A covering for a skate incorporates a downwardly-directed LED illumination system. The covering is configured to wrap around and/or cover at least the lower portion of the shoe of the skate and may be formed of a flexible material such as cloth, or may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a plastic or the like. The LED illumination system includes a first mount situated on a bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with a skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate and a second mount situated on another bottom side of the covering so as to be essentially parallel with the skating surface when the covering is situated on the skate. Each mount carries a plurality of LEDs so that the LEDs direct emanating light downward onto the skating surface. Circuitry, including a battery, switch and operating components/circuitry/logic, are carried on the inside of the covering and controls the lighting and/or lighting effects of the LEDs. The LEDs may be white, a single color, multiple colors, or any combination thereof.