Operating Dates

Arrival Times

Activities

• Children's Santa Shop - Let the kids shop for gifts on their own, under the supervision of our staff. Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 only.
• Santa Visits - Santa will be available for stories and photo ops. Dec. 16-19, and 23 only (FREE).
• Edible Art - Decorate holiday cookies with us. Dec. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26 & 29 (FREE).
• Carriage Rides - For an extra fee, enjoy a magical ride on a horse drawn carriage. $10 per person for wagon style seating. $15 per person for a covered Cinderella carriage. Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, 31.
• Marshmallow Roasting - Warm up by the campfire and enjoy a free marshmallow on us! Located to the left of the Taubman Canter. Available every night except when Carriage Rides are running, (FREE).

Food Vendors

Twin Creeks Brewpub is now open most event nights. Concessions and food tricks will be available all nights. General concession items include hot cocoa, cider, stew and hot dogs. Food trucks (various) include Crunch Monkee, Peking House, Cooking Momas, Grandpa Ike's, and Wake & Bacon

Know Before You Go

• Tickets. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or in advance online. Save $4 through online booking. Buy your tickets now!
• Cancellation & Weather Policy: Illuminights is a rain or shine event. Refunds will not be given if the event takes place as scheduled. In the event of extreme weather conditions (such as heavy snow, ice, lighting, excessive temperatures or flooding), Roanoke County will make a decision prior to 1:00 PM the day of the event regarding operating status. If canceled, ticket holders with advance registrations will be notified by email, and may choose between a rain check for another night or a refund. Processing fees for advance registration can not be refunded.
• Parking. Spaces are limited at Explore Park, therefore carpooling is strongly encouraged if possible. Please watch for and follow the directions of our parking attendants. Shuttle parking from the Carilion Clinic Riverside Parking Garage is available on December 14 and 20-23 (see "event shuttle" tab).
• Safety. Staying on the trail at all times is important. Many light displays have electrical chords and support wires, so please do not walk near them.
• The Walk. Illuminights is a little less than a half-mile long. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Strollers & wheelchairs are welcome. 
• Accessibility/Wheelchairs. The Illuminights trail was constructed to be as accessible as possible considering the terrain. It is a 6-foot wide packed, stone dust surface trail with grades of 8% or less throughout. It should be able to accommodate wheelchairs or individuals with limited mobility. We are working to have a limited amount of scooters available for the event. 
• Food and Beverages. Concessions will be available near the Visitor Center or at Twin Creeks Brewpub. Food trucks may be available on select nights.
• Only service animals are permitted at Illuminights.
• Questions. Call (540) 387-6078 ext. 0 to reach our administrative office.

New Event Shuttle - Select Nights
Save $4 Off Gate Tickets

On select nights this month, public shuttle transportation to Explore Park’s Illumnights is now available. Visitors may park in the Carilion Clinic Riverside Parking Garage to pick up a shuttle on the following five nights:

• Sunday, Dec. 22 - Depart 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 & 8:00
• Monday, Dec. 23 -  Depart 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 & 8:00

Guests using the shuttle will receive a $4 discount off gate admission prices, making event tickets equal to advance registration tickets which are $6 for ages 2-14 and $13 for ages 15 and up. Advance registration customers may use the shuttle, but have already received the discount.

Busses will depart every half-hour from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the last return shuttle departing from Explore Park at 11:00 PM. Carilion Clinic Riverside Parking Garage is located at 1 Riverside Circle (24016), and guests are asked to use the entrance facing Reserve Avenue.