Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Great venue! We visited for the Chinese Lantern Festival and really enjoyed the show. Plenty of parking available, very friendly staff checking in/scanning tickets and running security. After entering, we purchased some food and drinks- all actually reasonably priced for an event space. I got a canned bubbly wine for $10 and we also got some onion rings and apple pie dumplings. Nice to be able to fill up without spending an arm and a leg. The light displays and live performances were great too, very entertaining. I would definitely recommend the lantern festival and I'd come here for a concert too!

Amazing experience at this nature based venue. Me and my wife were very impressed with everything from ease of parking to how beautiful the venue was. The show was amazing and even with lawn seats we were so close. This will be our venue of choice!

Koka Booth Ampitheatre is my absolute favorite concert venue in the Triangle. There is something so magical about sitting under the stars and soaring pines while listening to the extraordinary music of some of the most talented artists in the world! I highly recommend Koka Booth to any music lover!

The experience was absolutely amazing! It was my first time attending a Chinese Lantern Festival, and it far exceeded my expectations. The lantern displays were incredibly detailed and beautifully crafted, showcasing a level of artistry that was truly stunning. On top of that, the festival did an excellent job of introducing traditional Chinese culture. The performances were fantastic, and the Sichuan face-changing act left a lasting impression. It was a perfect blend of art, culture, and entertainment!

Absolutely worth a visit. Our party of four bought our tickets in advance for the 4:30 entrance on Sunday, December 1, 2024. We arrived at the parking lot around 4:15. The crowds were light. We watched the first show which was amazing. Thank goodness we bundled up so we were comfortable. We left the park around 6:30 and had no problem with traffic. However, there was lots of traffic coming into the park.

Our second and third show here we showed up much earlier so the trees weren’t in our view as pictured. Getting to be in the pines was magic (and smelled amazing.) Loved being able to bring our own chairs to the lawn! Small purses allowed. Curious turtles in the pond by the smoking section. Shuttles to the gate from the back of the parking lot were readily available! The last star isn’t there because of how incredibly long it took the line to move to get inside… definitely the kind of place you want to show up to with plenty of time.

Went to the whiskey and wine and fire event here and loved every minute of it! Fire tors were fantastic. Food was amazing the wine vendors and whiskey vendors so fun!!🤩

My husband and I attended the 2024 NC Chinese Lantern Festival here in early December. The event was beautiful, had a huge display of varying themed lights/creatures, provided a place to purchase hot cocoa and cool souvenirs, and even had extremely talented acts perform on a stage. We enjoyed the twilight experience because we were able to see everything before and after it got dark out. It was super cold, though. So, next year, I plan to take gloves, a scarf, a winter hat, and a thick, long winter coat. The event offered free parking, but you could pay to park near the entrance. Great Venue. It has bathrooms, a pond you can wall next to, and is quite large.

This is a wonderful amphitheater. We came for the Australian Pink Floyd show and really had a great experience. We will definitely be back for the Lantern display and other cool events. The snacks and bar service were friendly & efficient, the bathrooms clean, and the sound quality were excellent. On a cool moonlit evening, this place is pure joy. Good times with good friends.

They have a bag size rule and I had to walk half a mile back to put up a bag. It was 2 inches too big but then the guy two people behind me they let through with a huge bag. Inconsistent enforcement of their rules. Also, the free parking was not really well labeled. There were signs that kept saying free parking to the right hand lane and then we passed by it because it's actually in the left-hand lane where you have to be to turn.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is not a venue that does well with handling large crowds. I was there for the Chinese Lantern Festival. I arrived early and paid for Preferred Parking so I didn't have an issue finding a spot. Leaving on the other hand was a crazy mess. It took forever to maneuver out through various lots while dealing with incoming cars trying to find a spot in a full lot. When I finally got to the road the cars were everywhere some trying to get into a lot across the street. I cannot imagine how bad it would be with a concert and people arriving around the same time. The venue was too full . I did the Twilight so there were not many people at first but then there were so many it was hard to walk anywhere. Even though the night was sold out, they were letting more people in who did not have tickets for the night in a stand by line. All I know is there were too many people inside with a long line waiting to get in from outside the entrance. While I enjoyed the Lantern Festival displays, the dangerous sized crowds and parking situation will keep me away from returning next year. The stage show had talented performers as well as the music being played by the woman in the center. Food was expensive and not good. I ordered the fried rice with the chicken bites. The chicken part was good but the rice was mushy as it was sitting too long in the container. I didn't realize it wasn't made after ordering. Service was friendly but I can see why nobody else was eating the food other than pretzels and popcorn.

Came here a few days ago for a jazz event. I'm always impressed by how intimate of an environment this place is. It can really bring out the best in the performing acts. The view from the stage looking out into the crowd is awesome as well. The food is decent and the beverage selection is more than adequate. I love coming here to visit, whether it be for tacos and taps or stage performances. Always a great time!

Attending the Chinese Lantern Festival at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre was a cool experience. It was really neat seeing how they created different lantern structures from dinosaurs, to frogs and dragons! On top of that, at the festival, was also live performances of acrobatic dances as well as a traditional Chinese face changing dance called bian lian. Everyone that performed was super talented. Most importantly, you will find food trucks offering a variety of different foods (and even alcohol!). I highly recommend going to this festival!

Great venue! We visited for the Chinese Lantern Festival and really enjoyed the show. Plenty of parking available, very friendly staff checking in/scanning tickets and running security. After entering, we purchased some food and drinks- all actually reasonably priced for an event space. I got a canned bubbly wine for $10 and we also got some onion rings and apple pie dumplings. Nice to be able to fill up without spending an arm and a leg. The light displays and live performances were great too, very entertaining. I would definitely recommend the lantern festival and I'd come here for a concert too!

Been here a few times for concerts and festivals! Love the atmosphere and will be back many more times

We have attended MANY events at Koka Booth over the years and have been Summerfest season ticket holders for well over a decade. The venue itself is lovely, with flexible seating offering good visibility and a setup that provides great sound. THE STAFF, however, manage to detract from nearly every event. From the overzealous "bag checkers" to the aggressive ticket demanders to the officious roaming security staff, every encounter is pretty much overwrought and unpleasant. We stopped buying the way-pricier table seating because of overbearing Koka Booth staff. It's a shame they put such a damper on wonderful events (or as one said of the symphony last night "the play" (what?). Complaining to the box office, the Symphony, or the staff supervisors does no good. The excellent music overshadows the problem, thank goodness, but beware of workers with a tiny sense of personal power.

Koka Booth is a beautiful outdoor venue. I have not attended a concert here but did attend the Chinese Lantern Festival in 2021 and enjoyed how spacious this venue is. I enjoyed some spiked hot chocolate from the concession stand and watched the traditional performances during the festival at the main stage. I look forward to attending a concert here in the near future.

Do you enjoy being hassled? Treated with disrespect? Feeling like you are in an airport? Well Koko Booth is for you. No iced tea through the gate, only water. Only one bottle of water, does not matter if it is 8 oz. Or a gallon size. No sitting on under the awning. No chairs under the awning. No coolers, but maybe coolers. Security must have flunked out the Walmart greeter/guard school, but Koko Booth hired them anyway. Cheers to all !!

Koka Booth is a great place to attend a concert or event. The Chinese Lantern Festival that occurs every year is a must visit. I really liked the food and drink options that they had for it this past year. Sign up for their email communications to stay up-to-date on what is coming here.

Nice overall venue for concerts and other events. Tuesday was our second visit here, the first being in 2016 for the Chinese Lantern Festival. This time it was for the Robert Plant - Allison Krauss concert. Luckily, I wasn't the oldest person in the venue. My date (my wife) was like, "Robert who?" No babe, he was the lead singer for Led Zeppelin not The Who. Growing up we obviously had different musical tastes. No matter where you sit whether it be upfront or in the lawn area, you can still hear the music really well and see the stage. The concession area lines move really quick with fast and courteous service. On this night, there were four food trucks off to the left of the stage near the pond area. We patronized the Charlie Kabob truck. Parking at Koka Booth is fairly simple and easy. There is paid and free parking (while spaces last). The free parking is furthest from the entrance and can be a bit of a walk. Get there early and tailgate to avoid the traffic.

Amazing funnel cake fries, Went to see symphony and there were two violins that visitors could play, amazing cover area, big lawn and you can bring food. Cool stage definitely going there again!!!

The Chinese Lantern Festival in Carey, NC is an amazing experience during the holiday seasons! Tickets on off days are reasonably priced with plenty to see. It provides a unique insight into the Chinese culture while also telling some of the Chinese most infamous tales; such as The Monkey King and other lore. They serve warm drinks and food at the festival if you get hungry. Overall a phenomenal experience and highly recommend for anyone to see.

I love this venue! A first-class outdoor amphitheater with excellent sight lines and sound, which is very important for a music venue. The facilities are top-notch and very well maintained. Food and beverage options are terrific. The staff is very courteous and works hard to ensure that a good time is had by all. Of all of the outdoor venues I've been to, this is my favorite.

Do not go to Koka Booth if the crowd is likely to be over 1/2 to 2/3 of capacity. This is a pleasant venue for smaller crowds, but it can't handle large events. Access roads are insufficient, there isn't enough parking, traffic control is poor, concession stands run out of food and there aren't enough bathroom facilities.

I enjoy seeing and supporting local talent and businesses. I've thoroughly enjoyed every event I've ever attended at Koka Booth. A great event space for all events.

TLDR: Good fairly intimate venue with average alcohol and food sections. Lawn still brings good views, bring a chair, skip it in bad weather. This venue is somewhat dependent on which event and companies are involved hence the negative experiences some people had at a recent popular event. I have only a few check ins here but have been many times for various events and activities. The majority of the time, the staff is organized and it's clear where to park and how to get around. Larger crowds are becoming more common everywhere you may go in the triangle and as such bring some patience and come early. There's very limited covered seating here so plan accordingly if the weather is trash. Okay to bring chairs and blankets. Usually have wine/beer available and a few other small food items. Sometimes events will have a food truck option but usually I've found they stick to the normal concessions. Overall I've always enjoyed the things I've seen here and made a few memories.

We went on a Saturday evening at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. This was my first time attending this event and I loved it. The Chinese Lantern Festival was Beautiful. For us, it was worth the trip. The performances were very entertaining. I encourage to not pass them up. The crafts and artwork are spectacular. I loved the silkwork & paper cutouts in particular. Tips: #1. Enjoy the show but pass on the food. As an Asian food lover, the food left a lot to be desired. The fried rice was an insult to the Chineese culture. I expected something that would represent the culture's cuisine. Hopefully, next time the will be more variety of food options. #2. If you take people with walking limitations, bring a wheelchair. They are not provided & there is lots of walking to do. Also, I encourage you to wear good comfortable shoes. #3. Don't forget your Camera. Something better than your cellphone is worth bringing! IF your phone takes excellent pictures, use that. #4. The shows are 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm. They are all the same shows. #5. Buy your tickets in advance!! They have been selling out and at the booth, there is no guarantee you will get a ticket. It would suck to make the trip and not be able to enter. The tickets are $20 per person.

Went to see Billy Strings. What a terrible venue when sold out - super long queues that were literally 2 miles long on a hot evening. Don't get me wrong - the security, bar and other staff were very nice, but I'd suggest (my opinion) that the sold out concert we saw was filled to over capacity. I'm no expert, but it seemed to me to be so packed that it was a personal injury waiting to happen. Interestingly, the only happy people in there were some who must have brought in some "smoking" items (the air was pretty heavy with weed smoke). I gave two stars for the staff mentioned earlier and also the shuttle bus drivers from the farther parking lots, which were about 2 miles from the venue. The bus drivers appeared to work on the principle of "no man left behind", which was very kind given the heat and the distance. I've been to this venue a few times over the years and always found it not great for the same reason - they pack it so full of people that it's not intimate in any way - I've found that Red Hat is WAY better than this when fully sold out. This is, of course, only my opinion - your mileage may vary!

First time at an event here, in this case the Chinese Lantern Festival, and I have to say I like it, a lot. Great atmosphere, great venue. Concessions and tables were clean as were the walkways around the stage. I already have tix to another upcoming event, so I hope the experience is the same or better with the venue.

Love the ambience but the food options need to strongly improve for the vegetarian. We need some real protein options and more than just a rice bowl. I planned to get the "veggie nuggets" tonight but then found out they were just cauliflower. Bleh! How about something with beans or chickpeas or eggs? So hungry right now as the soft pretzel and popcorn are not satisfying my belly.

Wonderful family experience!!! This is our 2nd time attending and it was superb!! Bring the whole family!! Have some drinks and enjoy the scenery. The show is absolutely must see!! Venue is outstanding

Cute, BUT, not enough bathrooms- not even close. Not enough garbage cans....all were full all the time. Terrible traffic getting out. What ever you want to go see, it's not worth being stuck in a parking lot trying to get out for that long.

Today I was at Koka Booth but I was at Symphony Lake. This is where there is a lovely paved trail around the lake. Walk it or run it........it's a great place for a workout. If you take just a small detour, this path around the lake is right at 2 miles. Parking is convenient. It's kind of a hidden gem.

Beautiful venue. You get so close to the performers. It's super intimate. Bring your own chair and have a fantastic evening! You can even reserve a table and get table service. Bathrooms are kinda crazy but most concert venues are crazy.

Have been here several times, though not for concerts. I've been here for Chinese Lantern festival and it's set up nicely. The parking is free which is always great. Bathrooms are easily accessible and clean. I've also been here for a few other events and will definitely return. While not huge, it's easy to find your way around.

Our tickets said the show started at 8:30 but arrived at 8pm to hear the band already playing onstage. I bought my tickets on ticketmaster so this could be their fault. Never saw one word about purses being banned when I was researching the Billy Strings concert on June 25, 2022. Arrived by Uber to be told I couldn't take my purse inside because it was too large. Measurements: Bottom Width: 12 1⁄4" Depth: 3 3⁄4" Height: 11" They did have a purse check and gave me a zip lock baggie to carry essentials in. It was lots of fun keeping track of a zip lock bag all night long because I had no pockets. I've read since that blankets are also banned. We bought two General Admission Pit tickets so we could dance around. The entrance to the pit was insane. There was only one gate in the middle of the venue and they didn't open anymore to let us out when the concert ended. I have been in a near stampede in the past and this venue made me nervous for this reason. They herded us up to the drink platform while leaving which also seemed to have only one exit gate. This is dangerous. The staff was not friendly. They were rude at the ticket check-in when I asked about the start time. "You'll be seeing the band faster if you go ahead and check in" even though I had to go through my purse for essentials and check it in first. I also encountered 2 rude staff members who harassed me for smoking even though I walked far away from the Pit and audience and there were a lot of people smoking all over the place. This is probably Billy Strings fault but the band set up on the far right side of the stage instead of in the middle. Of course there was only room for us on the left. Thank goodness they had a jumbotron so we could see them, but if I'm watching a screen, I might as well have a party at home with YouTube and good friends. The drinks were insanely overpriced. We paid $23.65 for 2 beers, one draft and one can. This was my first and last time at Koka Booth Amphitheater. Billy Strings was awesome. Trippier than the last time I saw him.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? Well here's mine: Parking: 3 Location: 3 Decor/ambiance: 3 Customer Service: na The Koka Booth Amp. is one of RDU's hidden amphitheater's. You really don't find out about it until you go to book a ticket and realize "where is that"? Its not one of the mainstream Amphitheaters. The Koka Booth Amphitheater is a performing arts venue in Cary, North Carolina. The facility is owned and operated by the Town of Cary. The venue is managed by SMG. Booth Amphitheater is named after the former Cary mayor Koka Booth. KB Amphitheater is located on Regency Parkway in southern Cary, which can be accessed by US 1/US 64 via the Tryon Road exit. The venue holds roughly 7,000 people (don't ask how I know). We normally visit during the Beer Festival and the Chinese Lantern Fest. Parking is always a challenge as you have to park in different office complex parking lots. The location is cool and decor is always nice. Once thing I can say is that its always clean!

Love going to the Chinese lantern festival here. Btw, if you're wondering, it's NOT cheaper to buy tickets online versus when you get there. They charge you a service fee of almost 5.00 extra to get your tickets online. The website makes you think you're getting a good deal but for 2 people to purchase tickets there it's 37.00 vs getting it online it's 39.70. The festival starts at 6, so if you arrive at 540, you can easily purchase your tickets, find a great parking spot, and get through the line in minutes. If you can't arrive early, there will be a line you'll wait to get through. Then at that point it would save you time and the 2 extra dollars is worth it to not wait in the ticket line and then have to go in the other long entrance line. Just things I've learned the past 2 times I've gone! Totally worth it though.

We in town to visit family and were treated to the Annual Chinese Lantern Festival. Despite the large crowd, it didn't seem overwhelming and we were able to see the installments with ease and take some amazing photos. Parking wasn't too big of an issue as there were plenty of staff directing traffic and ensuring pedestrians were safe. My only warning is that there is mixed terrain, so if you require a walker or wheelchair or just have difficulty walking in general, please be cautious and maybe seek assistance.

Best outdoor venue I've been to in a long time. I came here for a Ziggy Marley concert on Sunday in early October. I booked the tickets last minute, so I missed out on getting a preferred parking pass. However, to my surprise, Koka is a much smaller venue than Walnut Creek (WC), so parking isn't as complicated as the WC. We arrived as the concert was starting and pulled right into a parking spot, seamlessly. The check-in process was smooth. We found our reserved seats on a round table in a covered patio in the back of the stadium, near the concession stand. It kinda felt like I was dining out at a restaurant. There is staff on duty, who were happy to take our drink and food orders, but they weren't pushy, which I appreciated. I noticed three eateries, with food options ranging from popcorn to sandwiches, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. I can't comment on the food, as I didn't order any. The only drawback to our lovely evening at Koka was the fact that there was no monitor to view the concert. My seats were nice, but given that they were all the way in the back, I could not see Ziggy and his band on stage. This may have been the artist's choice, instead of Koka's. Otherwise, Koka is a must-go-to venue spot for your favorite musical artists. Beautiful, cozy and clean. Note, the lawn offers a better view than the restaurant seat at the back.

We came for the Chinese Lantern Festival and found the security process to be overzealous for a family friendly event. The facility does have ample signage up regarding a "no bag" policy, however they note exceptions for a "parenting bag." As a parent with children accompanying me, I felt that my bag should qualify under that distinction. I have multiple items in my bag for my children and I do not think their personal needs are appropriate to discuss with strangers at a bag check. However, the staff required that I explain what was in the bag that made it a "parenting bag" and then they decided if the items I disclosed were what they considered acceptable for my family to need. All the while during this lengthy verbal exchange, my bag was open for inspection and could have been cleared in a fraction of the time. We really enjoy this festival and have made it a part of our family traditions, however we will not be visiting this venue again. We all value security, however privacy and personal boundaries are also important. This venue has lost sight of reasonable and clear policies and is allowing staff to become invasive beyond any security concerns.

Loved the lantern displays and the show at 8:30 displaying various acrobatic feats. There are a decent array of food trucks, they are a little pricey though. I had hot chocolate from buzzy bakes. They have a retro truck which is silver. They have cool toppings and great quality hot chocolate. My bf got the spiked hot chocolate from one of the stands in the deck area. It was ok but would not reorder. Kettle corn was up to standard as well. The wet grass made it a little hard to navigate. However I'm definitely glad we did this. So many little tidbits of history behind each display. Some displays are like 30 feet tall (I'm guessing, 3rd or 4th floor). Come on out and support this group!

I can't believe I've never been to this venue! I caught a great show (Toad the Wet Sprocket and Big Head Todd & The Monsters) last night. Clean venue, plenty of lawn space for chairs (bring your own or rent there), finely manicured law (aka no bugs!!) and great lighting and acoustics. Lots of drink vendors and food options. Craft beer was on point - so many options. A tad pricey but the tix and parking were very reasonable. Definitely going back!

This review is in regards to the parking situation. The Amphitheatre parking is horrific. We sat in traffic for over 30 minutes on the parkway alone last evening on the way to the lantern festival. Few parking attendants and traffic directors were practically non existent. The signage for prepaid parking was confusing and created yet another bottleneck when people got in that lane only to be told it was sold out at the gate. I would not attend another event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Not worth the up front frustration.

This is the worst venue in the triangle area. Security arranges the lawn in rows and you don't have a choice where to sit if you arrive early. Then security won't assist you if you are being harassed by the people around you. I told security, when I arrived, that I planned to stand for the entirety of the show and didn't want to be harrased, therefore I has situated myself in the back of the lawn. He told me I could not sit there, that the empty space in the front had to be filled first. So, we moved. As the concert proceeded the people around us began to harrass us, telling us to sit down. Security refused to assist, said if everyone around us was sitting we had to sit as well. The tickets did not say this was a seated show. I will not return to this venue ever.

Second year attending the Chinese Lantern Festival. It's definitely something you have to experience during the holidays with the family. This years display seemed a lot smaller. I thinks it's a little over priced for the space area. Free parking is always a bonus. We attended on Christmas Day, no food trucks were there. The lanterns were colorful and bright. I enjoyed the entrance arch as well as the Chinese Calendar arch way. There was one quick performance on stage. Nice experience.

I went to my first show here last night and really enjoyed it! It really is a beautiful and serene setting. Having the whole crowd sing Jack and Diane with the sunset and the trees lit up on a perfect Summer night was really an awesome experience! For this show they didn't allow blankets which I think was the right call, blankets just take up way to much room. The lawn chairs were really squeezed in there, but that is what you have to expect. I do wish they had a big screen or something, where our seats were we really couldn't see anything happening on the stage. I really liked that they had food trucks available and not just the concessions that are permanently at the amphitheater. It helped with lines and variety! I also liked that you can bring in one bottle of water to save a bit on buying one there. I was actually impressed by how many bathrooms they had, the bathrooms to the right of the stage looked like a venue in and of itself with all the stalls they had. Also a major big plus to me is the free parking! They have ample free parking available which is something they could easily charge for, but don't. Looking forward to going back!

The Chinese Lantern Festival was a pleasant delight to take a casual stroll through the set up. If using a stroller or wheelchair mobility through the terrain and makeshift ramps could be problematic. Attending during the week was not an issue with parking or weather. There were 2 performances. There are some food truck vendors and food in the café. Be prepared for delays while waiting to get food or treats. Another review mentioned arts and crafts for sale but did not see unless they were sold out before Christmas. One downside is people smoking especially with all the pine straw and crowds of people including small children and the impact to the environment. Unless there are designated smoking areas, smoking should not be permitted on the premises. The other safety concern is the displays in or near the water (pond/lake). If unfamiliar and unaware of surroundings children could become distracted and run up to the display which is situated in the water. Plexiglass or warning signs could be set up temporarily for safety.

I've visited this amphitheatre on numerous occasions and have always been amazed with its cleanliness and the organization of everything. The parking is easy, the staff is great and helpful and it's an overall beautiful place with lots of charm. They have onsite concessions and usually most events have other options for food ( ie food trucks or other food vendors). They host a number of various events for people of all ages. My most recent visit was for the NC Chinese Lantern Festival and it was so beautiful and fun. If you've never made the trip to Koka Booth I would highly suggest it.

Won't ever go back. The venue is nice, but the rules are out of control. This was a mostly over 40 (I'm way over) crowd attending a folk music event. They treated us like we were head bangers at a Slayer concert (no offense intended Slayer fans). Drug sniffing dogs, metal detector wands, bag searches. "You still have something in your pocket sir" No, it was my artificial hip. They made me throw away my 2-1/2 inch pocket knife, I also had to remove my water bottle top so I couldn't use it as a projectile. Also, no re-entry, guess I can't go back to the car for a sweater or thermonuclear device. I never realized I was such a dangerous hombre until this event.

Proceed with caution if you are trying to have an enjoyable time at the outdoor movies with your friends or family. In the past I have been to the movies here and it has been great, however, their new policy requires NO bags or anything that could be confused or turn into a bag. No chair bags (single OEM bags that come with your own lawn/camping chairs), no purses, no silverware of any sort, no bags that hold your takeout, even if from sed-restaurant, no bags to hold drinks, food, feminine products, any personal items. While we were emptying all of our supplies from bags, and returning the bags back to the car, along with everyone else, they turned away a young lady who was trying to bring in a sleeping bag (it was chilly in upper 30's that night) since the sleeping bag could be zippered up, it in turn-turns into a bag so it was not allowed on the premises. ALSO, you are not allowed to bring any Tupperware with your own food, no glass, no bottles, no plastic bottles, no bottle openers, and on top of all that, you have to walk through Metal detectors, take everything out of your pockets and have it inspected. They said all this was for covid safety. So may I ask, how does taking in your own items, food, and Tupperware, in bags, help prevent covid? This ruined the movie for us. Carrying every individual item without a bag, that you would be taking to an outdoor movie by hand and was not fun. This invasive process took so long that we actually missed the first couple minutes of the movie. There are plenty other outdoor or drive in movie theaters that are not invasive, and allow you and your family to have a great time. Definitely not this one.

The charm of this venue tucked in behind the Regency Business Park is the natural surroundings. From square one everything is easy. There's ample free parking and it's less than a 5-minute walk to the entrance. Don't feel like walking? They run golf carts to the venue entrance. Security is pretty easy and they offered a check area at the show we attended for prohibited items. It's a nice little walk through the trees to the main venue area. There's plenty of concessions and little nooks off the main paths you can check out. They typically have a seated area in front of the stage as well as a large GA lawn area. Bring a blanket or a chair, which they also rent, and get comfortable. During intermission you can even walk down to the lake. The sound is good and you can see from everywhere. Definitely a great place to see some music, watch a movie, or attend a festival.

This is a wonderful outdoor venue. Easy access, plenty of free parking with shuttles to the gate if you like. Lawn gently slopes to the covered stage which stands in front of a lake. Food concessions are reasonably priced, as well as the adult beverages. Chicken salad is made on site and really is tasty with a touch of tarragon and served on a cranberry bread with lettuce and tomato. You can rent a folding chair for $5 if you don't want to carry one in. Beautiful venue for live music.

Attended a NC Symphony concert there Saturday. Music was lovely, and the acoustics were pretty good for an outdoor venue. So why 2 stars? 1) Security: it's ridiculous! They search every bag, make you take folding chairs out of their bags, prohibit ALL knives, even butter knives (making it challenging to eat a picnic), and then they wand you. Geez! This is more security than to get on an airplane. Clearly, this reflects no actual risk or threat, but says much much more about White fear and White paranoia in the town of Cary. 2) There is no other way to reach this venue other than by driving, so the parking lot is chock full of cars with typically 2 passengers. Why not offer some shuttle services from (say) downtown Raleigh? Alas, I think I know the answer - this is an intentional effort (it's Cary, after all) to make these concerts as exclusionary as possible. And, hey, it's working - the crowd was overwhelming White and 50+. What this means for the future of classical music is another matter...

I came to Koka Booth for the first time duing the beer, bourbon, and bbq festival. There were a ton of vendor tents set up, as well as an abundance of food trucks. The bathrooms were kept up and they were plentiful (I never saw any lines). Overall, I think Koka Booth is an awesome venue! I love how scenic the area has been kept. There are trees all throughout and toward the back of the venue there is a path along with a pond. Everything is outdoors so I would keep that in mind if the weather isn't that great. I haven't had the chance to attend a concert here but I'm sure it would be a lot of fun!

The Chinese lantern Festival was totally amazing. Put this on your holiday bucket list! It's an easy walk throughout the amphitheater to see over 20 different Lantren displays. My favorites were on the water with double the beauty from the reflections. Despite going on a Saturday night, it did not seem overly overcrowded. This is a unique display thru mid January and will be back in 2018 for its third year. Free parking. Tickets for kids under 18 were $10, adults $15-well worth the price! Chinese entertainment was shown during three shows on the stage. Plate spinning, drummer, gymnastics. Plan on spending at least 90 minutes.

A bucket list item for me has been seeing Alison Krauss. An incredible bonus, seeing Robert Plant. My expectations were high. Traffic was horrible. Parking took over an hour and ultimately resulted in going back to the entrance and paying $10. People who worked parking in yellow vests were few and far between and couldn't offer any help. "Where can I park?. "Go back to the entrance and pay $10 or turn right and drive a while and catch the shuttle". By the time we actually got in we were sitting in the pine needles behind trees that should have been cut down years ago. Never really saw the stage. Wine by the bottle with a bag of ice was nice. Beer was easy to buy. Performers were hot, "nice pressure cooker you have built here", said Sir Plant. We were hot, too, but we have paid $70 to see you. They have been touring for 40+ years. It showed. They never recognized the audience No interaction hardly at all. It was a privilege to see them as they are legendary. Between the parking debacle, the lousey site lines at the venue, and the disinterestedness of the artists (they were spot on with their musicianship) , it was a gigantic disappointment. The four of us left before the concert was over. Something that I cant believe I would ever have done having never seen one of my favorite artists in concert, Alison Krauss, was leaving early. Gigantic disappointment. Koka Booth could do better with traffic control. If you are going to pack in thousands of people into a space meant for half that volume, you need a landscape architect to help redesign your space and better traffic control. It was horrible. You oversold the space. So disappointing. My recommendation: watch your favorite artist on YouTube (at least you can see them) or go to a smaller venue like Red Hat.