North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, NC

View from across the lake

The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has become one of Cary, NC’s most popular events. After last year’s hiatus due to Covid-19, festival goers have flooded back to the event, in large numbers.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Festival Entrance

With only a week remaining, we were lucky enough to score tickets the other night. The festival, located at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre, has seen sold out crowds nearly every day.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Once you enter the festival, you’re led through a massive tunnel of lanterns.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

After exiting the tunnel, visitors are able to choose which way they want to go, as various paths lead you around the wonderful displays.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

The stunning details, and size of the displays, will nearly take your breath away!

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Large crowds gather around the amphitheater stage, to witness live performances.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Well, why would I need to go, now? I’ve seen pictures of the whole thing”…I can assure you, that would be a mistake.

Not only are there many more displays than we’ve highlighted here, the pictures provide no more justice than those of art hanging in a gallery.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Many of the displays, such as the mammoth robot and peacock above, are also interactive. Kids go wild as the robot rises from a crouched position, and the peacock opens its feathers.

Pictured below, is the iconic dragon that’s anchored along the edge of the lake. Undoubtedly, if you’ve seen advertisements for the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, you’ve seen a picture of the dragon. Why is that? Because, you can’t miss it! It’s huge!

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage of this unique event.

If you haven’t been yet, you only have until January 9th, to attend.

Visit the website for more information about the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, and purchase your tickets before its too late!