You don’t have to drive far to find seasonal festivities, but if you want to make your holidays truly magical this year, consider taking a winter road trip.

While Reynold’s Farm Equipment in Fishers puts on a spectacular holiday light display, those who just can’t get enough Yuletide cheer can keep on driving up I-69 to Marion, aka. Christmas City USA.

The Christmas City Walkway of Lights sprawls along four miles, starting in downtown Marion and stretching along the Mississinewa Riverwalk before ending at Matter Park. A gift shop awaits at the end of the illuminated route, where visitors can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and browse items made by local artisans.

Taking in the 2.5-million twinkling lights will take an hour or two on foot, or visitors can drive along the walkway, with headlights dimmed for optimal viewing.

Light displays range from inspirational — including a life-sized, wooden manger scene and a host of heavenly angels in the night sky — to playful, with penguins sliding down an igloo and elves playing in the snow. The lights reflected in the Mississinewa River are especially breathtaking, including a lighted suspension bridge, an old-fashioned riverboat and a 95-foot sea dragon.

A Nov. 18 parade and “Winterfest” celebration kicks off the festivities, with the Walkway illuminated at dusk. Lights go on nightly from 6-10 p.m. through New Year’s Day. For more information, visit www.walkwayoflights.com, or call the Marion-Grant County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at (800) 662-9474.

If you can’t make it to Marion, drive through the light display at Reynold’s at least once this holiday season. For the 15th year, Reynolds will light up its stretch of Ind. 37 with a free display featuring more than a million lights. New displays are added each year to the attraction, which features illuminated farm equipment, sports scenes, Bethlehem, and even a circus.

All light displays are built on-site, and everyone from salesmen to the general manager helps erect the metal structures.

“Everybody pitches together as one and makes this happen,” said Heather Cosby, who works full-time on the light displays during the holiday season. “It’s like a family.”

When everything is in place, Reynolds Founder Mac Reynolds flips the switch, and a sense of awe sweeps over all who’ve helped make it happen. The lights will be shining at Reynolds from Nov. 21 through New Year’s Day.

If trees and lights get you in the holiday spirit, you may want to head south to Lanthier Winery in historic Madison, Ind. Lanthier hosts its Festival of Trees Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, featuring more than 100 themed trees — from cats to M&Ms.

“There are no two alike,” said Staci Laker-Skinner of Lanthier.

During the event, the winery also showcases its Host of Angels, one of the Midwest’s largest private collections of angels. The holidays at Lanthier also mean seasonal wines. Sample Rudolph Red, St. Nicholas Blush or Snowflake White while you’re there. For more information, visit www.lanthierwinery.com or call (800) 41-WINES.

Of course, few Christmas trees can compare with the giant one created when the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is lit up downtown with nearly 250,000 twinkling lights. The spectacular, day-after-Thanksgiving event draws a crowd of more than 100,000, with entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. and tree lighting at 7:50 p.m.

Those seeking a spiritual experience this Christmas may have to travel further this year, as the annual live nativity at Castleton United Methodist Church has been canceled due to construction at the church.  A road trip to northern Indiana may be the solution for families who want to experience the awesome wonder of the Biblical first Christmas.

The Holy Walk in Bremen, Ind., features a cast of 300 costumed actors, who interact with visitors to this re-created town of Bethlehem.  The event takes place Dec. 1 and 2, with shuttles to the Holy Walk leaving from Bremen High School.  Expect to wait about two hours, enjoying the entertainment in the gym, before being transported to the outdoor site of “Bethlehem,” in the middle of Amish country about two and a half hours northeast of Indy.

Once you reach the site, your family will be given a passport and assigned to a guide, who will take you on a journey to Bethlehem to pay your taxes, just like Mary and Joseph were doing. Along the way, you will encounter shepherds, angels, Roman soldiers, the wise men and even King Herod,  who sought to kill Jesus.

“You really experience what it was like back at the very first Christmas,” said Jan Hebman, secretary of Grace United Methodist Church in Bremen.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with shuttles departing from 6-9 p.m. The Holy Walk involves a lot of walking and exposure to the elements, so dress accordingly. For more information, contact Grace UMC at (574) 546-2042.

While you’re in northeast Indiana, make a stop at Pokagon State Park in Angola for some winter toboggan fun. Up to four people can ride on a toboggan for $10 per hour. The giant sleds race down the track at 35-40 miles per hour.  The dual toboggan track is open weekends from Nov. 24 through February. For more information, contact the park at (260) 833-2012.

If you don’t make it up to Pokagon, don’t forget to have some winter fun at our own Ft. Harrison State Park. Visitors can enjoy one of the area’s best sledding hills or go cross-country skiing on trails in the park anytime it’s snowy. Gate admission is $4 on weekdays and $5 Friday through Sunday.

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