OUR TOWN

Joyful, joyful — it’s a busy month in the Triangle! Take in these festive performances, craft markets, light shows and more.

by ADDIE LADNER

Chinese Lantern Festival

All month | 6 - 10 p.m.

Noted

Now through Jan. 8, Cary’s pine-filled Koka Booth Amphitheatre has transformed into an illuminated village of Chinese lanterns in the shapes of flowers, animals and other fantastical designs. More than 40 of the handcrafted lanterns at this annual event will be completely new, some consisting of thousands of LED lights. In addition to walking amid the glowing forms, guests can expect a different cultural performance of dancing or music each night on the main stage. “We take seriously our commitment to awe and delight visitors year after year, so we have some extra-special lanterns and performances planned for 2022,” says William Lewis, Town of Cary cultural arts manager. The experience can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including the VIP (“Very Important Panda”) tour, which delves deeper into the history of Chinese lantern festivals and how the luminaries are fabricated, and a Twilight ticket for early access to enjoy the works of art with fewer people against the setting sun. From $11; 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary; boothamphitheatre.com

Night Of Lights

All month | See website

If it’s true what they say — that the third time’s the charm — then this year’s WRAL Night of Lights at Dix Park will offer even more holiday cheer than the previous two. Fill your car with friends or family to enjoy an illuminated 1.3-mile route through the park’s ancient oak trees and rolling hills, with stops like Glas Studio’s whimsical neon Elf Forest and the bright blue tunnel. There are some new elements to the light extravaganza this year, including a a Holiday Outpost package, where guests can take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and purchase refreshments from the InterFaith Food Shuttle’s The Spinning Plate food truck, and the Igloo Experience, where they’ll spend 45 minutes in a glowing igloo that comes with a festive snack box and carafe of hot chocolate or hot apple cider. From $20; 1251 Goode Street; wralnightsoflights.com

Emma

Dec. 1 - 4 | 2 & 7:30 p.m.

Head to 21st-century Highbury with a comical take on this Jane Austin classic, produced by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s PlayMakers Repertory Company and directed by Meredith McDonough. Emma, a young, self-made matchmaker, prides herself on her successful romantic facilitations — but she’s thrown for