Christmas and holiday runs in the US 2026
December's holiday runs: jingle bell 5Ks, Santa runs and ugly-sweater races, usually short, often in costume, and a good excuse for a winter race. 1,263 christmas and holiday runs in the US. Dates, distances and how competitive each field is.
Most competitive christmas and holiday runs
- 1San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5KSat, Dec 19San Diego, CA5KHalf marathon Very competitive
- 2Pell City Rotary Club Jingle Bell 5K, 10K & Fun Run/WalkSat, Dec 12Pell City, AL5K10K Very competitive
- 3Doral Christmas Race 10K/5KSun, Dec 20Doral, FL5K10K Very competitive
- 4JINGLE PAWS 5K & ELF DASHSat, Dec 12Palm Springs, CA5K Very competitive
- 5Frankfort 5K Jingle Run/2Mile Walk & Kids Mile presented by QC StridersSat, Dec 12Fort Ashby, WV5K Very competitive
- 6Come Home to Alma for the Holidays - Jingle Bell 5K and 10KSat, Dec 12Alma, MI5K10K Very competitive
- 7Catch the Elf 5k & 10kSat, Dec 19Orland Park, IL5K10K Very competitive
- 8Christmas RushSat, Dec 12Kent, WA5K10K Very competitive
- 9Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Naples, FL (52)Sat, Dec 26Naples, FL5K10KHalf marathon Very competitive
- 10The Holiday Half Marathon!Sun, Dec 20Brooklyn, NYHalf marathon Very competitive
Christmas and holiday runs by state
Alabama 34Arizona 19Arkansas 22California 75Colorado 18Connecticut 14Delaware 5Washington, DC 9Florida 179Georgia 59Hawaii 6Idaho 4Illinois 33Indiana 19Iowa 11Kansas 8Kentucky 23Louisiana 19Maine 4Maryland 25Massachusetts 17Michigan 36Minnesota 5Mississippi 10Missouri 25Montana 2Nebraska 6Nevada 6New Hampshire 4New Jersey 24New Mexico 2New York 40North Carolina 64North Dakota 2Ohio 48Oklahoma 19Oregon 9Pennsylvania 44Rhode Island 2South Carolina 22South Dakota 1Tennessee 44Texas 124Utah 10Virginia 46Washington 42West Virginia 9Wisconsin 11Wyoming 3
Common questions
How long is a holiday run?
Most are 5Ks: 93% of the christmas and holiday runs in the US have one. 450 offer a 10K and 215 offer a Half marathon. Many add a kids' run or a 1-mile walk.
Which holiday run in the US has the fastest field?
By past results, San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K in San Diego, then Pell City Rotary Club Jingle Bell 5K, 10K & Fun Run/Walk. Field strength compares the front of each race's field with every other race at that distance.
Where would I place in a holiday run?
Open any race with past results and enter your time: raceIQ compares you with that race's past finishers in your age group. With a free account it ranks every race near you by where you'd likely finish.