200-foot dragon returns to Symphony Lake in Cary for the NC Chinese Lantern Festival
For the past nine years, Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre has hosted larger-than-life, handcrafted Chinese lanterns.
The N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival lights up for two months to celebrate Chinese New Year. This year’s festival returns with over 40 new displays, performances and activities from Nov. 16 to Jan. 12.
It’s one of Cary’s most anticipated events as the town is one of the few places in the country where people can see the lanterns, each crafted of silk fabric over steel frames and lit with hundreds of LED lights. The art form is believed to have begun in 206 B.C. in the Han Dynasty, according to Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., the group behind the festival.
Each year, Tianyu ships the lanterns from China to Wilmington before they are driven to Cary. Dozens of Chinese artisans and performers travel to the state to hand assemble them.
Last year’s displays included a 200-foot, 9-ton dragon, Chinese mythological characters and scenes from classic Chinese novels. The show’s run ended early last year due to weather damage that sank the dragon lantern in the amphitheatre lake, but it still saw over 216,000 visitors and generated $8 million, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s media partner.
How to get tickets
The Lantern Festival is open every day of the week from 6 to 10 p.m., except on Christmas Day.
On Dec. 3, the festival has a Sensory Friendly Night with softer music, decreased capacity, no flashing lights and access to a quiet area. Tickets range from $11 to $26.
Other tickets available are
- Any Night Tickets: Attend on any night for a one-time use from 6 to 10 p.m.
- Twilight Ticket Experience: Enjoy the lanterns during the “Golden Hour” from 4:30 to 10 p.m.
- Date Specific Tickets: Discounts available for military, seniors, and college students from Sunday to Thursday
- Groups of over 20: discounts are offered Sundays to Thursdays, and children under 2 are free
Buy tickets through the eTix website found through the Koka Booth Amphitheatre website, boothampitheatre.com.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 12:07 PM.