Raleigh–Durham Holiday Runs 2026 — Jingle Bell 5Ks & Santa Races

Bells on the shoelaces, cocoa at the finish: Raleigh–Durham's December calendar has 11 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 Raleigh Holiday Half Marathon on Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Every listing links straight to registration.

• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Raleigh Holiday Half Marathon 2401 Crabtree Blvd · Raleigh, NC 5KHalf Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Raleigh, NC 850 Lower Garden Lane · Cary, NC · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k 2401 Grigsby Ave · Holly Springs, NC · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Into the Woods 5K presented by Access Paving and Construction 160 Woodland Grove Lane · Chapel Hill, NC · From $30 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Reindeer Run 5K Central Carolina Community College · Pittsboro, NC · From $10 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Santa's Soccer Sprint TBD · Goldsboro, NC · From $20 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Fortnight Before Christmas 6903 Carpenter Fire Station Rd. · Cary, NC · From $5 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Holiday 5K & 10K at Raleigh, NC (50) 9300 Deponie Dr · Raleigh, NC · From $30 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Jingle Bell LEAP 5K Mile 0 of the American Tobacco Trail - Miracle League Field · Durham, NC · From $20 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 JKL AERO 5K 4913 Professional Court · Raleigh, NC 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Holiday 5K & 13.1M at Raleigh, NC (51) 9300 Deponie Dr · Raleigh, NC · From $30 5KHalf 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 Raleigh–Durham race →