One of the Tar Heel State's favorite annual holiday events is back and brighter than ever—yes, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is returning to the Raleigh area for a ninth time!

Taking place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the festival—which only visits a handful of spots around the country each year—is presented in Cary in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.

The event opened Nov. 16, 2024, and runs through Jan. 12, 2025.

Hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns will be on display, making for an incredible, colorful, family-friendly adventure you can walk through this holiday season.

More than 200,000 visitors are expected to come from across the state to see the glowing pieces of art.

Accessibility note: This event is a self-guided walking tour. Booth Amphitheatre has paved walkways and is wheelchair accessible, including the parking area and entrance. A sensory-friendly night will take place on Tues., Dec. 3.

The lanterns are on hand to showcase the beauty and artistry of the Chinese culture—the art of Chinese lantern making dates back more than 2,000 years, with lantern-crafting skills being passed down from one generation to the next. Today, they're popularly used to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Each lantern at this year's festival was handcrafted and assembled by more than 25 visiting Chinese artisans and performers to our area.

In all, an estimated 2,500 lanterns and more than 15,000 LED lights make up more than 40 distinct displays.

Some new display for 2024 include a towering palace, a dinosaur world, an erupting volcano, a group of playful pandas, a truly magnificent phoenix, a jellyfish swarm and many more (we won't spoil them all!). Most of the displays have movement or interactive features, some will make you laugh and all of them are visually impressive.

Beyond beautiful lanterns, the festival also welcomes a showcase of Chinese culture—nightly stage performances (5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30pm) featuring martial arts, traditional dance, acrobatics, drum performances and more. 

A typical guest may take approximately one hour to walk through the entire festival. Food will be available—crispy spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken bites, wonton soup and more—along with coffee, beer, wine and hot chocolate (adults can get this spiked with Bailey's).

How to purchase tickets for the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is open seven days a week—with the exception of Christmas—into the new year. Tickets are required (except for those ages two and under).

There are several ticket options, generally ranging from $11 to $36. 

Date-specific tickets: If you know the date you would like to attend the festival in advance, purchasing a date-specific ticket is a way to save a few dollars. Ticket prices are $11 for youth and $17 for adults Sunday through Thursday, and $15 for youth and $21 for adults on Friday and Saturday. Note that prices also increase by $2 if purchased on the day of the event.

Any-night tickets: For maximum flexibility, any-night tickets can be purchased for youth and adults for $31 (price increases to $36 beginning Nov. 16) and can be used one time on any date during the festival.

Twilight tickets: For entry as early as 4:30pm (gates normally open at 6pm), twilight tickets generally allow for viewing of the festival during less crowded times. Twilight ticket holders can stay for as long needed (festival closes at 10pm). Tickets are $15 for youth and $26 for adults. Note that twilight tickets are also purchased for a specific date, that prices increase by $5 if purchased on the day of the event.

Tickets are available online or at the box office at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Parking is free at venue-owned parking lots.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary, N.C., 27518.

More upcoming holiday events in Raleigh, N.C.

• Skate the Square at Fenton, Nov. 8 through Feb. 9
• Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting, Nov. 22
• THE DESSERTERY, Nov. 22-Dec. 23
• 80th Annual ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade, Nov. 23
• THE RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater, Nov. 23 through Jan. 20
• Raleigh Little Theatre presents Cinderella, Dec. 6-22
• Wendell Wonderland, Dec. 6
• Classical Christmas with the North Carolina Symphony, Dec. 6-7
• Theatre In The Park presents A Christmas Carol, Dec. 6-8
• North Carolina Master Chorale presents Joy of the Season, Dec. 10
• Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker, Dec. 12-24
• Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade, Dec. 14
• 53rd Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour, Dec. 14-15
• Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concerts, Dec. 14-15
• Triangle Wind Ensemble: The Snowman and Other Holiday Favorites, Dec. 15
• Jim Brickman: Comfort & Joy, Dec. 17
• Christmas with C.S. Lewis, Dec. 18
• Gerald Parker Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert, Dec. 21
• Jeanne Jolly & The Mistletoes, Dec. 21
• Christmas with The Embers ft. Craig Woolard, Dec. 23
• Pure Life Theatre presents The Motown Sound of Christmas, Dec. 27-28