The 11th North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival runs Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. It is open nightly 6 to 10 p.m. except Christmas Day, with an early Twilight Session from 4:30 p.m. Children 2 and under are free, and parking in the amphitheatre lots is free.
Dates, Hours and Tickets
| Detail | What the venue lists |
|---|---|
| Dates | Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 |
| Regular hours | Open daily 6 to 10 p.m.; closed Christmas Day |
| Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve | Gates 6 to 9 p.m.; stage shows at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. only; no Twilight Session |
| New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day | Normal hours |
| Place | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518 |
| Ticket prices | Not shown on the festival page; the dollar amounts appear at checkout |
The venue sells three kinds of ticket. Pick one on the festival’s ticket page:
| Ticket | How it works |
|---|---|
| Any Night | Flexible: use it on any night you choose. Gates open at 6 p.m.; arrive by 9 p.m. |
| Twilight Session | Gates at 4:30 p.m.; arrive by 5:30 p.m. Discounts do not apply. |
| Evening Session | Gates at 6 p.m. Discounts are offered Sunday to Thursday for military, seniors 55 and over and college students with ID, but not on Fridays, Saturdays or holidays. |
Children 2 and under need no ticket; include children 3 and older when you buy. Groups of 20 or more get special pricing on Sunday to Thursday nights. The festival lists a Sensory-Friendly Night on Dec 1; Twilight gates open at 4:30 p.m. and Evening gates at 6 p.m.
Parking and Getting There
- Free parking: about 1,500 free spaces in amphitheatre-owned lots.
- Preferred parking: a limited number of passes cost $10 in advance or $15 per car on the night.
- Buses: contact info@boothamp.com or (919) 462-2025 ahead of time if a group arrives by bus of any size.
Rules to Know Before You Go
- Walking festival: you walk through the displays; it is not a drive-through.
- Bags: the venue recommends no bags. It says to leave bags at home if possible and allows clear bags up to 12 by 12 by 9 inches, while its prohibited list names backpacks and bags larger than 6 by 8 inches. Because the two differ, bring the smallest bag you can.
- Allowed: two factory-sealed water bottles per person, cameras and tripods, blankets, ponchos and strollers.
- Not allowed: alcohol, other outside food and drinks, coolers, lawn chairs, tables, drones, laser pointers, reusable bottles and pets (service animals only).
Contact: tickets (800) 514-3849, office (919) 462-2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NC Chinese Lantern Festival in 2026?
Nov 21, 2026 through Jan 10, 2027 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. It is open daily 6 to 10 p.m. and closed Christmas Day.
How much are Chinese Lantern Festival tickets?
The festival page does not list dollar prices; they appear when you pick a date at checkout. Children 2 and under are free. Weeknight discounts apply to military, seniors 55+ and college students on Evening Session tickets.
Is parking free at the Chinese Lantern Festival?
Yes in the roughly 1,500 amphitheatre-owned spaces. Preferred parking is $10 in advance or $15 per car on the night.
What is the Twilight Session?
An early-entry ticket with gates at 4:30 p.m. and arrival by 5:30 p.m. Discounts do not apply.
Can I bring water or a bag?
You may bring two factory-sealed water bottles per person. The venue says to leave bags at home if possible; backpacks and bags larger than 6 by 8 inches are prohibited.
Are strollers allowed?
Yes. Strollers are on the allowed list.
Is there a quiet night for sensory-sensitive guests?
The festival lists a Sensory-Friendly Night on Dec 1, with Twilight gates at 4:30 p.m. and Evening gates at 6 p.m.
Sources
- Koka Booth Amphitheatre, NC Chinese Lantern Festival, checked 2026-10-20
More Triangle events: see Triangle events, the Raleigh Christmas Parade guide and all North Carolina events. For drive times between North Carolina cities, see drive times to 20 destinations.
Coming Up Near Cary
- Pumpkin Patch Express (Museum of Life and Science)On now through Oct 31 · Durham · about 14 mi
- Mrs. Doubtfire (WRAL Greatest Hits of Broadway, DPAC)Oct 30 – Nov 1 · Durham · about 14 mi
- Boo! (Museum of Life and Science)Oct 31 · Durham · about 14 mi
- Dix Park: Instrument Petting ZooNov 8 · Raleigh · about 11 mi
Places Nearby
- North Carolina Freedom ParkState historic site · Raleigh · about 11 mi
- North Carolina State CapitolState historic site · Raleigh · about 11 mi
Straight-line distance from the centre of Cary, not driving miles. Events within 40 miles, places within 25. Dates come from our checked events list and may change; confirm with the organizer.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “NC Chinese Lantern Festival 2026: Dates, Tickets, Parking”, itsnorthcarolina.com/nc-chinese-lantern-festival-cary/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.