The glow of thousands of lights and lanterns is brightening the night sky in Cary.
The eye-catching displays are all part of the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, which has returned after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiatus for the event last year.
The festival officially kicks off Friday and runs through Jan. 9 at the Koka Booth Ampitheatre, but Tuesday night there was a sneak peek of the dazzling outdoor exhibit.
The event it hosted by the Town of Cary, and is in its sixth year. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and town council members flipped the ceremonial switch, giving guests a first look at this year's lights.
More than 125,000 visitors typically attend. The event this year stands to be the biggest yet with over a dozen more lanterns on display than in previous festivals, according to town officials.
Each year, the event offers something new and different in its exhibits, which are curated specifically for Cary to match the town's landscape. Click here for more information.