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

This contest is now closed.

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!

Strong winds in the region resulted in road hazards and event cancellations, highlighting the necessity for caution and preparedness.

Illuminights has canceled the Grand Illumination and the Walk of Lights Trail that was expected to take place on Friday.

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

This sweepstakes will make your Christmas shine brighter than before!

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 2023 Illuminights season is coming to an end.

All Illuminights activities will be canceled on Monday, December 18 due to wind advisories.

Illuminights has been canceled on Sunday, Dec. 10 due to the threat of high winds and heavy bands of rain.

We’re kicking off the holiday season with an exciting contest that’ll make your Christmas shine bright.

Brighten your nights and explore your holiday spirit through a dazzling world of over 650,000 lights at Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights

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.

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

Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism has canceled all Illuminights activities, including the Walk of Lights Trail on Monday, December 26.

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

We’re kicking off the holiday season with an exciting contest that’ll make your Christmas shine bright.

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.

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

We are just days away from Christmas and what a better way to get in the holiday spirit than at Illuminights.

We get a closer look at some of the items featured at Illuminights’ Artisan Christmas Market & Gift Shop.

Make sure to bundle up this morning as lows begin in the 20s across our region of Virginia. Throughout the day, temperatures won’t warm up much. Luckily, winds will be calmer for Christmas decorating.

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 is about to flip the switch on year three of Illuminights.

ROANOKE, Va. – The second year of Illuminights came to an end Saturday night, wrapping up another successful year. People came from across the country, as far as Texas, to see the beautiful lights. From the kid-loved sparkling unicorns to the fan-favorite shimmering river, year two of Illuminights proved to be magical. New light displays and themes made the Winter Walk of Lights look a little different this year amid the pandemic. A bright spot, capping off a dark year and 500,000 twinkling lights done shining for now.

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.

ROANOKE, Va. – Illuminights is truly a winter wonderland experience that’s safe for the whole family, and people from across Virginia came to check it out during its first weekend on Friday. This half-mile walking trail at Explore Park has been transformed with more than 500,000 bright and shining lights. Though it’s only the second year of Illuminights, there has been a slight twist: social distancing. Guests are expected to social distance, wear a mask and pre-register for 30-minute time slots to keep everyone a safe six-feet apart. If you want to see the magic for yourself, register for a spot and buy your ticket online by clicking here.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Opening night for Illuminights is November 25 and this season you can do more than just gaze at holiday lights. It’s become a holiday one-stop-shop where you can have fun, shop and give back. The Artisan Market inside Explore Park’s visitor center is filled with handmade items from more than 50 artisans from across the region. The Artisan Market opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at the same time as Illuminights, but you don’t have to attend the walk of lights to shop. If you’re looking to give back, Explore Park is partnering with Kroger to host a canned food drive at Illuminights.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County is about to flip the switch on year two of Illuminights. The most important thing you need to know this year is you must register ahead of time; you cannot just show up. Organizers are asking folks to go online ahead of time and register for their 30-minute time slot. It is his second season setting up Illuminights. While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much in 2020, Illuminights promises to bring the same family fun back, but this year they will do it with safety top of mind.

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, 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 COUNTY, Va. – Roanoke County leaders say the Illuminights event was a huge success. “We hope it’s going to be a family tradition for area residents for years to come,” Ramsburg said. Brewpub in Explore Park thrivesBusiness was booming just feet away, inside the historic Brugh Tavern, which is now home to the Twin Creeks brewpub at Explore Park. What’s next for Explore ParkRoanoke County leaders are looking at adding even more opportunities for fun at Explore Park later this year. The recent expansion and plans for the future are another sign of growth for a park that has transformed in the last six years.

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.- – '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.