Christmas City Walkway of Lights
Christmas City Walkway of Lights
(Photos by Mike Hall)
Cars line up for the auto tour of the Christmas City Walkway of Lights in Marion, Indiana.
Christmas City Walkway of Lights
The Christmas City Walkway of Lights in Marion, Indiana, is a dazzling holiday display spans nearly four continuous miles and features more than 2.5 million lights. Over 120 individual displays run side by side along the Mississinewa Riverwalk from Downtown Marion to Matter Park. The Walkway of Lights is one of the longest running and largest light displays in the Midwest.
Marion, Indiana’s history as Christmas City USA dates back to 1965 when an Indianapolis television station visited Marion to film the city’s elaborate holiday decorations. Marion adopted Christmas City USA as a nickname, and ever since, the entire community has celebrated Christmas in a big way.
The Walkway of Lights was established in 1992 when the holiday displays were expanded north from the courthouse square to the new Mississinewa Riverwalk. While the lights follow the river-walk, the majority of visitors enjoy the animated displays from the comfort of their cars.
The holiday magic continues at the Gift Shoppe located near the end of the trail in Matter Park. Visitors warm up by the fireplace and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
The festivities begin on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The exhibit is illuminated nightly from 6 pm to 10 pm through New Year’s Eve.
The Christmas City Walkway of Lights is made possible each year by the dedicated efforts of local business sponsors and community volunteers.
A Season Pass for the Christmas City Walkway of Lights is only $5 per vehicle. The fee is collected at the toll station on Matter Park Road.
Seven Lords Aleaping are part of the Twelve Days of Christmas series of displays.
A riverboat is created by lights along the Mississinewa Rivers, and the lights reflect in the water.
Do you have a start of a poem, but the words just aren’t right? Go for help at the Poetry First Aid.