The magical North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is here! Featuring scores of fantastic displays, each one made of thousands of LED lights and hundreds of parts, this most spectacular holiday tradition at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre brings in over 200,000 visitors from all over the state and beyond. This magical Chinese Lantern Festival takes place from November 17, 2023 through January 14, 2024. We know you will be captivated by the larger-than-life lanterns that simply take your breath away with their imaginative, artistic, and cultural beauty.
At last, it's that time of year for the most exciting showcase of illuminated lights in the state!
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival takes place in Cary, about a 15-minute drive from Raleigh.
Ninety minutes before opening, enjoy the lanterns during the Golden Hour which comes with the Twilight Ticket.
Among the attractions is an impressive 21-foot-tall Chinese dragon that is longer than three school buses and weighs 18,000 pounds!
You'll find it floating on Symphony Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in North Carolina.
In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize good luck, great power, and strength.
The art of Chinese lantern-making dates back more than 2,000 years, with the art transferred through generations.
The interactive activities at this magical Chinese lantern festival are the most fun, with hundreds of sparkling lanterns you can walk through.
So if you love holiday light displays, you will love this one!
How about a ride on a glowing hoop?
And if that isn't enough, cultural art performances will take place nightly on the main stage.
They feature traditional dance, martial arts, acrobatics, and other amazing talents. Its some of the best entertainment around.
The festival will have your belly aching, but not to worry as food and beverages will be sold on-site.
If you love Chinese food, you will experience some of the best in the state here.
Before you leave, look back at the view and remember how fantastic it was!
For more information and to purchase tickets, check out the Koka Booth Ampitheatre website, as well as the Booth Ampitheatre Facebook page. And you can also download a special Chinese Lantern Festival Learning Guide to provide some historical context to the experience.
Have you ever been to this exciting NC lantern festival? If so, what was your favorite part? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
Looking for some wonderful holiday treasures for family and friends? Then be sure to check out our guide to More Than 75 Of The Best Gift Ideas For The Traveler In Your Life.
For those who love winter hiking, you can find some great trails in and around the area by going to the AllTrails website.
If you’re still in the mood for more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video:
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