Chinese Lantern Festival, and I have to say I like it, a lot. Great atmosphere, great venue. Concessions and tables were clean as were the walkways around the stage. I already have tix to another upcoming event, so I hope the experience is the same or better with the venue. read more

Went to see Billy Strings. What a terrible venue when sold out - super long queues that were literally 2 miles long on a hot evening. Don't get me wrong - the security, bar and other staff were very nice, but I'd suggest (my opinion) that the sold out concert we saw was filled to over capacity. I'm no expert, but it seemed to me to be so packed that it was a personal injury waiting to happen. Interestingly, the only happy people in there were some who must have brought in some "smoking" items (the air was pretty heavy with weed smoke). I gave two stars for the staff mentioned earlier and also the shuttle bus drivers from the farther parking lots, which were about 2 miles from the venue. The bus drivers appeared to work on the principle of "no man left behind", which was very kind given the heat and the distance. I've been to this venue a few times over the years and always found it not great for the same reason - they pack it so full of people that it's not intimate in any way - I've found that Red Hat is WAY better than this when fully sold out. This is, of course, only my opinion - your mileage may vary! read more

Wonderful family experience!!! This is our 2nd time attending and it was superb!! Bring the whole family!! Have some drinks and enjoy the scenery. The show is absolutely must see!! Venue is outstanding read more

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Today I was at Koka Booth but I was at Symphony Lake. This is where there is a lovely paved trail around the lake. Walk it or run it........it's a great place for a workout. If you take just a small detour, this path around the lake is right at 2 miles. Parking is convenient. It's kind of a hidden gem. read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Have been here several times, though not for concerts. I've been here for Chinese Lantern festival and it's set up nicely. The parking is free which is always great. Bathrooms are easily accessible and clean. I've also been here for a few other events and will definitely return. While not huge, it's easy to find your way around. read more

We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? Well here's mine: Parking: 3 Location: 3 Decor/ambiance: 3 Customer Service: na The Koka Booth Amp. is one of RDU's hidden amphitheater's. You really don't find out about it until you go to book a ticket and realize "where is that"? Its not one of the mainstream Amphitheaters. The Koka Booth Amphitheater is a performing arts venue in Cary, North Carolina. The facility is owned and operated by the Town of Cary. The venue is managed by SMG. Booth Amphitheater is named after the former Cary mayor Koka Booth. KB Amphitheater is located on Regency Parkway in southern Cary, which can be accessed by US 1/US 64 via the Tryon Road exit. The venue holds roughly 7,000 people (don't ask how I know). We normally visit during the Beer Festival and the Chinese Lantern Fest. Parking is always a challenge as you have to park in different office complex parking lots. The location is cool and decor is always nice. Once thing I can say is that its always clean! read more

Love going to the Chinese lantern festival here. Btw, if you're wondering, it's NOT cheaper to buy tickets online versus when you get there. They charge you a service fee of almost 5.00 extra to get your tickets online. The website makes you think you're getting a good deal but for 2 people to purchase tickets there it's 37.00 vs getting it online it's 39.70. The festival starts at 6, so if you arrive at 540, you can easily purchase your tickets, find a great parking spot, and get through the line in minutes. If you can't arrive early, there will be a line you'll wait to get through. Then at that point it would save you time and the 2 extra dollars is worth it to not wait in the ticket line and then have to go in the other long entrance line. Just things I've learned the past 2 times I've gone! Totally worth it though. read more

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We in town to visit family and were treated to the Annual Chinese Lantern Festival. Despite the large crowd, it didn't seem overwhelming and we were able to see the installments with ease and take some amazing photos. Parking wasn't too big of an issue as there were plenty of staff directing traffic and ensuring pedestrians were safe. My only warning is that there is mixed terrain, so if you require a walker or wheelchair or just have difficulty walking in general, please be cautious and maybe seek assistance. read more

Best outdoor venue I've been to in a long time. I came here for a Ziggy Marley concert on Sunday in early October. I booked the tickets last minute, so I missed out on getting a preferred parking pass. However, to my surprise, Koka is a much smaller venue than Walnut Creek (WC), so parking isn't as complicated as the WC. We arrived as the concert was starting and pulled right into a parking spot, seamlessly. The check-in process was smooth. We found our reserved seats on a round table in a covered patio in the back of the stadium, near the concession stand. It kinda felt like I was dining out at a restaurant. There is staff on duty, who were happy to take our drink and food orders, but they weren't pushy, which I appreciated. I noticed three eateries, with food options ranging from popcorn to sandwiches, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. I can't comment on the food, as I didn't order any. The only drawback to our lovely evening at Koka was the fact that there was no monitor to view the concert. My seats were nice, but given that they were all the way in the back, I could not see Ziggy and his band on stage. This may have been the artist's choice, instead of Koka's. Otherwise, Koka is a must-go-to venue spot for your favorite musical artists. Beautiful, cozy and clean. Note, the lawn offers a better view than the restaurant seat at the back. read more

Love the ambience but the food options need to strongly improve for the vegetarian. We need some real protein options and more than just a rice bowl. I planned to get the "veggie nuggets" tonight but then found out they were just cauliflower. Bleh! How about something with beans or chickpeas or eggs? So hungry right now as the soft pretzel and popcorn are not satisfying my belly. read more

Our tickets said the show started at 8:30 but arrived at 8pm to hear the band already playing onstage. I bought my tickets on ticketmaster so this could be their fault. Never saw one word about purses being banned when I was researching the Billy Strings concert on June 25, 2022. Arrived by Uber to be told I couldn't take my purse inside because it was too large. Measurements: Bottom Width: 12 1⁄4" Depth: 3 3⁄4" Height: 11" They did have a purse check and gave me a zip lock baggie to carry essentials in. It was lots of fun keeping track of a zip lock bag all night long because I had no pockets. I've read since that blankets are also banned. We bought two General Admission Pit tickets so we could dance around. The entrance to the pit was insane. There was only one gate in the middle of the venue and they didn't open anymore to let us out when the concert ended. I have been in a near stampede in the past and this venue made me nervous for this reason. They herded us up to the drink platform while leaving which also seemed to have only one exit gate. This is dangerous. The staff was not friendly. They were rude at the ticket check-in when I asked about the start time. "You'll be seeing the band faster if you go ahead and check in" even though I had to go through my purse for essentials and check it in first. I also encountered 2 rude staff members who harassed me for smoking even though I walked far away from the Pit and audience and there were a lot of people smoking all over the place. This is probably Billy Strings fault but the band set up on the far right side of the stage instead of in the middle. Of course there was only room for us on the left. Thank goodness they had a jumbotron so we could see them, but if I'm watching a screen, I might as well have a party at home with YouTube and good friends. The drinks were insanely overpriced. We paid $23.65 for 2 beers, one draft and one can. This was my first and last time at Koka Booth Amphitheater. Billy Strings was awesome. Trippier than the last time I saw him. read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Banned purse! - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Cute, BUT, not enough bathrooms- not even close. Not enough garbage cans....all were full all the time. Terrible traffic getting out. What ever you want to go see, it's not worth being stuck in a parking lot trying to get out for that long. read more

Loved the lantern displays and the show at 8:30 displaying various acrobatic feats. There are a decent array of food trucks, they are a little pricey though. I had hot chocolate from buzzy bakes. They have a retro truck which is silver. They have cool toppings and great quality hot chocolate. My bf got the spiked hot chocolate from one of the stands in the deck area. It was ok but would not reorder. Kettle corn was up to standard as well. The wet grass made it a little hard to navigate. However I'm definitely glad we did this. So many little tidbits of history behind each display. Some displays are like 30 feet tall (I'm guessing, 3rd or 4th floor). Come on out and support this group! read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Chinese lantern festival - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Beautiful venue. You get so close to the performers. It's super intimate. Bring your own chair and have a fantastic evening! You can even reserve a table and get table service. Bathrooms are kinda crazy but most concert venues are crazy. read more

Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Greensky Bluegrass jammin' - Music Venues Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

We came for the Chinese Lantern Festival and found the security process to be overzealous for a family friendly event. The facility does have ample signage up regarding a "no bag" policy, however they note exceptions for a "parenting bag." As a parent with children accompanying me, I felt that my bag should qualify under that distinction. I have multiple items in my bag for my children and I do not think their personal needs are appropriate to discuss with strangers at a bag check. However, the staff required that I explain what was in the bag that made it a "parenting bag" and then they decided if the items I disclosed were what they considered acceptable for my family to need. All the while during this lengthy verbal exchange, my bag was open for inspection and could have been cleared in a fraction of the time. We really enjoy this festival and have made it a part of our family traditions, however we will not be visiting this venue again. We all value security, however privacy and personal boundaries are also important. This venue has lost sight of reasonable and clear policies and is allowing staff to become invasive beyond any security concerns. read more

Second year attending the Chinese Lantern Festival. It's definitely something you have to experience during the holidays with the family. This years display seemed a lot smaller. I thinks it's a little over priced for the space area. Free parking is always a bonus. We attended on Christmas Day, no food trucks were there. The lanterns were colorful and bright. I enjoyed the entrance arch as well as the Chinese Calendar arch way. There was one quick performance on stage. Nice experience. read more

This review is in regards to the parking situation. The Amphitheatre parking is horrific. We sat in traffic for over 30 minutes on the parkway alone last evening on the way to the lantern festival. Few parking attendants and traffic directors were practically non existent. The signage for prepaid parking was confusing and created yet another bottleneck when people got in that lane only to be told it was sold out at the gate. I would not attend another event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Not worth the up front frustration. read more