Roanoke County’s vision for growth is taking shape, with Explore Park at the center of ambitious development plans unveiled during Wednesday’s State of the County Address at Green Ridge Recreation Center, which drew more than 300 attendees.

On November 22nd, around 1500 people went to Explore Park in Roanoke to see all the lights and holiday festivities that could only be provided by Illuminights.

Illuminights is officially lighting up Explore Park for the holiday season, with more than 650,000 lights glowing along the half-mile walking trail

Roanoke County’s popular holiday light show, Illuminights, returns on Saturday, November 22, at Explore Park, featuring new attractions alongside traditional favorites that draw tens of thousands of visitors annually.

Over 650,000 lights are getting ready to dazzle Explore Park. Illuminights starts for the 2025 season this weekend.

We are just 10 days away from Illuminights. It’s back for its seventh year, lighting up nearly half a mile of trail with more than 650,000 dazzling lights. And that’s not all.

Tickets for Illuminights are currently on sale!

Tickets for Illuminights are currently on sale!

Southwest Virginia residents don’t have to wait until October 31st to get into the Halloween spirit, as numerous family-friendly events are scheduled across the region this weekend.

Roanoke County is gearing up for a packed October schedule of fall festivities, featuring everything from festivals to outdoor adventures and Halloween activities. 🎃

Roanoke County unveiled a new sign that highlights the unique local expressions of love and hospitality the commonwealth offers.

Looking for some breezy Saturday fun? Explore & Pour is set to be held at Explore Park on Saturday, September 13!

No, that headline isn’t a typo. Roanoke County has acquired ownership of the historic 1,100-acre Explore Park from the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority (VRFA) for just $2, marking a significant transition in the property’s nearly 40-year history.

Bug out with the whole family this Saturday at Insect Fest — a free day of crafts, critters, and crawling good fun at Explore Park!

Explore Park in Roanoke County is expanding it's trail network to accommodate the United States National Mountain Bike Championships this summer. 10 News anchor John Carlin takes a tour of some of the new trail with an expert rider.

The Tavern Stage Summer Music Series kicked off its second year, last month on Friday, May 9, at Explore Park, featuring the band GAK!. This upcoming weekend, on Friday, June 13, Father Sun will play the second event of the music series; known for their reggae covers and original compositions, they bring an authentic vibe to their performances.

Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism is excited to hold three main events this month!

Treetop Quest is back for the spring, and you can enjoy everything it has to offer with friends and family at Explore Park.

Illuminights is back tomorrow night bringing Christmas to Roanoke a little early this year.

Illuminights, a popular winter wonderland, will soon return to Explore Park with tickets going on sale today.

Roanoke County is set to welcome back a cherished holiday tradition as Explore Park transforms into a spectacular winter wonderland. Preparations are underway for the much-anticipated Illuminights, featuring over 600,000 lights illuminating a half-mile path in the Winter Walk of Lights.

The 14th annual Go Fest is just around the corner, and this weekend, thousands of people are expected to flock to Roanoke to experience what the Go Outside Festival has to offer.

Roanoke County has some special visitors this week.

The 14th annual GO Outside Festival is set to return to Roanoke, Va. from October 18-20 with an expansion that adds a second location at explore park.

It was a creepy crawling good time in Roanoke County today as this year’s Insect Fest took over Explore Park.

The third performance of the Tavern Stage Summer Music Series is happening tonight at Roanoke County’s Explore Park.

It’s summertime, and what better way to explore the great outdoors Roanoke has to offer than getting adventurous up in the trees at Explore Park?

The Tavern Stage Summer Concert Series takes place the second Friday of each month from May through September.

You’re probably wondering where you can watch history as darkness transcends with the solar eclipse this afternoon. If so, there are several places you can go to with friends and family.

The 2023 Illuminights season is coming to an end.

Construction is underway to expand the East Roanoke River Greenway in Roanoke County.

Illuminights is back for its fifth year with new lights and displays full of holiday cheer.

Tickets for Illuminights must be bought in advance.

People are pitching in to help set up 650,000 lights for the fifth year of Illuminights at Explore Park in Roanoke.

Attorney General Jason Miyares’ RV tour is making its way across Southwest Virginia this week.

The USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championship returns to Southwest Virginia this week.

The T-Rex trail is back at Explore Park. This immersive and educational experience takes us back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

A new Summer concert series is coming to Roanoke County at Explore Park.

You and your family can find new adventures at Explore Park for the official opening weekend on April 1st and 2nd.

More than 50,000 people attended this year's Illuminights.

Illuminights has been canceled for Friday, Dec. 23 due to the wintry weather mix that is rolling through our area.

Get into the holiday spirit at opening weekend for Illuminights

With the holidays just around the corner, local festive favorites are making a return. Tickets are now on sale for Explore Park’s Illuminights.

Roanoke County Parks and Rec said the trail is getting 50,000 new lights this year, bringing the total amount to 650,000.

From T-Rex Trails to vendors and music, this event at the Explore park will have something for everyone.

Travel back-in-time this summer at Explore Park's T-Rex Trail.

If you’re looking for fun times, Explore Park is hosting its first adventure of the season.

Multiple projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway will be completed by the end of the year.

Hop on into Tree Top Quest at Explore Park in Roanoke County!

Treetop Quest at Explore parks is opening for the season this weekend.

You only have a few more nights to check out Illuminights before it closes for the year!

Illuminights opens this weekend. There are 100,00 new lights and displays to expierene.

Explore Park is about it flip the switch on the third year of Illuminights, but organizers need your help to make sure the dazzling show goes on.

Roanoke County's largest park got some new additions this weekend.

If you’re having a case of the Mondays, there’s already a reason to look ahead to the weekend!

The summer season is officially underway at Roanoke County’s largest park.

The Roanoke River Bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed for repairs.

Roanoke continues growing as a key player on the mountain biking scene.

Depending on the day and event you can find live music, ziplining, art demonstrations and more at Explore Park but this Saturday it’s all happening at one big event.

If you like driving over the Roanoke River Bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you might want to get in one last ride before it closes. According to the National Park Service, the bridge will be closed from mid-April through Spring 2022. AdCrews will also repair the road failure near milepost 128, starting in the spring of 2022. “We recognize these Roanoke area closures create short term impacts, however we are pleased to know that in the coming years, this section of the Parkway will be restored in ways that will allow for many more years of high-quality visitor experiences,” said Alexa Viets, acting superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Open sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are in blue .

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Daylight Saving Time took effect Sunday morning, which means the sun has risen on Explore Park’s busiest time of year. The Roanoke County park along the Blue Ridge Parkway has already attracted visitors with its new Twin Creeks Brewpub, which opened last fall. The park expects even more visitors when its Treetop Quest attraction opens at the beginning of April. Explore Park program director Ben Crawley said Daylight Savings Time represents the unofficial start of spring and outdoor activities. “The weather is starting to change, it’s starting to get warmer, and it’s a little bit brighter for a little bit longer.

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County’s Explore Park may be expanding its offerings to Bedford County. The park currently has 388 acres in Bedford County attached the more than 700 acres in Roanoke County; however, the Bedford County side has not yet been developed. The proposal for Bedford Village includes trails, a beach, a tubing hill, a gondola loop, fishing access, an alpine coaster, a boat house and a day lodge. To be able to develop the Bedford County side of the property will help to add to that,” said Doug Blount, director of general services and parks, recreation and tourism for Roanoke County. Explore Park is now working with Bedford County’s Board of Supervisors to make the plans a reality.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Illuminights is wrapping up a magical season, but there are still three more nights left to enjoy the second annual Winter Walk of Lights. There are some new additions this year, including fake snow and lights that sync up to the music. Illuminights is put on by Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism and Center in the Square as a fundraiser. “It’s been a great season here at Illuminights this year. We’ve had great reception and feedback from the folks who have been able to come out to Illuminights.”The last day for Illuminights is January 2.

First night of Illuminights kicks off at Explore ParkROANOKE, Va. – The weather outside is frightful and the folks with Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism are advising you to bundle up tonight. Illuminights announced on its website that the holiday lights event has been canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 16 due to inclement weather. According to officials, anyone who purchased tickets for tonight has received an email with instructions regarding their purchase.

ROANOKE, Va. – Illuminights continues to light up Roanoke County’s Explore Park and provide COVID-19-safe holiday fun for families. Organizers are asking folks to bring a couple cans of donated food which they will give it to the Agape Center in Roanoke. This location just opened in the summer and not only doing they minister and mentor those in need, but they also provide food, clothing, and furnishings to anyone who comes by. The executive director, Susan Frase, said one of their favorite things to do is give out birthday baskets to the people they help. “One lady cried and cried, because nobody is going to remember her birthday.

County leaders announced Tuesday that due to Virginia’s new coronavirus restrictions, the opening day for Illuminights at Explore Park will now be five days later on Nov. 25. Anyone who purchased tickets for November 20-24 will receive an email with instructions regarding their purchase. Due to COVID-19 precautions, only advance tickets will be sold for the event, with assigned arrival times, meaning none will be sold at Explore Park. While the park won’t be shining bright until Wednesday, the Artisan Market will still start Friday, November 20, at the Explore Park Visitor Center. It will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 through Nov. 24 and 11 a.m. to close on Illuminights operating days.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – It’s nearly time for Roanoke County’s Explore Park to shine bright. Starting Friday, Nov. 20, it will as bright as a star with 500,000 twinkling lights as Illuminights returns! The hugely popular event is back and isn’t just a safe way to enjoy the sights of the season. All proceeds from Illuminights go to support the valuable missions of Center in the Square and Explore Park. This year, in an effort to keep everyone safe, you’ll have to pre-register to attend.

Roanoke County's Explore Park has some experiences from the tops of trees to the rippling waves of the Roanoke River. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Illuminights is returning to Explore Park for its second season and WSLS 10 is once again a proud sponsor of the Winter Walk of Lights. Crews are hard at work setting up holiday light displays that are sure to dazzle once again this year. More than 500,000 lights will be shining bright with some of last year’s favorites and some new sparklers too. The Winter Walk of Lights will also look much different because of the coronavirus pandemic. Illuminights will also be 15 days longer this year for a 41-night event from Nov. 20 through Jan. 2.

ROANOKE, Va. – Drivers can now enjoy a bit more beauty along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Crews completed repairs after a small slope failure and now, the stretch between the Explore Park entrance and the entrance at US 220 in Roanoke County is again open. Those wishing to drive on the Parkway south of the 220 entrance will have to wait quite a while longer. Heavy rain destroyed part of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 128, about 7 miles south of the US 220 entrance. This closure is due to the 150 feet of the road lost near milepost 128 due to flooding in May.

ROANOKE, Va. – On Sept. 26, Roanoke County Parks and Recreation is inviting you to see how some of your favorite art pieces are made. The sixth season of Artisan Saturdays will begin at 10 a.m. featuring 17 artists. From potters to woodworkers and painters you can stop by Explore Park to watch as they demonstrate their craft. The event was inspired by the idea of showing the community how some of the items in Explore Park’s visitor center are made. Jim Privitera of Earthworks Pottery in Vinton has been part of Artisan Saturdays since it started six years ago.

ROANOKE, VA. – Fall foliage is right on the horizon and each year thousands of people hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see them. But this year, there’s one hitch — the Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed from Explore Park in the Vinton area to Bent Mountain from prior storm damage. Despite that, Roanoke Valley tourism leaders said this might actually be a good thing for the region’s hospitality industry, which is badly hurting from the COVID pandemic. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge President Landon Howard said that could be right in front of Pascal’s door. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge recognizes this plan welcomes people into the region during an ongoing pandemic, which is why it continues to push social distancing, face coverings and strict sanitation procedures.

You’ll head right, as the Rock Fish trail will take you down to the River Walk trailThis trail is mostly gravel but has a few grassy areas on the way down. This is also a hot spot for camping, with easy access to the Roanoke River. Once you get to the bottom of the Rock Fish trail, you’ll merge with the River Walk. The trail is about a quarter mile, and dumped us back out on the river walk. We walked down along the sand near the bank, just off of the river walk trail.

ROANOKE, Va. – This weekend, you can save money and get a free shuttle Illuminights in Explore Park. Starting Friday and running until Monday, you can get a free shuttle from Carilion Riverside Parking Garage and get a $4 discount off gate admission prices. Busses will leave every half hour starting at 6 p.m., with the last return shuttle departing from Explore Park at 11 p.m.Carilion Riverside Parking Garage is located at 1 Riverside Circle and guests are asked to use the entrance facing Reserve Avenue. For more information, visit the Illuminights website or call 540-387-6078.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – What makes 500,000 lights shine even brighter? A visit from Santa Claus, of course! Santa Claus visited the popular Roanoke County holiday lights attraction at Explore Park on Monday night. Santa is available for stories and photos at Illuminights on the following dates: Dec. 16-19 and 23. For more ticket prices, other dates and information, click here.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – To make it easier for people to get to Explore Park and enjoy Illuminights, free shuttling will be available for five nights. Visitors may park in the Carilion Clinic Riverside Parking Garage and pick up a shuttle on Dec. 14, 20, 21, 22, or 23. Buses will depart every half-hour beginning at 6 p.m. with the last return shuttle departing from Explore Park at 11 p.m.Carilion Clinic Riverside Parking Garage is located at 1 Riverside Circle and guests are asked to use the entrance facing Reserve Avenue. By riding the shuttle, you’ll also receive a $4 discount on admission. Those who pre-ordered their tickets have already received that discount.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – The Blue Ridge Parkway will be closing early Thursday due to projected weather, but Illuminights will still be decking the halls. People who still plan on going to Illuminights will have to use the entrance at 3900 Rutrough Road, 24014. Below are directions to Rutrough Road:From Interstate 581, take exit 6 and turn left onto Elm Avenue heading towards Vinton. Immediately take next left turn onto Rutrough Road (Route 658). The service entrance is 3.9 miles the left at 3900 Rutrough Road.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Illuminights are underway at Explore Park! With 500,000 lights, visitors will enjoy this holiday adventure. Our own Rachel Lucas and Jeff Haniewich went out to Explore Park for opening night.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – The final touches are being put on a new holiday light show in Roanoke County. On Wednesday, trees were wrapped with lights and displays were installed. There will be 500,000 lights, holiday music and snow machines in the trees during the 26-day event. Every day here, a few more lights go up at the park," Roanoke County Parks and Recreation Director Scott Ramsburg said. "We’ll be working right down to the end to make sure it all goes off without a hitch.”WSLS is a proud sponsor of Illuminights.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Volunteers are still needed to help light up Explore Park for the holidays. Illuminights is taking over Explore Park for a 26-night event that will deck out the park with more than 500,000 lights starting Nov. 29. Joel Mosca from Mosca Design, the holiday lighting company, said the first challenge was finding the money, then a good location. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Center in the Square and Explore Park. "In addition to getting your [Illuminights] hat and scarf, there are other perks if you volunteer multiple nights," Ramsburg said.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Volunteers are still needed to help light up Explore Park for the holidays. Illuminights is taking over Explore Park for a 26-night event that will deck out the park with more than 500,000 lights starting Nov. 29. Joel Mosca from Mosca Design, the holiday lighting company, said the first challenge was finding the money, then a good location. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Center in the Square and Explore Park. "In addition to getting your [Illuminights] hat and scarf, there are other perks if you volunteer multiple nights," Ramsburg said.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Walking through a magical light display is sure to help your family get in the holiday spirit. On Wednesday, tickets officially went on sale for Illuminights at Explore Park in Roanoke County. This is the first year for the walking holiday light show. Families can walk along a half-mile trail to look at over 500,000 lights. "It's really something magical that will be a holiday experience to make memories for generations," said Scott Ramsburg, the marketing and administration manager for Roanoke County Parks and Recreation.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Roanoke County Parks is taking Halloween to new heights. They are turning the new Treetop Quest challenge course at Explore Park into a thrilling Halloween adventure for all ages. For two weekends you can visit the park to experience interactive ghost stories, puzzles and a giant spiderweb-themed net trampoline. Scare Quest is October 17, 18, 20 and 24-26 at Explore Park at milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 10 News Reporter Megan Woods gives you a sneak peek at this new Halloween experience.

ROANOKE - There is always something fun at Explore Park in Roanoke. Check it out! Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

There is always something fun at Explore Park in Roanoke. Check it out! Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va.- - 'Tis the season, five months early. Roanoke County and Center in the Square announced a new partnership to host an annual holiday light show at Explore Park. Doug Blount says this event will make Explore Park a year-round destination. Roanoke County is preparing for thousands of tourists who will come to the region to walk through the winter wonderland. That's what I love about it," said Wendi Schultz, tourism and events coordinator for Roanoke County.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va.- – 'Tis the season, five months early. Roanoke County and Center in the Square announced a new partnership to host an annual holiday light show at Explore Park. Doug Blount says this event will make Explore Park a year-round destination. Roanoke County is preparing for thousands of tourists who will come to the region to walk through the winter wonderland. That's what I love about it," said Wendi Schultz, tourism and events coordinator for Roanoke County.