Washington, DC Holiday Runs 2026 — Jingle Bell 5Ks & Santa Races

Bells on the shoelaces, cocoa at the finish: Washington, DC's December calendar has 20 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 15th Annual Spend Yourself® 5K Run/3K Walk on Sun, Nov 8, 2026. Every listing links straight to registration.

• Sun, Nov 8, 2026 15th Annual Spend Yourself® 5K Run/3K Walk Columbia · Falls Church, VA · From $30 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Baltimore, MD 1 Safari Place · Baltimore, MD · From $35 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 White Elephant 11617 Caledon Rd · King George, VA · From $30 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Jingle Dash 10K, 5K, and Fun Run 42420 Unicorn Dr · Chantilly, VA · From $15 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Montgomery County, MD 18031 Central Park Cir · Boyds, MD · From $25 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 Candy Cane Dash 121 North Bentz St · Frederick, MD · From $15 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 2026 Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC 1100 Ohio Drive SW · Washington, DC · From $25 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 =PR= Races: Run with Santa 5K 11900 Market St · Reston, VA · From $45 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 Fall Backyard Burn Trail Run - Fountainhead Fountainhead Regional Park · Fairfax Station, VA · From $45 Trail Run Trail
• Sun, Dec 6, 2026 OLD TOWN RUN CLUB JINGLE BELL 5K & KIDS 1 MILER RUN/WALK 4001 Eisenhower Avenue · Alexandria, VA · From $30 5K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Holiday 5K & 10K at Westminster, MD (50) Avondale Park · Westminster, MD · From $30 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Holiday 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Camp Springs, MD (50) 5601 old Temple Hill Rd · Camp Springs, MD · From $30 5K10KHalf Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Holiday Half - Half Marathon and 4 Miler 8100 VA-620 (Braddock Rd) · Annandale, VA Half Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 2026 YMCA Santa Run 5K/10K and One Mile Elf Run/Walk Monocacy Village Park · Frederick, MD · From $16 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Ringing in Hope: Jingle Bell Rock and Run 10K/5K/1M Christian Fellowship Church · Ashburn, VA · From $15 5K10K Road
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Frosty 5K and Reindeer Run 1600 Mine Road · Stafford, VA · From $20 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 13, 2026 Jingle 5K Ohio Dr SW · Washington, DC · From $45 5K Road
• Sun, Dec 13, 2026 Founders Half Marathon North Parking for Carderock Cliffs · Potomac, MD · From $10 5KHalf Marathon Road
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Naptown Half Marathon & 10K/5K 550 Taylor Ave · Annapolis, MD · From $40 5K10KHalf Marathon Road
• Sun, Dec 20, 2026 Frosty 5K & 1K 11895 Grand Commons Ave · Fairfax, VA · From $35 5K 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 Washington, DC race →