Be Prepared To Be Dazzled!
Over two million lights illuminate the night along Marion’s Mississinewa Riverwalk, leading into Matter Park. The Walkway of Lights is an annual holiday celebration that starts the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs through December 31 each evening from 6pm-10pm. $5 per car per visit donation appreciated. Season passes available for just $25. Visitors to the Christmas City Walkway of Lights can enjoy the many beautiful displays from the comfort of their own car, or by taking a leisurely stroll along the Mississinewa Riverwalk. A brightly lit suspension bridge which stretches 227 feet across the Mississinewa River is a visitor favorite, and children of all ages will delight when they spy giant animated dinosaurs. After you have enjoyed the light display that features 120 displays stretching more than two miles, come in and warm up with cocoa and cookies by our Gift Shoppe fireplace. Browse through the many handcrafted gift items created by area artisans.
Marion Is Christmas City, USA
Marion’s history as Christmas City, USA goes back to the early days of television. In 1965, an Indianapolis TV station visited Marion to broadcast the city’s elaborate holiday decorations during a holiday special. As a result, representatives of General Plastics, a major manufacturer of holiday displays in Marion at that time, copyrighted the phrase “Christmas City, USA” for the city. The company is now known as GP Designs, Inc. and they have remained an important partner as the community’s decorations have evolved into a spectacular festival of lights.
The holiday season begins in Marion with the Christmas City, USA Parade each year. More than 100 units, including bands, floats, and motorized units, make their way along the streets of downtown. Each unit is aglow with hundreds of lights for this nighttime parade. At the conclusion of the parade, Santa Claus makes his very first appearance of the season!
Since 1992, Marion has followed the Christmas City, USA parade with the ceremonial lighting of the drive-through light display. What began as a salute to the 33 countries represented by residents of Grant County has evolved into a holiday extravaganza of lights with a broad range of holiday themes. More than 65,000 vehicles are expected to drive through with nearly 200,000 passengers. In past years, visitors from over 26 states have journeyed to Marion to enjoy the lights.
Map & Directions
From Indianapolis and Fort Wayne via I-69: Take State Road 18 West into Marion and follow the displays and the signs.
From Anderson via State Road 9: Take State Road 9 North to State Road 18 East. Follow State Road 18 East to Pennsylvania Avenue. Go North on Pennsylvania to State Road 18 West (E. 3rd St.). Turn left and follow the displays and signs.
From Kokomo via State Road 18: Take State Road 18 East to Pennsylvania Avenue. Go North on Pennsylvania to State Road 18 West (E. 3rd St.). Turn left and follow the displays and signs.
From Huntington via State Road 9: Take State Road 9 South to State Road 18 East. Follow State Road 18 East to Pennsylvania Avenue. Go North on Pennsylvania to State Road 18 West (E. 3rd St.). Turn left and follow the displays and signs.
