Christmas and holiday runs in Illinois 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. 33 christmas and holiday runs in Illinois. Dates, distances and how competitive each field is.
- Sat, Dec 5EIU Holiday Hustle 5KCharleston5K
- Sat, Dec 5Gingerbread 5KBelleville5K
- Sat, Dec 5Holiday HustleStaunton5K
- Sat, Dec 5Lions Charities Reindeer Run 5KWheaton5K
- Sat, Dec 5The Great Christmas Chase 5KLawrenceville5K
- Sat, Dec 52026 Belleville Gingerbread 5K Run/WalkBelleville5K
- Sat, Dec 5Crete Country Christmas 5k Grinch RunCrete5K Competitive
- Sat, Dec 5LCMH * The Great Christmas Chase 5K | Team Santa vs. Team GrinchLawrenceville5K
- Sat, Dec 5Lincoln's Jingle Bell RunRobinson5K Very competitive
- Sat, Dec 5Holiday HustleCollinsville5K
- Sat, Dec 5Reindeer Run 5K 2026Wheaton5K Competitive
- Sat, Dec 5Santa Hustle ChicagoChicago5K10K Local
- Sat, Dec 5Cobden’s Christmas in the Village 5kCobden5K Competitive
- Sat, Dec 5Rotary Santa Run Walk & Reindeer DashArlington Heights5K
- Sat, Dec 5The Village of Norridge 5K Reindeer Run and Kids DashNorridge5K Local
- Sat, Dec 5Santa's Run through the Lights 5K Run/WalkGeneva5K
- Sun, Dec 6Insane Candy Cane 5KBatavia5K Local
- Sun, Dec 6Ugly Sweater Dash: A Holiday 3KBloomingdale
- Sun, Dec 62026 Jingle Bell Run - Kankakee, ILKankakee5K
- Sun, Dec 6Rock Island Rotary Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Competitive WalkRock Island5K
- Sun, Dec 6Hornet Holiday HustleMount Sterling5K
- Sat, Dec 12Candy Cane CourseElk Grove Village5K10K
- Sat, Dec 12Holiday Hilltop 5KShiloh5K
- Sat, Dec 122026 Jingle Bell Run - Chicago, ILChicago5K
- Sat, Dec 12Geneseo Jingle RunGeneseo5K Competitive
- Sat, Dec 12Park Ridge Santa Stroll 5k - Stroll Mile - Jingle JogPark Ridge5K
- Sat, Dec 12Candy Cane Course - Greater ChicagoElk Grove Village5K10K Competitive
- Sat, Dec 12CHRISTmas Ugly Sweater 5KEdwardsville5K
- Sat, Dec 12Single & Mingle Spirits Run Christmas Style 5kWarrenville5K
- Sat, Dec 19Catch the Elf 5k & 10kOrland Park5K10K Very competitive
- Sat, Dec 19Santa Stomp 5K Run/WalkTeutopolis5K Very competitive
- Sat, Dec 19Jingle Jog 5KPontiac5K
- Sat, Dec 26A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTONChicago5K10KHalf marathon
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
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Common questions
How long is a holiday run?
Most are 5Ks: 97% of the christmas and holiday runs in Illinois have one. 5 offer a 10K and 1 offer a Half marathon. Many add a kids' run or a 1-mile walk.
Which holiday run in Illinois has the fastest field?
By past results, Catch the Elf 5k & 10k in Orland Park, then Santa Stomp 5K 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.