It’s that time of year again – a time to be amazed by the dazzling lights of the 11th annual North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary. From November 21, 2026, until January 10, 2027, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre will be illuminated by thousands of LED lights and strobe lighting, creating a mesmerizing spectacle and sensory overload.
I remember the first time I visited the NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary the moment I walked through a tunnel of white lanterns depicting a story of the Monkey King creating havoc in Heaven and admiring the amazing craftmanship and artistic beauty of the larger-than-life lanterns. It was mesmerizing!
The 2025 welcoming tunnel of orange, pink, and red lanterns was even more mesmerizing. In fact, the lantern displays throughout Koka Booth were probably the best they’ve ever been – deeply layered, mythical, and enchanting. So, if you’re thinking of visiting the NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary and wondering what to expect, below is an overview of our experience. It’s one of the most unique experiences at Christmas time in Raleigh.
About the NC Chinese Lantern Festival
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is a spectacular event and Cary’s signature festival, which blends traditional Chinese artistry with modern technology to create an enchanting experience for visitors of all ages. This popular walk-through festival takes place every year from November to January and helps brighten up the Wake County holiday season. The stunning collection of illuminated lanterns depicts various themes and creates a magical and vibrant atmosphere.
In 2026, the NC Chinese Lantern Festival will be held Nov 21, 2026, to January 10, 2027. There will be a sensory friendly night December 1, which will feature lower decibel music, no strobe or flashing lights, and a designated Quiet Area. The festival is closed on Christmas Day. Get tickets here.
An Ancient Tradition Comes Alive in Cary
While this is only the 11th year of the Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, traditional Chinese Lantern festivals date back 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. Since then, festivals have been celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the last day of the lunar New Year (generally, February or March).
Originally, lanterns were used for practical purposes such as lighting the way and symbolizing hope and prosperity. Over time, the lanterns transformed into intricate and artistic displays, becoming an integral part of Chinese culture and celebrations.
The tradition of the lantern festival has since spread globally, captivating audiences with its beauty and cultural significance. Since its first year in 2015, this NC festival has grown from 60,000 attendees to 2022’s record-breaking 216,000 visitors from all 50 states and six countries! An extra week has been added to the festival this year to cater to its popularity!
The festival is produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc in partnership with the Town of Cary. Most lanterns are made in only one city: Zigong, in the Sichuan province, the lantern capital of China for many centuries.
40 Chinese artisans and performers arrive in Cary early November to set up the lanterns by hand and prepare for the cultural performances held over the duration of this holiday event. Cary is one of the few cities in the USA that host this incredible event. Only Seattle, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and suburban Orlando host the Tianyu-produced Chinese lantern festivals during this holiday season.
Chinese Lantern Displays at the Festival
Each year there is a new theme. The themes are all related to Chinese folklore, tradition, and mythology. In 2023, the 8th year, the themes were: Peach Banquet, Chinese Lore, and Mysterious World. In Chinese culture, peaches mean longevity, health and luck. For extra good fortune, pay attention to the prominence of red to bring good luck into the New Year.
In 2024, the theme was based around Chinese folk tales of the Legend of White Snake, an incredible Jurassic Park themed land, and, dear to our heart, a tribute to the Great Barrier Reef from our homeland. How wonderful that Craig’s parents could see that one!
In 2025, Chinese artisans created 40 new displays. The theme is celebrating a decade of dazzling displays with Chinese culture, mythical creatures and mysterious natures. Expect to see a wide array of lanterns featuring traditional Chinese symbols, mythical creatures, and iconic landmarks.
The intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors make each lantern a work of art, and the displays are strategically arranged to create a visually stunning journey through the festival grounds. Take time to contemplate that each lantern is created by hand on silk fabric that is stretched over steel frames and then lit with upwards of hundreds of LED lights It’s quite awe-inspiring, especially when you see the size of some of them.
No theme has been announced yet for 2026. Be sure to subscribe to our email newsletters so you don’t miss important updates, new finds, news to know, and the best events to attend in our region! 👇
2025 Lantern Festival Highlights
We will update this to 2026 new lantern displays after we attend the media preview. No date set for that yet!
Fantasy Forest
This luminous mountain rises from a ring of glowing trees that stretch all the way to the edge of the amphitheater’s forest. More intricate than ever, this year’s centerpiece unfolds as a whole kingdom of mythical creatures, fantastical beings, and cascading waterfalls. Stay and linger for a while—watch as the creatures come alive and the forest shifts through waves of color.
Bear Monster
While in Fantasy Forest, step on the activation pad in front of Bear Monster. You’ll awaken the illuminated bear – he’ll rise up and share a little story with you!
Golden Snake
Each year, a spectacular Chinese lantern display—often a majestic dragon—floats on Symphony Lake. This year, the tradition continues with a breathtaking Golden Snake, stretching 164 feet long and rising 20 feet high, created in honor of the Chinese Year of the Snake. Good fortune is said to follow those who encounter it… especially when the serpent opens its mouth and releases a billow of steam!
In Chinese folklore, the Golden Snake symbolizes wealth and power, and here its sinuous form creates shimmering, hypnotic patterns of light that dance across the water. As you continue along the path, don’t forget to turn back—its glowing head becomes beautifully framed by flowers and mythical creatures from nearby displays. The 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival was rich with texture, layers, and surprises—be sure to look in every direction!
Chinese Zodiac
A favorite of mine each year is the individual displays of each of the Chinese Zodiac sign. Kids will love finding their sign and learning more about their personality with the information given beside each one. IT changes every year, giving you a reason to return and see how your Zodiac sing changes. I really liked mine this year for my rabbit sign.
There are signs next to each display telling you more of the Chinese lore and stories behind each one. It’s a fascinating way to learn more about Chinese culture, and especially an engaging way for kids to learn.
Magic Frog & the Enchanted Swamp
In the middle of the enchanted swamp is the gentle giant magic frog perched on his rocky throne. Step up to the rock and play the interactive game and see how Magic Frog responds playfully back! This enchanted swamp area is another beautiful space to explore, filled with giant lotus blooms and purple, pink, and blue flowers that continually shift colors. A glowing archway welcomes you into the swamp, and new this year, winding trails lead you deeper into the forest to wander at your own pace.
Be sure to turn around as you walk—the view back toward the Fantasy Forest is stunning. Layers of illuminated lanterns stack and shimmer through the trees, giving you an ever-changing scene to take in.
Magic Deer, Elephants, and the Nine-Tailed Fox
In this same area near Symphony Lake and the Golden Snake, you’ll discover even more breathtaking mythical creatures. One of my favorite displays was the trio of magic elephants—majestic and otherworldly—perched above the lake with their wings fluttering through shifting colors. Across from them, playful baby elephants sit high on nearby rocks, adding an adorable touch to the scene.
The Magic Deer is equally ethereal, standing tall above the twilight forest and shimmering in shades of purple and blue. And don’t miss the Nine-Tailed Fox, whose cascading tails glow and transform as its colors and light shift—its magical form changing right before your eyes.
Butterfly Tree, Big Butteryfly and Garden
The Butterfly Tree and Garden is an enchanting world where butterflies line the footpath and blanket a mythical, luminous tree with shimmering wings that flap and shift through beautiful colors. Set beside a small pond, this display becomes even more magical thanks to the reflections dancing across the water—especially the large butterfly at the pond’s center, glowing through the full spectrum of the rainbow. Its giant wings are visible from every angle as you wander around.
This is one of those displays where you’ll want to linger and look in every direction to soak in the layers of illuminated splendor. I adored this area last year when it featured the Great Barrier Reef—my island home—but this year’s version may have just topped it. These butterflies celebrate the beauty of metamorphosis, reminding us of the magic in transformation.
Interactive Light Displays
Another reason families will love the Chinese festival are the interactive light displays, many of which are geared towards younger children. At the foot of the Chinese Palace are jumping light stations, giant animals with instruments inside, swinging moonlight swings, illuminated seesaws, and fun walkways, you walk through that has swinging lights that give off a mystical bubble aura. The Shadow dancing is also fun (photo at beginning of this article.) You dance away and it projects your shadow on the box for allto see your fantastic moves. Don’t be shy!
Bubbles drift through the air, adding to the mystical atmosphere, while a smoke cannon swirls around you in a dramatic haze. You’ll also find hand-cranked instruments that shift colors as you turn them—an interactive little moment of magic.
One of my favorite stops was the Mirror Maze, where endless reflections created by the interplay of mirrors and light completely disoriented my sense of space. It was probably the best mirror maze I’ve ever experienced—I genuinely had no idea where I was half the time. Trippy, disorienting, and so much fun. There is fun illuminated photo booths set up with angel wings and dragon heads. So there is no need to rush through the festival.
Don’t miss the Chinese Cultural Arts Performances
In addition to the visual feast of Chinese lanterns, the festival often includes live cultural and acrobatic performances nightly on the main stage of the theatre. The performances run for about 30 minutes and provide further insight into the rich cultural tapestry of China. On our evening, we had some beautiful, costumed face-changing mask dance and acrobats spinning around in hoops, doing pole acrobats, and hat juggling dances.
Performances can change each night. In 2024, Cheeky Monkey King came out for a traditional dance, followed by the revered Chinese lion, who danced out in the crowd twerking and entertaining the kids. Kids loved the martial arts performance. Not only do they get to see the quick, athletic moves of the martial arts performers, but they pull a group of kids from the audience up to participate in a short martial arts lesson.
These performances add an extra layer of authenticity and entertainment to the overall experience. Performances are included in admission and occur at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m.
Asian Inspired Eats to Enjoy
The festival also has a variety of food on offer at the cafe with Asian inspired eats. Outside food is not allowed, so if you want to eat, you will have to go to one of the food trucks, which will be on-site Friday & Saturday only.
2025 saw new foods such as delicious chicken pot pie, Sichuan Street pork skewers, firecracker vegetable spring rolls (Craig loved these), dragon fire chicken sandwich, and Chinese donuts. For a sweet drink don’t miss the banana milk and the Baba’s brown sugar – a creamy sweet delight! if you are gluten free, your food options will be limited.
Although you cannot bring your own food, you can bring a factory sealed water bottle, which really ANNOYS me, because I don’t like to drink from plastic water bottles because of environmental issues. Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre allows reusable bottles at other events, so I’m not sure why they don’t for this one. If you are traveling with a group, you can also reserve a private space at the Kona Big Wave Club, which comes with space heaters, tables, and chairs. You reserve for the entire night (6pm – 9pm). Could be a good idea for parties.
Tickets for NC Chinese Lantern Festival
There are several ticket options for the NC Chinese Lantern Festival; Any Night Tickets, Twilight Session, Evening Session, Sensory Friendly Night, and Group Tickets. Ticket prices have increased from last year.
- Any Night Ticket: This is a flexible ticket that allows you to visit when it suits you. They’re $44.66 in advance.
- Evening Session Tickets: these are for a specific date and range from $19.32 -$44, depending on whether you visit on a weekday night or weekend.
- Twilight Session Tickets: On certain nights, the gates open at 4.30pm to allow you to witness Golden Hour over the displays. For this experience, arrive no later than 5pm, and catch the 5:30pm stage performance. Twilight Tickets cost $25.50-$39.50, depending on the day of the week.
- Sensory Friendly Night takes place on the 2nd December, and has both Twilight and Evening Sessions. Tickets cost $16.74-$35.79, depending on the day of the week.
- Group tickets can be obtained for evening sessions only. They are for groups of 20 or more and MUST be purchased in advance. Discounts for groups are offered Sundays – Thursdays, excluding Holidays and the Blackout period between December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027. Contact the box office for discounted fee.
- Children aged 2 and under can enter for free without a ticket.
- Discounts are available Sunday-Thursday Nights for Military, Senior 55+, and College Students (valid ID required).
- Gates open at 6pm each day and close at 10pm, with last entry at 9pm.
- There are no Twilight Sessions on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve and will only have performances at 6.30pm and 7.30pm those days. Gates close at 9pm on these days.
Tips for a great time at the NC Chinese Lantern Festival
- Buy tickets in advance: The festival can draw large crowds, so it’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the entrance. Ticket prices are more if bought at the gate.
- Arrive early: To make the most of your visit and capture the full beauty of the lanterns, consider arriving early in the evening when the lights first come on. We like going right on dusk as it’s fun to see the beautiful lanterns in the closing daylight hours as well as nighttime. For the performances, there is limited seating, so get there early.
- There is no re-entry, so make sure you have seen enough before you leave.
- Leave pets at home. No pets are allowed, except for service animals.
- Avoid weekends and holiday evenings. For lighter crowds, try visiting on the quieter weekdays (and when the weather is a little cooler!)
- Take your time: It takes most guests about 45-75 minutes to view all the display. But once inside, you are not on a time limit so enjoy! Plan a little extra time if you have kids!
- Dress accordingly: The festival takes place outdoors, so check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking through the expansive festival grounds.
- Bring a camera: The lanterns are incredibly photogenic, and you’ll want to capture the magical moments. Don’t forget to bring a camera or smartphone with a fully charged battery.
- The Koka Booth Amphitheatre is a cashless venue so bring your credit cards.
- Explore the entire grounds: The lantern displays are strategically arranged to create a thematic journey. Take your time to explore the entire festival grounds to fully appreciate the diverse range of lanterns and cultural experiences.
- Enjoy the Cultural Performances: Make sure to check the schedule for live performances and plan your visit around them. The cultural performances add depth to the festival experience.
- Sample the cuisine: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try authentic Chinese and international dishes. Consider sharing a few items with friends or family to experience a variety of flavors.
- Carry light: To expediate your move through security, consider arriving without a bag so you can go through the no bag line. Check the bag policies. Small Clutch Purses no larger 4.5″ x 6.5″, Clear Bag policy requires bags no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 9″ are allowed. Medical and parenting bags can be brought in.
- Participate in activities: Take advantage of any interactive activities or workshops offered. It’s a chance to engage with Chinese culture in a hands-on way and make your visit more memorable.
- Parking is free but limited to 1500 spaces. You can pay $10 for premium parking in advance or $15 at the gate.
- If you have mobility issues, the venue does not supply wheelchairs so you will need to bring your own.
- See our Reel of the 2023 NC Chinese Lantern Festival.
Hotels near Koka Booth
You may be visiting from outside of Wake County to attend the Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth. You may want to stay in Cary near the venue. Here are a few hotel options for you.
- The Homewood Suites by Hilton Raleigh/Cary is two miles from Koka Booth and within walking distance to Macgregor Village Shopping. Includes spacious suites, free hot breakfast, free parking, and pet-friendly rooms.
- Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh/Cary is 3 min drive (30 min walk) to Koka Booth and is situated within McGregor Village shopping district. It has free parking, a seasonal outdoor pool, a firepit and onsite restaurant.
- Hampton Inn Raleigh/Cary has free to-go breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and seasonal pool. It is a 3 min drive (30 min walk) to Koka Booth. Also located within walking distance of Waverly Place shopping district.
- Sonesta ES Suites Raleigh Cary: Only a 15-minute walk to Koka, this hotel in Cary offers free-to-go breakfast, an outdoor pool, and spacious suites. (this would be my pick for the walkability!)
More Christmas Inspiration for Raleigh
We have a holiday bucket list with many more ideas for ways to enjoy the festive season in Raleigh. It’s available to all members of our email community. It’s free and I regularly share free checklists, guides, insider tips, personal stories, fun finds and the best events in Raleigh you don’t want to miss. Join below 👇
Here are some other helpful Christmas guides to help you plan your holiday season…
- Best Christmas Light Displays in Raleigh and nearby
- The Dessertery in Downtown Raleigh is an all you can eat cafe filled with holiday treats
- The Raleigh Christmas Parade is an event not to miss.
- See how Downtown Raleigh lights up its streets at Illuminate Art Walk Raleigh
- Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour – one of our favorite holiday events
- Your Christmas Bucket List – ideas for a fun holiday season
- Christmas in North Carolina ideas including the fun Polar Express (for the little kids)
- A guide to Christmas shopping in Raleigh
- Where to get your photo with Santa in the Triangle.
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