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Illuminights
Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights
Brighten your nights and explore your holiday spirit through a dazzling world of over 650,000 lights at Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights. Travel down our half-mile wooded path while taking in the sights and sounds of the season. Visitors will experience 50,000 new lights, new displays, trail enhancements and family activities.
While you’re here, shop for artisan crafts, roast marshmallows around the campfire, and enjoy additional family activities on select nights. #Illuminights #ExplorePark #CenterInTheSquare
Illuminights is a dog-friendly event and are allowed on the Walk of Lights Trail and Explore Park while they are on a leash.
All proceeds from Illuminights go to support the valuable missions of Center in the Square and Explore Park! Admission Rates
How to Purchase Tickets
* Time slots will be sold in advance every 15-minutes, with strict participation limits. Tickets must be purchased in advanced, no walk-ups. Illuminights Tickets are non-refundable and all ticket purchases are final. If you need to transfer your ticket to another operating night with availability, please call the Explore Park Visitor Center at 540-427-1800 or Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism at 540-387-6078 ext. 0. | November 2023
December 2023
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| Walk of Lights Trail* - Travel down our half-mile wooded path while taking in the signs and sounds of the season. The trail has more than 650,000 lights, dazzling features and photo opportunities. Advanced ticket purchases are required to enter the trail. See the "Admission Fees" tab above for ticket prices and registration information. Click here to purchase your Illuminights Tickets! *Time slots will be sold in advance every 15-minutes, with strict participation limits. | Artisan Market - Start your Christmas shopping early at the Artisan Market beginning Saturday, November 18 at the Explore Park Visitor Center. The market features unique, hand crafted Christmas items from 50 local and regional artisans. Artisan Market Hours: Weekdays: 4 PM - Close Weekends: 11:00 AM Close See the "Admission Fees" tab for the operating calendar. |
| Snowville Miniature Christmas Display - Take in thousands of twinkling lights and miniature Christmas scenes with our new Miniature Christmas Display. This display is open on select nights from 5 PM to Close. | Santa Experience - Santa and his elves are working hard at the North Pole, and he is joining Illuminights in-person on the following dates: December 5-7 and 11-14 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. |
| Food & Beverage - Twin Creeks Brewpub will be open for food and beverage options on Tuesday - Sunday during Illuminights! Click here for operation updates for the Brewpub. Click here for the Brewpub's Illuminights food menu! | Marshmallow Roasting - Gather around the campfire and enjoy a classic Christmas treat! Marshmallows and roasting sticks are provided, compliments of the Town of Vinton. |
| Food Trucks - The following food trucks will be on site throughout Illuminights: Tinker Mountain Kettle Corn (All 33 Event Nights) Grandpa Ike's Mini Donuts (All 33 Event Nights) Media Luna (All 33 Event Nights) The Coffee Bus LLC (All 33 Event Nights) Holy Heaven Cookie Co. (Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30) | Canned Food Drive - Explore Park and Center in the Square have partnered with Kroger to offer a canned food drive at Illuminights. The food drive will be available each night at Illuminights. See more information below. |
Know Before You Go
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MEET LUMI!
Lumi is the new animated mascot of Illumininghts Winter Walk of Lights! He is joined by 650,000 of his light friends at Explore Park during the 33-night event! You will see Lumi in our promotional videos and you might see him during your visit to Illuminights! Click here to watch a short video about Illuminights!
Getting Here
Travelers can access Explore Park (Milepost 115) from the Blue Ridge Parkway North from US220 at Milepost 121, Blue Ridge Parkway South from VA 24 at Milepost 112 or by the Alternate Entrance at 3900 Rutrough Road. Click here for more information, maps and details on how to get to Explore Park! Our physical location is 56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd, and postal address/ alternate entrance is 3900 Rutrough Rd, 24014.
Volunteers
Illuminights relies on volunteers for support roles, with many volunteer shifts available during our operating season. Your organization can be a part of it! Submit an online Volunteer Interest Form with your availability during Illuminights. Once submitted, our staffing team will contact you regarding your volunteer shift. Please note volunteers must be 16 or older.
Artisan Christmas Market - Explore Park Visitor Center
Have you started shopping for the holidays? The Artisan Market at Explore Park has you covered and features unique hand-made crafts from 50 local artisans! Call the Visitor Center at (540) 427-1800 for more information about the Artisan Market.
Artisan Christmas Market Starts on Saturday, November 18th - Open Weekdays 4 PM to Close and Weekends 11 AM to Close
12 Giveaways of Christmas at the Artisan Market
Shop at the 2023 Artisan Market for a chance to win some amazing, holiday gifts from one of our 50 participating artisans! Purchase an item from the Explore Park Artisan Market for a chance to enter and win! The 12 Giveaways of Christmas drawings will take place throughout Illuminights! Call (540) 427-1800 or click here for more information!
Sensory Night - Sunday, December 3rd - 4 PM - 6 PM
llluminights is offering a reduced sensory experience on Sunday, December 3rd from 4 PM to 6 PM for community members that may be sensitive to light and/or sound stimuli! Explore your holiday spirit through a unique experience on our half-mile wooded path featuring over 650,000 lights. Call (540) 772-7529 ext. 2 for more information and to register for Sensory Night at Illuminights!
- Adult Tickets (16+) - $15.00
- Child Tickets (3-15) - $4.00
- One Care-provider will be admitted for Free with a paid admission
Call (540) 772-7529 ext. 2 for more information and to register!
Choral & Musical Performances
Choral and Musical performances will take place on select night below beside the large Christmas Tree in the Brugh Tavern lawn or Tavern Stage and will include traditional, contemporary holiday season selections.
- Wednesday, December 6 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - William Byrd High School Choir
- Thursday, December 7 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Community School Choir
- Tuesday, December 12 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Adam Markham
- Wednesday, December 13 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Adam Hill
- Thursday, December 14 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Charissa Joy
Canned Food Drive
Explore Park and Center in the Square have partnered with Kroger to offer a canned food drive at Illuminights. All donations will benefit The Agape Center Vinton/Roanoke. The food drive will be available each night at Illuminights. The food drive donation box will be located at the Walk of Lights Trail Entrance and Explore Park Visitor Center.
The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is on a mission to help create communities free of hunger and waste. Learn more about Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste foundation.
Illuminights is Proudly Sponsored by the Businesses & Donors Below:
Want to help create some magic at Explore Park this holiday season? Email our sponsorship coordinator