Abstract: An illuminating poncho provides the wearer with protection from weather elements as well as illumination. The illumination poncho includes a transparent poncho, a portable power source, a microcontroller, a plurality of light emitters, a plurality of diffusers, and a housing. The portable power source provides electric energy to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is electronically connected to the plurality of light emitters and thus controls their behavior. The plurality of light emitters is optically coupled to the plurality of diffusers. The plurality of diffusers is distributed about the torso portion of the transparent poncho, therefore illuminating various regions accordingly. The microcontroller, the plurality of light emitters, and the portable power source are mounted within the housing. The housing is integrated into the torso portion through a sealable pouch.