Groups 20+

Group FAQ’s:

• Must have 20+ to qualify as a group.
• The group rate is for Date Specific tickets only. 
• The venue prefers to send tickets electronically. You have the option to share tickets with your guests beforehand or scan all tickets at once upon your group's arrival.

To expedite entry into the festival, we recommend packing as light as possible. We encourage guests to leave bags/purses at home.

Look for our “No Bag line” at the main entrance. 

Types of bags allowed:

• Bags 6"x 8" or smaller are permitted.
• Clear Bags no larger than 12" x 12" x 9"
• Medical, Parenting, & Camera Bags

All bags are subject to search.   

BUSES: Please let us know ahead of time if you are arriving in a bus of any size.  We need to be able to plan to accomodate bus drop off, pick ups & parking if needed.

PREFRRED PARKING: A limited number of preferred parking passes will be available in advance and the night of the event for $10.00 per car.  When purchasing please make sure you are choosing the correct date you will be attending.

GENERAL PARKING: Koka Booth Amphitheatre has approximately 1500 free spaces available.  Parking is free of charge in Amphitheatre-owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee for parking in their lots.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING: A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate.

For this event, guests are NOT allowed to bring in outside food & beverages (Except factory-sealed bottled water - No glass containers or bottles of any kind).

• Concessions will be open selling a variety of food and beverages during each event. 
• A list of preferred catering partners will be provided to you in the event you wish to cater for your guests. You will be responsible to discuss menu options, payment and other food & beverage needs through your caterer. A list of venue catering partners is set to be released in October 2024.

To expedite entry into the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, we recommend packing as light as possible. 

We recommend no bags. However, if bags must be brought in:

• 6"x 8" or smaller are permitted.
• Clear Bags no larger than 12" x 12" x 9"
• Medical, Parenting, & Camera BagsBags

All bags are subject to search.                                                                     

ALLOWED

• Factory Sealed Bottled water (2 per person - No glass/canned or flavored water)
• Cameras, tripods & selfie sticks
• Tablets
• Blankets
• Raincoats
• Ponchos
• Strollers
• Scooters & Wheelchairs
• Umbrellas

Please Note: All guests pass through metal detectors for most events. If metal detectors are not in use, security will be wanding individuals.

Prohibited items will need to be returned to the guest's vehicle before entering.  

Please leave the following items at home: 

• Alcohol                                                                                                 
• Backpacks
• Bags (Unless clear & approved size) 
• Balloons, Banners & Signs 
• Brochures/Stickers/Handouts     
• Confetti/Glitter                                                                          
• Coolers of any kind                                                                       
• Drones                                                
• Fireworks
• Food & Beverages (Except Bottled water) 
• Glass Bottles of any kind                                                
• Grills & Open Flames                                            
• Illegal Drugs                                      
• Laser Pointers                                   
• Lawn chairs                                      
• Mats of any kind, including yoga mats                                                 
• Noise Makers                                    
• Pets of any kind (Excluding service animals)                                      
• Purses larger than 4.5’ x 6.5”
• Sporting equipment                        
• Tables of any size                                           
• Tarps, plastic sheeting                   
• Tents/Stakes                                                       
• Wagons/Carts                                  
• Weapons of Any Kind (Including but not limited to knives, guns, tasers, chains, studded/spiked jewelry)                                                                                        

• Dedicated represenative.
• A private hospitality area is available onsite if you would like to have a gathering spot and/or cater for your guests.  A $275 fee will be charged if reserving the Kona Big Wave Club “private area”.  Linens, heaters, tables, and chairs will be provided upon request. 
  • Signage with your group name will be placed outside of Private Area for your guests to locate. Please send us your logo or party name prior to your visit so we can print the signage.
  • The Kona Big Wave Club will be available to you the entire night, from 6pm-9pm.
  • A list of authorized Catering Partners will be provided if you choose to have your party catered. 
• Main Gates open at 6pm, however your group coordinator may request early entry to setup private area.

Tips on planning your visit:

• We strongly encourage purchasing tickets before the night you chooses to attend. 
• Lines & wait times may be longer to purchase tickets & to enter the festival on Weekends, Holidays & warm weather nights.
• Please pack as light as possible when attending the festival. 
• Please review the items allowed & prohibited before arriving. 
• Patrons will be walking through the venue to observe the light displays, however, there will be limited seating on the crescent deck for those who want to relax and take in the view!
• Venue food & beverage stands will be open selling holiday treats. 
• Food Trucks will be on-site select night only.
• It takes most guests about 45-75 minutes to view all the displays.

The venue is unable to provide wheelchairs for patron use.  You may bring your own wheelchair or scooter to the event.  Venue walkways are paved and are wheelchair accessible.