Illuminights at Explore Park is a fun activity for the family in the holiday season. Roanoke is less than an hour from where we live and Explore park puts on a great strolling light show every year called Illuminights. This is a great family friendly holiday event. Grab your light up necklaces and check it out!
Illuminights Tickets
If you want to enjoy this event, you must get tickets ahead of time, especially if you want to go close to Christmas. When we tried to set this up Christmas weekend, all of the slots were taken but we were able to secure one for the Monday night after.
When you buy a ticket, there are times assigned to the ticket. There is not a limited time you can be in the area, but you have an arrival time and this way the paths won’t get too crowded.
Arrival
As you arrive, someone will direct you to parking and there are signs that lead to the entrance. There are several photo ops before you get into the event and another section you will can check out after you go through the lights.
Someone will be waiting for you to scan your ticket and let you in the entrance.
Walk of Lights Trail
Once you go in, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of lights on the path. You will see butterflies, a river of lights, so many animals and zip liners. They try to stay on brand with the park it is located in.
The light display seems unique to me in the theming because I’ve never seen a light display with hikers, canoeing and camping.
Once you go through the first light tunnel, you will see more traditional lights with gingerbread houses, reindeer, and presents. There are even several “snow” machines through the walk to give it a little more of a festive feel.
The next tunnel does more of a light show as you go through and it will make you want to hang out there a little extra and we actually went back to this tunnel as it was a favorite with the kids.
After this tunnel, there is a light show with Christmas trees and some music. This part is mesmerizing if the kids will stay still long enough to watch.
When you get to the end of the path, you are on a hill and can look over all the lights you’ve walked through. Once you leave, you can’t go back in so make sure you have seen as much as you want.
The loop is about a half mile walk through the woods and there are many photo opportunities throughout.
Artisan Market
After you leave, you can head over to the visitor’s center and check out the Artisan market. This is a collection of over 50 local artistans and can be handy for Christmas shopping. We saw many unique items and there was even a beautiful display of more Christmas decorations. I imagine this would be really great if you came on a cold night and wanted to warm up.
Food Vendors
There are several food trucks in attendance at this event. We found several trucks that sell hot chocolate, one that sells popcorn and another one that sells doughnuts. Also, there was a truck that sold some food you could have for dinner.
Marshmallow Roasting at Illuminights
This part is totally free! The city of Vinton donates marshmallows and roasting sticks to the event and you can roast marshmallows by a fire. It is the perfect way to end your evening at Illuminights and if you ask nicely, they might even give you a couple extra!
Have you ever tried Illuminights? Do you enjoy seasonal light displays as much as we do? Here’s some other holiday activities in the area that I’m sure you would enjoy!