Cary, NC (January 13, 2025)—The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival ended last night at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. According to organizers, the popular eight-week event, which began on November 15, 2024, set a new attendance record of more than 249,000 visitors this holiday season, compared to around 216,000 in 2023 and experienced 23 sold out nights. This is the ninth year for the festival that Tianyu Arts & Culture brought to Cary in 2015.

Over the eight-week run, visitors from 50 states and 6 countries flocked to see the magnificently crafted lantern displays, each one comprised of meticulously fused metal and hand-painted silks, illuminated from within by thousands of LED lights. The festival also raised more than $9,000 for Saving Grace Animals for Adoption through donations via the website.

The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival will return to Koka Booth Amphitheatre with all new lanterns in November.