Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is one of the best outdoor event venues in all of North Carolina. Located at 8003 Regency Pkwy inside Regency Park, it sits directly on Symphony Lake, the stage faces the water, and on a clear evening the combination of live music, open sky, and the lake behind the performers creates an experience that covered arenas simply cannot offer. The venue runs from spring through fall each year and hosts everything from national touring acts to free community concert series to the NC Symphony's summer performances.

The venue runs over 60 events per year, from April through January, with the NC Chinese Lantern Festival extending the season well into winter. Some events are ticketed, but much of the programming is accessible and community focused. The July 4th fireworks over Symphony Lake are free and draw huge crowds every year. Movies by Moonlight runs through the summer for just $5 a ticket. And each fall through early January, the Chinese Lantern Festival transforms the grounds into one of the most spectacular events in the Triangle.

The Venue and Setting

The physical setup at Koka Booth is what sets it apart. A permanent covered pavilion with reserved seating provides shelter from rain and sun for the front section of the audience, this is where the ticketed reserved seats are for major shows. Beyond the pavilion, a large sloped lawn extends back toward the treeline, giving the general admission crowd a wide, comfortable space to spread out blankets and chairs. The acoustics for an outdoor venue are genuinely good, and the sightlines from most of the lawn are clean.

Behind the stage, Symphony Lake reflects the stage lights in the evening and the setting sun during earlier shows. It is one of those venues where arriving early and just sitting in the space before the show starts is its own reward. The surrounding Regency Park grounds have walking paths around the lake, picnic areas, and greenway connections that make the whole area worth more than just the event itself.

Movies by Moonlight

Movies by Moonlight is Koka Booth's outdoor film series, presented by WakeMed. It runs on Friday or Saturday evenings through the summer with a lineup of family friendly films on the lawn. The format is exactly what it sounds like: a large outdoor screen, the Symphony Lake backdrop, and an audience spread out on blankets and folding chairs as the sky goes dark. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk. Tickets are $5 for ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are free, with a portion of proceeds benefiting WakeMed Children's.

Outside food is permitted for Movies by Moonlight, bring a picnic. The series typically runs four to eight screenings per season. Check boothamphitheatre.com for the current year's dates and film selections.

NC Symphony at Koka Booth

The North Carolina Symphony performs multiple times each season at Koka Booth, including a popular summer pops series that draws some of the largest crowds the venue sees. These are ticketed events, purchased through Ticketmaster or the venue site, and they tend to sell well, so booking in advance is worth doing. The combination of the Symphony performing outdoors with the lake as a backdrop is one of those experiences that is hard to replicate anywhere else in the Triangle.

National Touring Acts

Beyond the community programming, Koka Booth hosts a rotating lineup of national touring acts through the season. The 7,000 person capacity puts it in the sweet spot for mid size touring, big enough to attract real names, small enough that even lawn tickets feel reasonably close to the action. The 2026 season includes Willie Nelson & Family, ZZ Top with Dwight Yoakam, Lauren Daigle, and Blues Traveler with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors, among others. Tickets go through Ticketmaster and boothamphitheatre.com; popular shows sell out quickly so buying early is the move.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

Every November through early January, Koka Booth hosts the NC Chinese Lantern Festival, one of the most spectacular events in the entire Triangle. The festival transforms the grounds with over a hundred hand crafted illuminated silk lanterns, ranging from giant animal sculptures to intricate pagoda displays. The 10th anniversary run (November 2025 through January 2026) drew 249,360 visitors with 22 sold out nights. The 2026 festival is set to return in November with all new lanterns.

This is a ticketed event. Buy in advance, it sells out regularly. The combination of the lanterns reflected in Symphony Lake on a cool fall evening is genuinely stunning. It is one of those events that earns Cary legitimate bragging rights in the Triangle.

Fourth of July at Symphony Lake

The Town of Cary's Fourth of July celebration at Koka Booth is one of the Triangle's most popular Independence Day events. The evening features live music followed by a fireworks display launched over Symphony Lake, the water reflection effect makes it particularly impressive. Lawn admission is free; reserved seating may be ticketed depending on the year's programming. Arrival well before showtime is essential as the venue and surrounding Regency Park fill up quickly. It is one of those events that Cary residents plan their July around every year.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Getting There and Parking

Koka Booth is located inside Regency Park at 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary. Parking lots with approximately 1,500 spaces surround the venue. Parking is free for most events; premium and premier parking upgrades are available for around $20–25. For large shows, arriving 60–90 minutes early is strongly recommended, the lots fill up fast. Rideshare drop off is a solid option for sold out events. The venue is accessible from US 1 (Raleigh Road) and within a short drive of I 40.

What to Bring

• Lawn chairs or a blanket for general admission lawn seating
• Sunscreen and bug spray (especially for evening shows in summer)
• A light jacket for late shows, it cools down near the lake after sunset
• For Movies by Moonlight and NC Symphony events: outside food is permitted, a picnic spread works great
• For all other events: check the specific event's food and bag policy before packing

Food and Drink

Outside food and beverages are not permitted for most events, coolers are generally not allowed. Exceptions include NC Symphony Summerfest performances, Movies by Moonlight, and certain KBA Event Series shows, which explicitly allow outside food. On site, the venue's Cafe and Cobblestone Courtyard offer food and drinks during events. Always check the specific event listing on the venue website before deciding what to bring.

Pets

Pets are not permitted at Koka Booth Amphitheatre events unless the specific event page states otherwise. Service animals are always welcome. Check the individual event listing at boothamphitheatre.com before making plans to bring a pet.

Frequently Asked Questions