Chicago Holiday Runs 2026 — Jingle Bell 5Ks & Santa Races

Bells on the shoelaces, cocoa at the finish: Chicago's December calendar has 19 holiday-season races for 2026 — jingle bell runs, Santa dashes, and ugly-sweater 5Ks. They're the most beginner-friendly races of the year, built for families and first-timers. The next one up is Jingle Bell Run Illinois on Sun, Nov 8, 2026. Every listing links straight to registration.

• Sun, Nov 8, 2026 Jingle Bell Run Illinois Varies · JingleBell, IL · From $50 5K Road
• Sat, Nov 14, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Western Suburbs, IL 1 S 151 Winfield Road · Wheaton, IL · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Crete Country Christmas 5k Grinch Run Division and Wood Street · Crete, IL · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Santa Hustle Chicago 1410 Special Olympics Dr · Chicago, IL · From $20 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Reindeer Run 5K 2026 DuPage County Historical Museum · Wheaton, IL · From $35 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Rotary Santa Run Walk & Reindeer Dash 220 West Campbell · Arlington Heights, IL · From $10 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 The Village of Norridge 5K Reindeer Run and Kids Dash 7740 W Montrose Ave · Norridge, IL · From $25 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 Santa's Run through the Lights 5K Run/Walk 34W002 Cherry Ln · Geneva, IL · From $13 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 Lemont Frigid 5K 16050 127th St. · Lemont, IL · From $45 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Chicago, IL 1601 N Clark St. · Chicago, IL · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Run for Breast Cancer 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Lakefront Trail (Course Map will be emailed) · Chicago, IL · From $30 5K10KHalf Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Lakefront Trail (Course Map will be emailed) · Chicago, IL · From $30 5K10KHalf MarathonMarathon Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Park Ridge Santa Stroll 5k - Stroll Mile - Jingle Jog 1500 Stewart Ave · Park Ridge, IL · From $20 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Candy Cane Course- Greater Chicago Busse Woods Picnic Grove #32 · Elk Grove Village, IL · From $22 5K10K Road
• Sun, Dec 13, 2026 Festivus 5K Run 101 Broadway · Chesterton, IN · From $10 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Santa Run & Walk 5K/2K | Hometown Happenings First United Methodist Hall · Crown Point, IN · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Catch the Elf 5k & 10k 4000 W 155th St · Markham, IL · From $35 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 26, 2026 A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Lakefront Trail (Course Map will be emailed) · Chicago, IL · From $30 5K10KHalf Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 26, 2026 New Year's Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON Lakefront Trail (Course Map will be emailed) · Chicago, IL · From $30 5K10KHalf Marathon Road

Race-day tip

December races are the best gateway race to give someone: register a friend, then train together through the cold weeks — accountability is the real gift.

Looking beyond december holiday? See every upcoming Chicago race →