Illuminated footwear assemblies that durably and reliably enhance user's distinctiveness and safety. The illuminated footwear assembly includes a footwear upper attached to a sole assembly that includes a translucent structural layer sandwiched between a midsole and an outsole. The translucent structural layer includes a tubular aperture that extends along a perimeter wherein an illumination assembly is disposed in the tubular aperture. The illumination assembly includes a control circuit and light sources, such as LEDs, that transmit light through the transparent structural layer. The illumination assembly, including the light sources and control circuit, is fully flexible and encased in a durable, flexible polymer-like material that protects the assembly. A user actuatable switch located on the footwear item is coupled to the illumination assembly to activate and deactivate the various functions of the assembly.